Rugby On Balls.ie

It's a huge weekend of rugby and the lads are certainly excited!  On this week's podcast, Maurice and Mick look ahead to two huge Champions Cup Semi-Finals and talk about Leinster's form as well as what a win would mean for Munster as a club. We also caught up with former Leinster and Clermont man Nathan Hines to chat about coaching and his predictions for this weekend's game.  Finally, Maurice hails a brilliant new RFU initiative and proposes it for Irish rugby while Mick reminisces on one of his favourite ever games.  Keep an eye on Balls.ie this week for loads of pre-match coverage. You can get in touch via thegaffer@balls.ie or on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

What a sensational weekend of rugby! On this week's show, the lads discuss a glorious three days of entertainment. We discuss those Jamie Heaslip comments and who really is the best number 8 in Ireland. We also reflect on that Tadhg Beirne incident. Maurice also goes on an almighty rant about some of the reaction to Toulouse's red card!  We caught up with former Connacht fan favourite Jake Heenan on life in Bristol, working with Pat Lam and John Muldoon and why coaching isn't for him.  Finally, the lads discuss the New Zealand player exodus and ask who could be the next Ireland backs coach?  Do rate and review the podcast if you enjoy it and get in touch on Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @ballsdotie!  See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Mick is back! On this week's show, the lads look at the new World Rugby rule trials (04:34)  and discuss whether they are really necessary. We also caught up with former Munster academy man Steven McMahon who is currently in his second year with Carcassonne (15:33). He was fascinating on Munster rugby, problems in France and developing players.  Finally, the boys picked two potential bolters for the Ireland World Cup squad (35:11) and chatted Champions Cup quarter-finals (42:40).  Please rate and review the podcast, subscribe via 'Balls.ie' on all good platforms and get in touch via Twitter, Facebook or Instagram @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Former Connacht prop and now coach with Hong Kong rugby union Brett Wilkinson joined us to discuss his move to Asia, the transition from playing to coaching, Dan McFarland and Ireland's Six Nations campaign!  Also, the lads picked the World Cup squad we expect to see next September and debated the Simon Zebo question.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch on Facebook, Instagram or Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Josh Gardner from the Blood and Mud podcast rejoins us to talk about what awaits Ireland in Cardiff on Saturday. They are one game away from the Grand Slam despite not having scored a bonus point in the competition so far. So, how good are they? And how affected have they been by the political mess going in Welsh rugby right now?  Ireland got things back on track against France. Maurice analyses some of the best Irish play and we look at what team we'd like to see line out in Cardiff.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

As the plans of World Rugby for a new World League are leaked to much outrage across the rugby world, New Zealand based rugby writer Paul Baines (@drivingmaul) joins us to discuss the real reasons this is being considered and to tell us that the numbers really don't add up.  We also pick the Ireland team we'd like to see start vs. France on Sunday and discuss another massive weekend for Connacht.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland's trip to Rome yielded 5 points but not the performance we wanted. What is wrong with Ireland? We also look back on a classic between Wales and England.  We catch up with former AIL Out-Half Alan Kingsley, now making a career in coaching. Alan is the kicking and skills coach for the Dragons. We talk to him about coaching trends, the kicking game that has dominated the Six Nations and about his own career.  We also bring you our latest rolling team of the Six Nations with four changes this week.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Six Nations is back this weekend with Ireland in Rome. Maurice is advocating an experimental lineup for the game on Sunday with an eye to the World Cup, though we're not sure Joe will agree.  We catch up with former Munster No. 8 Paddy Butler who's making his way in the mini Irish revolution at Pau, tearing it up in Top 14 rugby. He talks to us about the opportunities for Irish players abroad and about the current state of French international rugby.  We also discuss the impressive form of Connacht and Ma'a Nonu's return to Super Rugby.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

EXTRA SHOW ALERT!  For our second show this week, we talk to former Munster and current Wasps assistant coach Ian Costello in a wide ranging discussion about coaching and the current trends in rugby tactics.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

It was a case of job done for Ireland in Murrayfield at the weekend, even if it wasn't the most spectacular of performances again. We chat about what Ireland need to change between now and the rest of the Six Nations.  We also continue our series with Irish rugby players abroad. Max McFarland is a former Clongowes Senior Cup and Leinster academy player who is now a fully fledged Sevens international... for Scotland. We talk about how it all came about and about the fascinating and ever growing World Sevens Series.  Maurice also has a couple of changes in his rolling team of the Six Nations and we talk about why France are such a mess.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instragram, and Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Ireland Six Nations didn't get off to the start we expected. We review a brilliant England display at the Aviva and ask what went wrong for Ireland.  Moving on, what do Ireland need to do to make sure this was a one off? We look at the team Joe will pick for Scotland, and the one he should pick!  In a week when he got involved in a Twitter spat with Austin Healey, Josh Gardner of the Blood and Mud Podcast and RugbyShirtWatch.com talks to us about why pundits need to take illegal physicality in rugby more seriously, looks ahead to the massive Wales England clash in a few weeks, and analyses this year's Six Nations jerseys.  Also, we take a look back on the Ireland Under 20s' massive win in Cork and the return of Maurice's Rolling Team of the Six Natons.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instragram, and Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

The Six Nations is almost here. On Saturday, Ireland start their Grand Slam defence was the old enemy come to Dublin. What of England though? Has Eddie Jones turned things around? Is there a sting in their tail this season? We talk to Charlie Morgan of the Telegraph to get all the latest on how the English team are faring before their visit to the Aviva Stadium.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instragram, and Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our new rugby show gets an outside perspective on Irish rugby and the game in general.  Joe Schmidt is leaving and we're all very sad. Before he goes though, we have a Six Nations and a World Cup to look forward to. This week, we have a look at how the Six Nations are looking through the prism of the November Internationals.  We take a close look at Wales with Ben James of Walesonline, following their phenomenal autumn, winning four from four, meaning it's 9 wins in a row for Warren Gatland's team.  We also present to you our final team Of The November Internationals.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instragram, and Twitter @ballsdotie. See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our new rugby show gets an outside perspective on Irish rugby and the game in general.  Are Ireland the best team in the world? After our historic win against the All Blacks, the New Zealand media certainly seems to think so. We catch up with Tony Johnson of Sky TV New Zealand for his perspective.  We also present to you our Rolling Team Of The November Internationals and a little more besides.  If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instragram, and Twitter @ballsdotie.   See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.

Our brand new rugby show gets an outside perspective on Irish rugby.  This week we talk to Gregor Paul of the New Zealand Herald and Sean Maloney of Fox Sports Australia to talk about the November Internationals, Cheika under pressure, the All Blacks' fallibility and countdown to 1 vs. 2 in the world next Saturday night in Dublin.  We also present to you our Rolling Team Of The November Internationals and have a small little rant about a correct offside call! If you enjoy the show, please rate and leave a comment. Get in touch with us on Facebook, Instragram, and Twitter @ballsdotie.     See omnystudio.com/listener for privacy information.