Who has been added to Ireland’s Six Nations squad and why?
After the first fallow weekend, the Six Nations kicks back into gear this week with Ireland travelling to Cardiff. However, across the first two rounds of the tournament, Ireland have ranked second bottom of all six teams for lineout success rate. This fits in with the narrative of the Irish coaches battling to fix a set-piece which hasn’t always fired. Devin Toner was Leinster and Ireland’s lineout guru during his playing days. He joins Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns to look back at how he became such an effective set-piece specialist. Who was the best lineout operator he worked with? Do Ireland’s current lineout aficionados have the knowledge required to form a quality set piece? How do Ireland still have success as the lineout numbers remain less than ideal? We also hear from John O’Sullivan on the weekend’s rugby news. All four provinces were in action with Leinster, Munster and Connacht winning - Ulster lost on the road to Benetton - while there is also some international news. A number of new players have been called into the Six Nations squad, while the Ireland A group to take on England in Bristol has also been revealed.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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31:53
Will a new coach bounce for Wales cause Ireland problems?
This week brought the news that Warren Gatland is no longer head coach of Wales. Given their recent 14-match losing run, that Gatland could not continue will be no surprise to many, but the timing, coming midway through the Six Nations, has raised questions. Simon Thomas is a Welsh rugby journalist. He joins Nathan Johns to explain where it all went wrong for Gatland - who of course coached Ireland as well once upon a time. We pick through puzzling tactical decisions, the lack of talent coming through the Welsh pathway plus the future of professional rugby in the country. Is Gatland’s legacy with Wales tarnished? The country’s growing apathy towards their national team also comes up for discussion, with the runners and riders for Gatland’s replacement thrown in for good measure. One name, familiar to Irish fans, will be of particular interest.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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31:20
Ireland’s Scottish win has all roads leading to France
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through Ireland’s comfortable victory over Scotland at Murrayfield. Are Ireland the most psychologically resilient side in the Six Nations? Will Scotland ever get over their Irish hoodoo? Might things have looked different if Finn Russell and Darcy Graham avoided injury? The panel explain how Ireland’s game plan dismantled Scotland’s dangerous attack, withstanding a handful of counter-punches to once again assert their superiority. With the Six Nations now heading into a rest week, Ireland’s impressive form under Simon Easterby is analysed, alongside their chances of securing a Grand Slam. Elsewhere, we pick through Wales’ ongoing decline after their defeat to Italy. France’s implosion in Twickenham is also up for discussion; have we finally seen Antoine Dupont show his human side? Finally, what of the Ireland U20s, who got their Six Nations campaign back on track with victory over Scotland?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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38:41
How do Ireland avoid a Scottish banana skin?
Ireland have not lost to Scotland since 2017, but it seems every year since then the Scots feel closer and closer to ending their hoodoo. Will this year finally be their time? Nigel Carolan is an Irishman on the inside of Scottish rugby. Originally from Galway, he coached Ireland U20s before becoming Glasgow Warriors’ attack coach. Working with the likes of Huw Jones, Stafford MacDowall and Sione Tuipulotu on a daily basis, he offers unrivalled insight into what makes this dangerous Scottish attack click. Alongside Irish Times sportswriter John O’Sullivan, Carolan analyses how Ireland might stop Scotland’s backline, as well as how the Irish attack, much improved against England, might break through the Scottish wall. Gerry Thornley joins us later in the podcast to react to the surprise Ireland team selection, with Peter O’Mahony named to start as he resumes his rivalry with Scottish teams. Fresh off Simon Easterby’s press conference, Thornley offers his analysis of why Ireland have picked the team they have.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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36:14
Are Ireland Six Nations favourites?
After an impressive, comfortable victory over England, do Ireland rival France as favourites for this year’s Six Nations? As Gordon D’Arcy points out on today’s round-up episode, do we need to wait until next week to ascertain France’s true ability after their hammering of Wales on Friday night? Still, Ireland looked both better coached and more instinctive than an England side which caused problems in the first half. How did Simon Easterby and co rise to the challenge of working without Andy Farrell to prepare this Irish side? Did we expect them to be so rampant in that second half? How important were the contributions of James Lowe, Jamison Gibson-Park and the returning Dan Sheehan? What does this mean for hopes of a record third title in a row?Produced by John Casey.Link: http://www.justgiving.com/team/grandtourcore Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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