Rugby Daily | Munster blow, Middle East World Cup bid gains powerful ally

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has team news from all four provinces - and their opponents - ahead of a busy weekend of Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. We hear from Dan Sheehan and Alan Quinlan on Leinster's last-16 encounter with Alan Quinlan at Croke Park, a game you can hear live and exclusive on Off The Ball on Saturday. Ronan O'Gara speaks exclusively to us as his out-of-form La Rochelle side prepare to host Munster. Rob Herring will win his 250th Ulster cap in Sunday's tricky test away to Bordeaux. And Shayne Bolton is back for Connacht's Challenge Cup tie with Cardiff. Plus, the latest on Rugby Australia's search for a new Wallabies head coach, and one of the game's best young talents closes the door on the All Blacks.

This is Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your free Bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Ronan O'Gara took time out from La Rochelle's preparations for their Investec Champions Cup tie with Munster to speak to Shane and Colm. Alan Quinlan helped set the table for the rest of the weekend's action. We previewed the start of the Football Championship with Mayo legend David Brady. And Former Ireland international Méabh De Búrca looks ahead to this afternoons Women's Nations League meeting of Greece and Ireland. But this morning's Bite focuses on this weekend's Champions Cup action as we check in with Alan Quinlan, and first - Ronan O'Gara. And don't forget, Leinster's Croke Park outing against Harlequins at Croke Park is live on Saturday's Off The Ball. Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

This is Thursday's Rugby Daily, in which Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Munster's push to see Alex Nankivell included in their squad to face La Rochelle. The prospect of a Middle East World Cup has gained a very powerful ally. And the Wallabies star that's won an NFL contract.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Jack Crowley on his own future. Ronan O'Gara has also come out swinging ahead of La Rochelle's Investec Champions Cup last-16 tie with Munster, and he's also given an injury update. The coaching staff for Ireland's summer tests has been revealed. And Courtney Lawes fancies a third Lions call.

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss a much needed win for the Reds over Connacht, and to look ahead to the huge Champions Cup clash with Ronan O'Gara's La Rochelle. 

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Munster ahead of their blockbuster Investec Champions Cup last-16 tie away to La Rochelle on Saturday. We hear from Tadhg Beirne on his role in Antoine Dupont's recent ligament injury, plus Mike Prendergast addresses being overlooked for the head coach's job. A season to forget for Rob Baloucoune continues at Ulster. We hear from stand-in coach at Connacht Colm Tucker as they prepare to play Cardiff in the Challenge Cup.

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Jack Crowley's future at Munster. We hear from Dan Sheehan and Robin McBryde as Leinster switch their attentions to Croke Park and an Investec Champions Cup date with Harequins. That Leinster-Quins game will be live on Saturday's Off The Ball. There's reaction to a 'statement' win for Ireland in the W6N in Parma. The Middle East is hoping to bag the World Cup. And Rugby Australia have won over another recruit from League.

This is Monday's OTB Breakfast Bite, your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, former Ireland internationals Alan Quinlan & Hannah O’Connor joined us to discuss Munster’s victory over Connacht and Ireland’s emphatic win over Italy in the Women's Six Nations. OTB’s GAA correspondent Tommy Rooney rounds up the weekend’s football finals in Croke Park.And Ger, Colm and Arthur kicked things off with the Performance Rankings, running through the good, the bad, and the amber of the weekend’s sport. But this morning's Bite takes us first to Hannah O'Connor's review of Ireland's W6N win in Parma, and then we reflect on Kerry's victory in the Allianz Football League Division 1 decider with Tommy. Catch Off The Ball Breakfast LIVE weekday mornings from 7:30am or just search for Off The Ball Breakfast and get the podcast on the Off The Ball app. SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

Jackie Shiels debriefs Ireland's record-breaking, bonus point win against Italy in the second round of the Guinness Women's Six Nations Championship. #Rugby on Off The Ball with Bank Of Ireland | #NeverStopCompeting

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you team news ahead of Ireland's W6N game with Italy in Parma on Sunday. We hear from Scott Bemand and Neve Jones on that Azzurri test. Leinster have been linked with a big-name replacement for Jordie Barrett. Conor Murray to reach 200 Munster caps in Castlebar tomorrow. Paul Gustard will not be Leicester coach next season, and Bill Beaumont calls for unity with the RFU.