Gladiator II star Paul Mescal's Rugby World Cup heartbreak | YOU HAD TO BE THERE

Welcome to Friday's Breakfast Bite - your FREE treat-sized sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast.This morning on the show, we look ahead to Ireland v Fiji with Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan.We're joined by just the third ever Irish winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year award, Conor Niland for his excellent book 'The Racket'.Keith Treacy previews the start of the Ruben Amorim regime at Manchester United.Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show 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/joinAnd this morning's Breakfast Bite has three separate nibbles - with Ronan O'Gara seeking greater consistency at La Rochelle, Keith Treacy ruminating on Ireland's avoidable second half against England, and everyone's favourite ex-Kildare minor star Paul Mescal in Gladiator II.

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the Ireland team news for Saturday's test with Fiji - the debutants, the recalls, the first home starts, and the surfeit of tightheads. Andy Farrell gives his expectations of Sam Prendergast and Ciaran Frawley this week. Jamie Osborne discusses switching between centre and full-back. Jordie Barrett looks set to miss his start date at Leinster, as tributes paid to departing All Blacks Sam Cane and TJ Perenara. Plus, England's RFU's record deficit.

Fiona Hayes and Ruairi O'Hagan from the Red 78 sit down with former Ireland and Munster star Eimear Considine to talk about her recent retirement announcement, her beginnings in the sport, and the highs and lows of her rugby career.The first twenty minutes of this week's podcast is unlocked, but to listen to the full podcast, get on over to the Off The Ball app, or become a member at offtheball.com/join.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from Leinster, where Leo Cullen has - as expected - signed a new two-year deal with the province. Richie speaks to Leinster CEO Shane Nolan, who also provides an update on the redevelopment status of the RDS. It's been a big day of contract news at Ulster. Warren Gatland addresses his future as Wales boss ahead of their test with the Springboks. And Sergio Parisse makes more history for Italy.

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of Saturday's test with Fiji. Scrum coach John Fogarty addresses Ireland's discipline, the threat posed by Fiji, and speaks in glowing terms about history-maker Cian Healy. Jean Kleyn's been handed a start for the Springboks against Wales, as Rassie Erasmus goes with the brothers Hendrikse. Steve Borthwick's been forced into some alterations to his England squad. There's been a change in itinerary for the Lions tour of Australia. And Antoine Dupont's nomination as World Rugby Men's Sevens Player of the Year has been described as "disrespectful".

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest on Warren Gatland's future as head coach, which hangs in the balance following their defeat to the Wallabies. Leicester have joined the list of clubs hunting Leinster out-half Ross Byrne. Jack Crowley has been accused of cheating against Argentina by a former All Black. Ulster tie a versatile back down with a new two-year deal. And Irish nominees galore, as World Rugby reveals its shortlists for their annual awards in Monaco.

Welcome to Monday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast.On this morning's show...Brian Barry Murphy reflects on the Republic of Ireland's second half horror show at Wembley.We look at Katie Taylor's huge win over Amanda Serrano in Texas with Kevin Byrne, with an eye on what's next for the Bray fighter.Alan Quinlan on another edgy Ireland performance in the Autumn Nations Series.And there's our weekly Performance Rankings - which is where our Breakfast Bite takes us today, as we ponder - are the Ireland rugby team underperforming because Andy Farrell's out the gap in the new year?Catch The Off The Ball Breakfast show 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

On a special edition of Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the reaction to Ireland's three-point win over Argentina at the Aviva. We hear from Andy Farrell on Ireland's ill-discipline, and debutant Sam Prendergast. Felipe Contepomi reacts to what so nearly was a famous win for his Pumas side. On top of that, there's news of a surprising change for the Wallabies, two Scotland internationals are on the move, and the Byrne brothers performing off Broadway.

On a very special edition of You Had To Be There, Gladiator II star Paul Mescal sat down with Eoin Sheahan to discuss GAA losses more painful than any Hollywood audition, the heartbreak of the Rugby World Cup quarter-final, and so much more!You can become an Off The Ball member to hear this and lots more besides.SUBSCRIBE at OffTheBall.com/join

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of tomorrow's Test with Argentina at the Aviva, and we hear from captain Caelan Doris. World Rugby has a new chair, and Rob Kearney's joined their Executive Board, plus a decision on the 20-minute red card has been deferred. Mathieu Jalibert has walked out of the French camp ahead of their test with the All Blacks, plus Scott Robertson shares what he learned during his time in Perpignan. The Springboks make a host of changes for their meeting with England, with a Leinster man among the beneficiaries. And there's more confusion regarding the future of London Irish.