Rugby Daily | No need for Prendergast bulk, Franco Smith's come-and-get-me plea

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest ahead of Ireland's Six Nations clash with Wales tomorrow in Cardiff. We hear from head coach Simon Easterby, Wales captain Jac Morgan, and Alan Quinlan on the big game. Gloucester have described the signing of Ross Byrne as a real coup.Ronan O'Gara gives OTB the latest on rumours he could soon start his international coaching career. And Mike Prendergast's named a stout Ireland 'A' team that will play in Bristol on Sunday.

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the team news ahead of Saturday's Six Nations clash of Wales and Ireland. We hear from interim head coach Simon Easterby on his decision to pick Dan Sheehan as captain, and the stories linking him with the Wales job. Interim Wales coach Matt Sherratt's also made a raft of changes, and has responded to that Off The Ball Breakfast clip. Scotland head coach Gregor Townsend makes minor tweaks for Saturday's Calcutta Cup clash. And a Connacht duo return from injury in tomorrow's friendly with Harlequins.

Welcome to Thursday's Off The Ball Breakfast Bite - your bitesize free sample of this morning's Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, Sarah O'Donovan and Seamus Hickey previewed the weekend's Allianz Hurling League action. Galway hurling great and author Tony Óg Regan talks about his book MVP: Raise Your Game. Unlock Your Potential and shares tips on being the best version of yourself.Tony Evans joined us after Liverpool dropped two more points in the Premier League title race. And we spoke to Welsh legend Mike Phillips and former Ireland hooker Mike Sherry ahead of Saturday's Six Nations test with Wales. And it's there we take our Bite, as Phillips gives us his view on the departure of Warren Gatland, and Sherry provides live reaction to the Ireland team being named. 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

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of a potential move to the English Premiership for Leinster and Ireland out-half Ross Byrne.We hear from Ireland centre Robbie Henshaw on this week's Six Nations clash with Wales. Warren Gatland speaks for the first time since leaving the Wales head coach's job. Michael Cheika has emerged as a frontrunner to replace Joe Schmidt in Australia's top job. And a two-time Champions Cup winner with La Rochelle is forced to retire.

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to talk about the win over Scarlets, Gavin Coombes' good run of form, Ireland's clash with Wales and more. 

Welcome to Wednesday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. This morning on the show, Tom English looked back on Celtic's heartbreaking exit from the Champions League. We began our look ahead to the League of Ireland weekend with former goalkeeper Barry Murphy. And we were also joined by writer Sam Peters, author of Concussed: Sports Uncomfortable Truth, joins Ger & Colm to take a deep dive into the issue of concussion in rugby.And it's with rugby we take this morning's bite, looking ahead to the Calcutta Cup clash of England and Scotland with the BBC's Tom English, followed by a snippet of that chat with Sam Peters. 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

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you confirmation of Ireland's return to Soldier Field in Chicago. We hear from Robbie Henshaw and Andrew Goodman ahead of Saturday's clash with Wales, as a trio of experienced players will miss the game in Cardiff. James Botham discusses the changes made by Matt Sherratt with Wales. France are set to go with a 7-1 split on their bench as they look to atone for defeat at Twickenham. England make one change for the Calcutta Cup game. And we hear from Louis Rees Zammit as he continues to chase his NFL dream.

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has the latest from the Ireland camp which has gone through significant change over the weekend due to injury.We hear from Aled Walters and Alan Quinlan on the Wales game ahead, and on Sam Prendergast's physical development.There's a new addition to the Wales coaching staff ahead of Ireland's visit to Cardiff.And changes galore between Scotland and Wales with the Calcutta Cup to be decided this weekend.

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the Ireland camp a week out from their Six Nations game away to Wales. Aled Walters provides us with a fitness update, and Garry Ringrose discusses his contentment with Simon Easterby's centre rotation. Josh Wycherley returns to the Munster fold for the first time since September. Pete Wilkins says he's not feeling any more pressure as Connacht look to arrest their URC losing streak. James Hume, Jacob Stockdale and Stuart McCloskey are back for Ulster. And Melvyn Jaminet discusses the racist Instagram story that almost ended his career.

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, new contracts for Ireland duo Tadhg Beirne and Garry Ringrose.Bordeaux fly-half Joey Carbery admits it’s difficult for him to watch Ireland in the Six Nations,And Calvin Nash reveals there’s much more to come from the Men in Green as they chase a third title in a row.Rugby Daily on Off The Ball, with Bank of Ireland, a proud sponsor of Irish Rugby. Never Stop Competing.