The Red 78 Christmas Special | Ulster review, Leinster preview | Ep.115

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack has all of your team news for this weekend's Investec Champions Cup and Challenge Cup action. We hear from Leinster head coach Leo Cullen, who can recall Tadhg Furlong for Sunday's trip to La Rochelle. Ronan O'Gara explains the gap between his instructions and La Rochelle's recent performances.Conor Murray and Iain Henderson both return to bolster the selections of both Munster and Ulster this weekend. And could Michael Milne be swapping Leinster for Munster?

On Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you all the details of Mack Hansen's suspension following his post-match outburst over the Christmas. Two more of his teammates have committed their next two years to Connacht. Oyonnax have sacked Chris Farrell following his conviction as part of the Grenoble rape trial. And La Rochelle will be without Tolu Latu for Sunday's Investec Champions Cup date with Leinster.

On Wednesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of two more contract extensions at Connacht. We hear directly from the horse's mouth as Mike Prendergast provides an update on Munster's ten-week (and counting) hunt for a new head coach. La Rochelle could face Leinster without their first-choice hooker on Sunday. The club v country tussle that's delaying Immanuel Feyi-Waboso's potential shoulder surgery. And Italy the latest country to suffer a Six Nations-ending injury to a key player.

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan joins Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the defeat to Leinster, and the upcoming clash with Saracens at Thomond Park.Get in contact on Twitter @rugbychannel15 or email [email protected] to The Rugby Channel for new episodes every week! #TheRed78The 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 Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest on a busy day at Connacht where head coach Pete Wilkins addresses Mack Hansen's looming disciplinary hearing. One of Wilkins' backroom team is out the gap at the end of this season, but two of his players have committed their futures. A pair of Munster Academy products have also signed new deals, and we hear from one of them - Tom Ahern. There's mixed injury news from Ulster, while Tadhg Furlong is nearing a Leinster comeback. France, England and Italy will all be without key players during the Six Nations. And Jeremy Davidson's moved upstairs at Castres ahead of schedule.

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Will O'Callaghan brings you news of Tom O'Toole's suspension for his ugly clearout on Munster centre Alex Nankivell. Ronan O'Gara says La Rochelle's Invested Champions Cup date with Leinster will be a wake-up call for his players.Samoa's head coach has been forced to resign following sexual assault allegations involving members of his own family. And Camille Chat's Racing 92 contract has been torn up after he turned up to training drunk.

On a special festive episode of the Red 78, Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the win over Ulster, and to look ahead to Friday's huge clash with Leinster at a sold out Thomond Park. And we ask the two biggest questions - is Quinny on the nice list and just what is Fiona getting off Santa?

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the team news for Saturday's URC interpro at the Aviva, where Jordie Barrett will get his first taste of Irish derby action. The CEO of the URC discusses a potential merger with the English Premiership. Richie has the latest on Stuart Lancaster's job security at Racing 92. And the turmoil at the top of English rugby continues.

Welcome to Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast.On this morning's show, a double shot of rugby with Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan.Following another dramatic night at the World Darts Championship, we speak to Glen Durrant from Alexandra Palace.Nathan Murphy joins us from London to reflect on Shamrock Rovers' Conference League defeat at Stamford Bridge.And Catherine Murphy brings us her 'You Had To Be There'.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 Thursday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of Ulster's decision to tie down Zac Ward to a three-year contract. Ulster and Munster have named their teams for tomorrow night's URC interpro at Kingspan Stadium, and we hear from both camps. Plus, Chris Farrell will not appeal his sentence as part of the Grenoble rape trial.