Rugby Daily | 2 new central contracts, Furlong fitness latest, ROG help at La Rochelle?

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack completes your build-up to tomorrow's titanic battle between Ireland and France at the Aviva. We speak to Caelan Doris and Simon Easterby at today's captain's run, plus Antoine Dupont piles further pressure on tomorrow's referee Angus Gardner. Ronan O'Gara, Alan Quinlan and Andy Dunne all have their say on tomorrow's crunch clash. Plus Italy make half a dozen changes for their test with England on Sunday.

As we approach the Guinness 0.0 Six Nations showdown of France V Ireland, OTB's own Brian O'Driscoll joined us for an exclusive event at the Open Gate Brewery, where we previewed the big game as well as looking back on his last ever game for Ireland - against France 11 years ago! He was joined by his former team mates, Mike Ross, Gordan D'Arcy & Devin Toner, who recounted their memories in the green jersey.  Settle in is brought to you by Guinness 0.0. 

Welcome to Friday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your bitesize, and FREE, taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, we've a bumper preview for Ireland v France in the Six Nations with both Ronan O'Gara and Alan Quinlan. Former Kerry player, and ex-Laois manager Mike Quirke joined us to discuss football's new rules. Plus, football writer Mark Critchley reflected on last night’s 1-1 draw between Man United & Real Sociedad in the Europa League. This morning's Bite begins with Quinny's take on tomorrow's game at the Aviva, and then we check in with Mike on football's new era.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 has your team news ahead of that huge meeting of Ireland and Scotland. Mack Hansen is out of that game, and Simon Easterby explains why. He also discusses his bench composition, Tadhg Furlong's progress and more. Fabien Galthié has begun piling the pressure on Saturday's referee Angus Gardner + he discusses Thierry Henry's visit. And we hear from Gregor Townsend and Matt Sherratt on Saturday's meeting of Scotland and Wales.

Off The Ball's Ruairi O'Hagan is joined by Munster legends Alan Quinlan and Fiona Hayes to discuss the disappointing defeat to Edinburgh in Cork, Peter O'Mahony and Conor Murray's impending departures and Ireland v France. 

Welcome to Thursday's OTB Breakfast Bite - your FREE bitesize taster of this morning's full Off The Ball Breakfast. On this morning's show, we were joined by the one and only Danny Dyer for a very special edition of 'You Had To Be There'. We previewed the Six Nations clash of Ireland and France with Les Bleus legend Philippe Saint-André. And Jean-Philippe Leclaire reviewed Liverpool's smash-and-grab win away to Paris Saint-Germain. And this morning's Bite has a distinctly French flavour as we check in with Saint-André, and first we look back on last night's events at the Parc des Princes. 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 the latest from the France camp ahead of their departure for Dublin. And there's an update on the fitness of Gregory Alldritt. We hear from Mack Hansen and John Fogarty on France's deployment of a 7-1 bench. Marcus Smith has been sensationally dropped by England for the visit of Italy to Twickenham. And Rassie Erasmus addresses chatter that Felix Jones was sent to 'spy' on England.

On Tuesday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you the latest from the Ireland camp ahead of Saturday's showdown with France. We hear from scrum coach John Fogarty on Tadhg Furlong's battle to be fit, plus Mack Hansen on the desire to send Ireland's retiring trio out on a high. France have injury concerns over an experienced member of their scrum. Les Bleus have reopened old wounds ahead of their trip to Dublin. Connacht have a new senior assistant coach. And we hear from Jamie George as he craves comfort against Italy.

On Monday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you news of two players moving to IRFU central contracts in the summer. There's an update on the health of the squad ahead of Saturday's crunch with France. The FFR have made contact with World Rugby over the discrepancies in the bans of Garry Ringrose and Romain Ntamack. And could Ronan O'Gara be given a new voice in the La Rochelle coaches room?

On Friday's Rugby Daily, Richie McCormack brings you team news from the three provinces in action in the URC tomorrow. It's a Soroka family affair for Leinster who welcome Cardiff to the Aviva, and we hear from Leo Cullen. Ulster centre James Hume outlines the extent of his injury lows as Ulster prepare to entertain the Scarlets. And Connacht's Paul Boyle provides insight into the challenge posed by Benetton this week. We hear more from Conor Murray following his decision to retire from international action. Plus, the latest ins and outs at Leicester.