The 42 Rugby Weekly

Ciaran Kennedy and Murray Kinsella bring you up to date on the lineups named for the opening weekend of the 2024/25 Champions Cup and Challenge Cup.

Ciarán Kennedy and Murray Kinsella talk about the fresh faces being unleashed by Andy Farrell against Fiji tomorrow, as well as the return of Jacob Stockdale.

Murray Kinsella and Ciarán Kennedy give their immediate reaction to the home side's narrow win at the Aviva stadium.

Gavan Casey and Murray Kinsella reflect on the departure of Graham Rowntree from Munster, look forward to the province's game against the All Blacks XV, and assess how New Zealand's selections against England will have a bearing against Ireland next Friday.

Ciarán Kennedy and Gavan Casey look ahead to the provinces' games in the URC this weekend:Do Munster even have a chance away to the Sharks? (1:18)Top-of-the-table clash between Leinster and the Lions. (8:13)Henderson returns, Stockdale rested for Ulster's clash with Cardiff. (17:34)A must win game for Connacht. (22:04)Lynne Cantwell appointed as Head of Women's Strategy for Irish Rugby. (24:08)

Rugby Weekly Extra host Gavan Casey is on his lonesome today to reflect on the best bits of this week's subscriber content. We hear from Bernard Jackman about RG Snyman's Croke Park performance, whether the IRFU should have prevented Snyman from having to leave Munster and why it's a great sign for Irish Rugby that the South African decided to stay in the country. (02:39)On Wednesday's pod, James Tracy analysed the battle between Ciarán Frawley & Jack Crowley at GAA HQ, discussed what the future holds for both the Ireland and Leinster number 10 shirts and floated the idea that Harry Byrne might be better served by gaining some regular out-half experience at another province. (10:52)Finally, Tracy talks Connacht scrum-half star Ben Murphy. (20:12)

Murray Kinsella and Gavan Casey look ahead to a massive weekend of interpros in the URC.The pair talk Joe McCarthy's absence from the Leinster squad, RG Snyman coming up against his former teammates, Ciarán Frawley's chance to go head to head with Jack Crowley & why it's impossible to call the winner of Ulster vs Connacht.(01:45) Leinster vs Munster team news(06:58) Frawley vs Crowley(07:40) Can Munster cause an upset?(11:58) Ulster vs Connacht

Ciarán Kennedy and Gavan Casey look ahead to the provinces' fixtures in the URC and Ireland women's WXV meeting with hosts Canada.