Talking Rugby Podcast Episode 20 - with chupacabra, thomond, jacothelad and doc

thomond2006

LINK: http://talkingrugby.podomatic.com/entry/2011-12-29T10_59_41-08_00

William, Doc, Alan and Tadhg join Dave to discuss the interprovincial results in the Pro12. We talk Eddie O'Sullivan's possible new job and Scott Johnson, who will leave the Ospreys to join Andy Robinson at Scotland. Our main issue this week surrounds the IRFU's new regulations around Non Irish Eligible Players, rules that will be in place from the 2013/14 season.

Coming up:

0:00 - Leinster's win over Ulster's youngsters. William laments the Ulster selection policy that effectively conceded the game before a ball was kicked, but he praises the young lads' resiliance.

11:30 - Bar a great send-off for John Hayes, Munster vs Connacht didn't produce many memorable moments. We talk at length about Niall O'Connor and a certain Munster player that frustrates the life out of Alan!

18:40 - The lads take a look back on John Hayes' fantastic career and how much we'll miss the Munster & Ireland 'ligind'.

27:15 - William and Doc look ahead to the 2nd week of the festive interpros: Ulster vs Munster & Connacht vs Leinster.

29:00 - Eddie O'Sullivan has been in the media saying he would like the Ospreys job. We discuss if he would be a good fit.

35:00 - Scott Johnson is leaving Ospreys at the end of the season to become an assistant coach with Scotland. However is this guy a spoofer? The discussion also moves to the state of the game in Scotland.

42:10 - Our main discussion this week revolves around the new 'IRFU Player Contract Policy'. The various dictats and stipulations of the new regulation are dissected. William is passionately opposed to many aspects of the announced changes.

- Will the provinces suffer, and should they suffer so that the national team can have more depth?
- Connacht have been excluded from the changes, where does it leave them?
- Will the rules be rigidly or loosely applied?
- Can these rules show fairness towards all of Munster, Ulster and Leinster?

1:02:20 - We end the show with Doc and Alan's thoughts on value outright bets for next year.

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Please post on the poll everyone and please post any comments or suggestions you have. If you're interested on contributing to the show sometime, you can drop me a PM.

Big Nelly

Downloading now, will listen to tomorrow. I expect the same quality as usual!!

its_phil

Downloaded for the car journey from Donegal to Galway tomorrow!

thomond2006

its_phil wrote: »

Downloaded for the car journey from Donegal to Galway tomorrow!

Big Nelly wrote: »

Downloading now, will listen to tomorrow. I expect the same quality as usual!!

Great stuff lads, be sure to post here what you thought of the show and vote on the poll! Clearly phil, you don't mind the show is about an hour if you're listening in the car!

irishbucsfan

Great show as usual.

Would like to have heard someone on the pro side of the NIQ argument!

Big Nelly

thomond2006 wrote: »

Great stuff lads, be sure to post here what you thought of the show and vote on the poll! Clearly phil, you don't mind the show is about an hour if you're listening in the car!

hi thomond2006, just back from a long drive and was a great listen as usual. I voted for longer than an hour just because I was driving for over 2 hours and listened to some of it again. Better than crap on radio.

Very good show again. Love William input on Ulster etc.

Also agree with comments on Scott Johnson.

The NIQ part was very interesting. I haven't looked into it much but some very valid points. Will be interesting to see how it turns out but I think it is step backward.

Not a betting man so I don't take much interest in that part but some good thoughts for the betting community!!

Again very good show and great to listen to while driving!! great insight lads, keep it up!!!

Also I do think you are all Leinster fans in disguise:D

its_phil

Just back from driving home and had the Newstalk Rugby podcast on after as well and 'Talking Rugby' held it's own. Your no Gerry Thornleys (no one is!) but William is a fantastic pundit if I may say so and you all got your points across well. It's improving by the weeks

The NIQ debate, very intriguing and William made a good point on the human nature effects of the decision. The discussion provoked a lot of thought and research was well done from all.

For The Bull segment really enjoyed Tadhg's story about the taxi man and some fitting tributes. Forgot the story about O'Gara in Scotland when Hayes thought he swallowed his tongue, which I thought was amazing considering a test match was taking place. But time is an obvious constraint and there are far too many Bull stories to share.

Thought analysis of the two games was very well done, improved on the last couple of weeks where I wasn't too impressed. I'd be critical of analysis of the other Connacht games in the past few weeks where there didnt seem to be too much or any talk of how players themselves played (like JOC vs Gloucester) compared to how you do it when talking about your own provinces. But I suppose that is to be accepted when it isn't your own province to talk about and highlights are harder to come by.

Good work lads, improving all the time and it's all a learning curve. I'll be listening again and I'm subscribed on my iTunes for 5 weeks now so already looking forward to next week.

Big Nelly

its_phil wrote: »

Thought analysis of the two games was very well done, improved on the last couple of weeks where I wasn't too impressed. I'd be critical of analysis of the other Connacht games in the past few weeks where there didnt seem to be too much or any talk of how players themselves played (like JOC vs Gloucester) compared to how you do it when talking about your own provinces. But I suppose that is to be accepted when it isn't your own province to talk about and highlights are harder to come by.

Actually something I thought of as well but forgot, no Connacht fan who watch's them regularly to comment on there games. Not sure if there is many on boards who would accept the task.

Still great guys!!

DeDoc

irishbucsfan wrote: »

Great show as usual.

Would like to have heard someone on the pro side of the NIQ argument!

I thought I argued (guardedly admittedly) in favour

Connacht voices are badly needed alright, so anyone who fancies a shout should speak up!

Big Nelly

DeDoc wrote: »

I thought I argued (guardedly admittedly) in favour

Connacht voices are badly needed alright, so anyone who fancies a shout should speak up!

Think both sides where kind of covered. I still think personally its a bad policy. But I must admit I was waiting for someone to mentioned Jack McGrath!! He is a monster. I think when the stories where about "The Bull" we could be saying them in years about him. He is a monster!!!

Can't remember who, said about the bull coming off the bus. We seen this recently with Jack McGrath!!!!

thomond2006

Thanks for the feedback lads! Keep it coming!

Hagz

Very enjoyable episode.

irishbucsfan

William is still my highlight of the show. Must be the accent.

It's an absolute must listen each week.

irishbucsfan

PS William, heard a rumour today that johann Muller has all but wrestled control of the forwards from BMcL and Ulster higher ups are interested in making an official appointment in future.

Would that be a step forward or would you prefer a more experienced coach?

jacothelad

irishbucsfan wrote: »

PS William, heard a rumour today that johann Muller has all but wrestled control of the forwards from BMcL and Ulster higher ups are interested in making an official appointment in future.

Would that be a step forward or would you prefer a more experienced coach?

Muller is in our de facto forwards coach. As for a permanent appointment, it depends on who is available. Too many of Ulster's coaches - in fact all of them - have no significant or notable experience before their appointments to what is allegedly a professional team. As we don't actually have a forwards coach I'm happy that Muller is there. If he is offered a coaching role I'll be happy enough. I can't see it though. Someone like Matt Sexton would be a popular appointment here.

EOS is always hanging around Ravenhill. I'd take him also but I doubt if the IRFU would be happy with it. Similarly, I can't see him getting the Ospreys job given his 'history' with Gatland who still feels the kinfe sticking out of his back.:D

durkadurka

Quality show lads.

irishbucsfan

jacothelad wrote: »

Muller is in our de facto forwards coach. As for a permanent appointment, it depends on who is available. Too many of Ulster's coaches - in fact all of them - have no significant or notable experience before their appointments to what is allegedly a professional team. As we don't actually have a forwards coach I'm happy that Muller is there. If he is offered a coaching role I'll be happy enough. I can't see it though. Someone like Matt Sexton would be a popular appointment here.

EOS is always hanging around Ravenhill. I'd take him also but I doubt if the IRFU would be happy with it. Similarly, I can't see him getting the Ospreys job given his 'history' with Gatland who still feels the kinfe sticking out of his back.:D

Unfortunately can't see EOS getting near a job in Belfast. Nothing to do with rugby either.

That board room needs a complete clear out. How that'll ever happen I have no clue, I'm certainly not holding my breath. Until then I can't see Ulster getting anywhere near fulfilling their immense potential.

thomond2006

Hopefully we'll have a year in review show next week!

Davekoolhill

great feedback guys, don't forget to spread the word.