ON THIS WEEK’S COLUMN… WRAP OF A WRAP After the doom and gloom of the Stormers whitewash the week before, we were determined to look for positives in our second wrap pod, and to be fair, despite a second loss in a row myself & Conor Cronin were well able to find them. I mean, … Continue reading 80+ column : October 8

Jack Crowley has started the season like a man on a mission but dismisses any suggestion that establishing himself as Ireland's chosen number 10 has anything to do with it.

The Rugby Championship has been run and won for 2025, but the real question would seem to be has it been run and won forever? Rugby writer and author Geoff Parkes joined Brett McKay and Harry Jones on The 8/9 Combo Rugby Podcast to ponder that very question. And as a way to wrap up The Rugby Championship properly for 2025 (but maybe forever), Harry sat a couple of homework tasks before this week’s chat, namely: 1. Was that the last ever TRC? 2. If this was the last TRC, how will the TRC be recalled? 3. Who from each of the 4 teams whose TRC performance exceeded your expectations? And.. 4. When did each team look their best, and why they all had at least one shitty game. It all makes for a substantive, meaty, profound way to the conclude the TRC. Maybe forever. #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #internationalrugby #Wallabies #TheRugbyChampionship, #Springboks, #AllBlacks, #LosPumas Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney

🏉  Heads not dropping 🏉  Attack is back 🏉  Handing them points 🏉  Tommy’s on fire 🏉  Half full or empty? Our guest… CONOR CRONIN (https://bsky.app/profile/ccbooms.bsky.social) Where to find Harpin’ On Rugby https://linktr.ee/harpinonrugby COMMENT, LIKE, SHARE & SUBSCRIBE

Senior rugby figures believe rebel R360 league all but dead after unions’ statement  The Irish Times

Episode 3 of SEND IT featuring Josh McKay is live now on YouTube and Spotify 📺⏪🏉 #URC | #SENDIT

Rónan Kelleher well rested and setting his sights on Sharks in Leinster return  The Irish Times

He was in a coffee shop last Friday morning when the message came through and then it was helter-skelter to get out of Edinburgh and back to Belfast, escaping Storm Amy before she closed in to do her worst.

The chaos, the rivalries, the laughs. This is rugby culture, unfiltered ⏪ SEND IT is a brand new series that dives into everything that makes the United Rugby Championship tick, from the biggest clashes on the pitch, to the madness off it 👀 Robbie Gillett and Jim Flanagan are our hosts for Episode 3, with Glasgow Warriors star Josh McKay their special guest. They chat: – The difference between the DHL Stormers and Leinster? (0:43) – Try of the Round & SEND IT moment of the week (5:38) – Josh McKay joins the show (13:00) – Matteo and Steve settle the 'King of the Jungle' debate (23:18) – And much more Want more URC? Head to our official website: https://UnitedRugby.com Follow us across social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/URCOfficial TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@URC Instagram: https://instagram.com/URC Facebook: https://facebook.com/URC #URC

Connacht lock Joe Joyce is enjoying life under new head coach Stuart Lancaster and says although team meetings are longer he's learning more about rugby at the ripe old age of 31.

CEO Martin Anayi is determined to bring the competition Stateside.

Seán O'Brien believes Leinster's problems in South Africa began with a lack of "physical intent" and expects that to be rectified this weekend.

It came down to the 85th minute at Rodney Parade as both Dragons RFC and Hollywoodbets Sharks were fighting for their first win of the season. Watch the final 10 minutes in full to re-live all the drama. Dragons RFC: Angus O’Brien (C.CAPT), Rio Dyer, Fetuli Paea, Aneurin Owen, Fine Inisi, Tinus de Beer, Rhodri Williams; Wyn Jones, Brodie Coghlan, Rob Hunt, Matthew Screech, Ben Carter (C.CAPT), Ryan Woodman, Shane Lewis-Hughes, Aaron Wainwright Replacements: Oli Burrows, Rodrigo Martinez, Chris Coleman, Levi Douglas, Harri Keddie, Che Hope, Harri Ackerman, Huw Anderson Hollywoodbets Sharks: Edwill van der Merwe, PK Sobahle, Jurenzo Julius, Lukhanyo Am, Christie Grobbelaar, Jean Smith, Jaden Hendrikse, Simphiwe Matanzima, Fez Mbatha, Ruan Dreyer, Deon Slabbert, Marvin Orie, Phepsi Buthelezi, Emmanuel Tshituka, Vincent Tshituka (CAPT) Replacements: Eduan Swart, Cameron Dawson, Cebo Dlamini, Bathobele Hlekani, Nick Hatton, Ross Braude, Francois Venter, Hakeem Kunene Head to URC TV to watch full match replays of every game: https://URC.tv SUBSCRIBE and activate notifications on YouTube: https://bit.ly/3D6AJLo Want more URC? Head to our official website: https://UnitedRugby.com Follow us across social media: Twitter: https://twitter.com/URCOfficial TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@URC Instagram: https://instagram.com/URC Facebook: https://facebook.com/URC #URC

Munster CEO Ian Flanagan has cast major doubt on the financial viability of R360 in what is the latest hammer blow to the rebel league.

There were no standout performers in Munster's squad beyond Jack Crowley in their nervy affair against Cardiff but they will be seeking revenge when they face Edinburgh on Friday.

URC CEO Martin Anayi joins Murray and Gavan to field a wide range of questions from the lads and listeners as the league begins its fifth season.

The 26-year-old winger believes Ulster’s mobility will be a significant factor against the Bulls.

The Molecast is not paywalled, but you can support its production by making a small donation at https://ko-fi.com/dementedmole — Resource Management and Opportunity Knocking in SA — What makes a good season? — The World Cup Cycle begins now --- Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.