The Molecast

We rank Ireland both out of 1 to 10 and with the binary unsatisfactory/satisfactory distinction as we pick apart an impressive victory against France and ask if Cardiff represents a "free hit"? Have we really learned that much about ourselves other than we *still* suck at being favourites? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As usual, the game is gone or going somewhere weird. Crisis in Wales, crisis in world rugby, crisis at World Rugby. There's not enough people close enough to each other on the planet to make the game viable in the way it wants to be while maintaining some semblance of the game's traditions: discuss. OK, we will. Welsh sociology, roads, the Belle Epoque, FIRA, it's all in here. Hosted on Acast. See...

Did injury force Ireland's hand in terms of selection, or did Joe just not channel his inner Gatty after a disappointing performance in Rome. Is clarity of purpose what Ireland are lacking? Also: oh shit here come unbeatable Wales. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Questions raised and questions answered at Murrayfield; kick and clap at Twickenham as England launch bombs and land them all. What more do we know about Carbery and what more can we find out, and are England showing their World Cup plans already? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Meeting the pitch of the ball, changing the pitch of the game, 1500 metre full backs, the paradox of Zebo's absence, being the best team in the world for six weeks, some Japanese big picture, and some face-smashing: these are just some of the things that we grasp onto in the aftermath of getting pumped at home by pumped-up English. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We try to get inside the mind of Schmidt and Jones to pick their teams for them. Given they are now announced, it retrospectively seems like Joe is channelling his inner Gatland. And while the team largely picks itself, the bench very much does not. Also ou est les françaises? First the snowdrops, then St Bridget's Day, then the Six Nations! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more informat...

We focus on the little province that could, that keeps surprising us all and has ended up with a surprising contingent in the Irish squad: Ulster (badum tish.)Also we indulge in some Valdanology, investigating claims of Shit-on-a-Stick at Thomond Park, sexy sub outhalf talk for Leinster and the boring grind of Premierships DoFs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The festive interpros heralded the end of rugby as we know it with tedious blowhards and tinfoil-hat-wearing Twitter cranks calling for the abolition of the uncompetitive Pro 14, a situation which might finally allow the Welsh teams to thrive.... where exactly? THE GAME'S GONE.Good thing then that there's some rugby to look forward to. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a weekend which saw 5 of the 7 Premiership teams lose in Europe, we go in depth on the status of the league as it faces into a future that is likely to include ring-fencing and the a partial buy-out by a private equity firm. We also evaluate Munster's curious win against Castres, as well as looking back to see who France is blaming for their defeat to Fiji. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pri...

We've attained rugby perfection and there's nothing left to do but meditate on it (OMMMMM) but we still luxuriate in it a little bit, or even a lot. Just how good was it? Very, very good. Then there's the question of the ABs trajectory, and lastly there's the squad for US Eagles game – and beyond. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We are going long on the more-interesting-than-expected clash between Pumas who have reasons to be optimistic and the Irish who have plenty mull over. And of course with the All Blacks on the horizon, we look into their squeaky victory over the English and look forward to the title bout next Saturday night at Lansdowne Road. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There's a lot of player welfare talk surrounding professional rugby these days but extraneous — pointless — internationals outside the autumn test match window, and ignoring borderline hits because they are unpopular decisions don't add up to looking after the players. We get into the bizarre Ireland B vs Italy B in mostly empty stadium, and ask where England are, and if they are going anywhere. H...

Bruce Craig wuz robbed: will threat of high court make high tackles hightail it? Or will the ABs still get their scalps and get away with it? Leinster lose despite being the Harlem Globetrotters (apparently), Nucifora releases Budget 2019, and who gets picked for Ireland? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The "Gobshites" are back with a discussion of Munster's non-victory victory in Windy Park, the return of the tighthead rock Marty Mooradze, OMG just how good were Leintster roysh, slagging off Freddie Burns, and predicting this weekend's Euro-thrashings. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A slightly delayed Molecast but our takes still haven't cooled down. Whitehouse or Shitehouse, provincial pecking order, the future of Sean O'Brien (and the Real Sean O'Brien), an exciting weekend of Euro-rugby ahead for the provinces... plus rogue predictions are back. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Molecast is back for the new season with more sounds of slurping tea and opening beers, as well as much discussion of fullbacks: PC Thug and burger-stealer Geordan Murphy, Simon "Slim" Zebo, and even Joey Carbery. Then we tried to solve everything to do with English rugby, which didn't go too well or get very far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We get into the ineffable logic of Joe's selection policy, Ireland's journey vs Ireland's destination, refereeing card games, NZ cynicism and go down a few blind alleys in anticipation of the end of an incredible season of rugby success.(BTW episode #12 didn't get published, so you didn't miss one. Stay tuned for the 30th anniversary reissue.) Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

Do you like *long* podcasts? We have a lot to get through. Semi-finals, finals, retirements, squad announcements for Australia, a bloody transfer saga, and maybe most dramatically of all: the demise of the B&I Cup and Nucifora's plans for the club game. It's a bumper edition of the Molecast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sometimes it isn't all Wayne Barnes' fault, and hopefully one of us will be big enough to admit it. It was a dog of a game, but sometimes that just can't be helped all that much, and thankfully Leinster showed yet another way to win. We also discuss Jordi's future, coaching duos, Leo's selections and throw in a little bit of ref talk for good measure. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor...

The Moles get into provincial appointments and dismissals up North and out West respectively, before we delve into the Pro14's health ahead of its semi-finals. And of course, we have a long hard think about Leinster's showdown in Bilbao with Racing 92 and why they should finish the job and round off a stellar European season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Moles have lots to discuss after the contrasting European Champions Cup semi-final results for the Irish provinces including the serious men of Leinster; the silver linings for Munster and Van Gran's Grand Plan. Also, why would you take a job with Ulster right now? And what of Sean O'Brien? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Moles are back with loads of chat about "butt hurt losers" in the Aviva Premiership, international club rugby. Then, closer to home, we talk about Magnificent Max Deegan and where Joey Carbery's future lies. Of course, we also throw in some ropey semi-final predictions too! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A few weeks ago we had the opportunity to meet and chat with the legendary Serge Betsen courtesy of Heineken Rugby Club and talked about his career in the game. And of course, Serge is an absolute gent, quelle surprise! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is winning the Grand Slam the best thing ever? We ask this an other moody questions about where we are now – and where is everybody else going? Who might be next to break through? And who gets referred to as our "eminence grise"? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

We ramble about the French resurgence, the English malaise, a thoroughly Schmidtian Ireland, and whether we will the Grand Slam. Oh and a big apology to James Ryan – we should never have doubted you! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.