Which Ireland players will step up for the summer squad while the Lions are away?

Plus, Connacht pull off a real coup with Stuart Lancaster appointment

Listen | 27:53
Jack Crowley and Jacob Stockdale are included in the squad, with Craig Casey (right) named as captain. Photograph: Tom Maher/©INPHO
Jack Crowley and Jacob Stockdale are included in the squad, with Craig Casey (right) named as captain. Photograph: Tom Maher/©INPHO

It may be URC semi-final week, but the rugby news cycle has been dominated by events away from Leinster. Connacht have pulled off a big-name managerial signing by securing the services of Stuart Lancaster, while Paul O’Connell has named his Ireland squad for the summer tour of Georgia and Portugal.

With the Lions contingent away in Australia, this tour will be vital for plugging the gaps and filling areas of weakness as we start to inch towards another World Cup.

Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to discuss all this while looking at why Leinster’s URC playoff run appears to be struggling to capture the public imagination.

Produced by John Casey.

OUR PODCASTS