Rugby Podcast - Irish Examiner

Sign in

Podcasts

Find out how to Listen to our podcasts where and when you like

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS HERE

Six Nations Podcast: Does French lesson in Paris mark the end of a golden era?

Six Nations Podcast: Does French lesson in Paris mark the end of a golden era?

Brendan O’Brien and Simon Lewis reflect on a long dark night for Ireland at the Stade de France after an opening Six Nations defeat to the hosts.

Listen | Fri, 06 Feb, 2026

Six Nations Podcast: Can Ireland's disrupters draw a line in the sand?

Six Nations Podcast: Can Ireland's disrupters draw a line in the sand?

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis preview Ireland's Six Nations opener in Paris.

Listen | Wed, 04 Feb, 2026

Rugby podcast special: a 'bun fight' in a cold Edinburgh for the Six Nations launch

Rugby podcast special: a 'bun fight' in a cold Edinburgh for the Six Nations launch

Brendan O’Brien and Simon Lewis check in with all the latest Six Nations news from the tournament launch in a freezing and wet Edinburgh

Listen | Mon, 26 Jan, 2026

A view of steam coming off of Edwin Edogbo dejected after the game 17/1/2026

Rugby podcast special: Huge Munster set-back and Leinster march on

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis analyse a consequential weekend of Champions Cup action.

Listen | Sun, 18 Jan, 2026

Jack O'Donoghue dejected after the match 11/1/2026

Rugby Podcast Special: Down to the wire for Munster

Simon Lewis makes it back from France to discuss the Reds' narrow defeat at Toulon, with Brendan O'Brien, plus Leinster's exploits in Europe and lots more.

Listen | Tue, 13 Jan, 2026

Rugby podcast special: a Munster v Leinster showdown that won't live long in the memory

Rugby podcast special: a Munster v Leinster showdown that won't live long in the memory

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis look back on Saturday night's imperfect URC interpro between Munster and Leinster at Thomond Park

Listen | Sun, 28 Dec, 2025

Rugby Podcast Special: Munster and Leinster's imperfect wins

Rugby Podcast Special: Munster and Leinster's imperfect wins

Simon Lewis and Brendan O’Brien talk through Munster and Leinster’s imperfect wins in round 2 of the Champions Cup pool stages.

Listen | Sun, 14 Dec, 2025

Rugby Podcast Special: Making head or tail of a bonkers, madcap, sorry spectacle with Springboks

Rugby Podcast Special: Making head or tail of a bonkers, madcap, sorry spectacle with Springboks

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lews attempt to explain Ireland's defeat by South Africa at the Aviva Stadium, where the final scoreline hid a multitude.

Listen | Sun, 23 Nov, 2025

Watch - Rugby podcast special: the Boks come to town

Watch - Rugby podcast special: the Boks come to town

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien look ahead to the visit of the world champion South Africans.

Listen | Thu, 20 Nov, 2025

Rugby podcast special: Ireland hit the Aussies for six, now for the Boks

Rugby podcast special: Ireland hit the Aussies for six, now for the Boks

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis at the Aviva Stadium reflect on Ireland's win over the Wallabies.

Listen | Sun, 16 Nov, 2025

Rugby Podcast Special: Ireland and Australia declare their hands

Rugby Podcast Special: Ireland and Australia declare their hands

Simon Lewis and Brendan O’Brien dig into the details

Thu, 13 Nov, 2025

Rugby Podcast Special: Japan job done but flat Ireland need kick in backside

Rugby Podcast Special: Japan job done but flat Ireland need kick in backside

Brendan O’Brien and Simon Lewis reflect on Ireland’s defeat of Japan

Sat, 08 Nov, 2025

Rugby podcast special: Ireland out to bounce back against Japan

Rugby podcast special: Ireland out to bounce back against Japan

Simon Lewis and Brendan O’Brien set the scene for a much-changed Ireland’s Test match against Japan on Saturday.

Listen | Fri, 07 Nov, 2025

Rugby podcast special: Ireland v All Blacks reaction from Chicago

Rugby podcast special: Ireland v All Blacks reaction from Chicago

Brendan O'Brien is joined by Joe Callaghan from Soldier Field in the moments after the sides' hard-fought test.

Listen | Sun, 02 Nov, 2025

Rugby podcast special: previewing Ireland v the All Blacks from Chicago

Rugby podcast special: previewing Ireland v the All Blacks from Chicago

Joe Callaghan joins Brendan O'Brien from the Windy City ahead of the Soldier Field showdown with New Zealand.

Listen | Fri, 31 Oct, 2025

Leinster v Munster - United Rugby Championship

Rugby podcast special: a statement win from Munster

Simon Lewis and Brendan O’Brien talk through Munster’s brilliant 31-14 URC victory against Leinster at Croke Park.

Sat, 18 Oct, 2025

Lions Tour Special: reviewing the highs and lows of Australian adventure

Lions Tour Special: reviewing the highs and lows of Australian adventure

Simon Lewis in Sydney reflects on his time in Oz following the tourists Down Under, with host Brendan O'Brien.

Mon, 04 Aug, 2025

Lions Tour Special: Wallabies' complaints and Farrell shows his hand for final Test

Lions Tour Special: Wallabies' complaints and Farrell shows his hand for final Test

Brendan O'Brien is joined by Simon Lewis from Sydney

Fri, 01 Aug, 2025

Lions Tour Special: 'Highway robbery' - the Australian view of the decisive second Test

Lions Tour Special: 'Highway robbery' - the Australian view of the decisive second Test

The British and Irish Lions have secured the series with a game to spare, but the second Test ended in controversy. Julian Linden joins Simon Lewis to assess it all.

Listen | Sat, 26 Jul, 2025

Lions Tour Special: a crucial innings for the Wallabies in Melbourne

Lions Tour Special: a crucial innings for the Wallabies in Melbourne

Andy Farrell's tourists will attempt to clinch the series win against Australia at the famous Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Simon Lewis checks in with Brendan O'Brien.

Listen | Fri, 25 Jul, 2025

Lions Tour Special: Can the Lions now finish the job?

Lions Tour Special: Can the Lions now finish the job?

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien reflect on a first Test win and preview a busy week ahead.

Listen | Mon, 21 Jul, 2025

Lions Tour Special: Farrell shows his hand for first Test

Lions Tour Special: Farrell shows his hand for first Test

Irish Examiner rugby columnist Donal Lenihan joins Simon Lewis in Australia to discuss Andy Farrell's team selection and look ahead to the first Test with the Wallabies.

Listen | Thu, 17 Jul, 2025

Lions Tour Special: a blow-out for the tourists in final warm-up

Lions Tour Special: a blow-out for the tourists in final warm-up

Simon Lewis in Adelaide joins Brendan O'Brien to reflect on the whitewash victory.

Listen | Sat, 12 Jul, 2025

Lions Tour Podcast: Andy Farrell's men going in the right direction

Lions Tour Podcast: Andy Farrell's men going in the right direction

Simon Lewis and Mick Cleary review the Lions' impressive win in Brisbane.

Listen | Thu, 03 Jul, 2025

Lions Tour Podcast: Finn Russell puts himself in pole position for Test 10 jersey

Lions Tour Podcast: Finn Russell puts himself in pole position for Test 10 jersey

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis review the Lions' opening game of the tour Down Under, a 54-7 victory over Super Rugby side Western Force.

Listen | Sat, 28 Jun, 2025

Lions Tour Podcast: Sheehan skipper as Lions need to hit the ground running in Perth

Lions Tour Podcast: Sheehan skipper as Lions need to hit the ground running in Perth

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis assess Andy Farrell's selection for the opening tour match with Western Force.

Listen | Thu, 26 Jun, 2025

Lions Tour Podcast: Special occasion but Pumas deliver long list of learnings

Lions Tour Podcast: Special occasion but Pumas deliver long list of learnings

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis review Argentina's defeat of the Lions in their Aviva Stadium pre-tour clash.

Listen | Sat, 21 Jun, 2025

Lions Tour Podcast: Will we see Ireland in red or something different?

Lions Tour Podcast: Will we see Ireland in red or something different?

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis review Andy Farrell's first Lions selection and look ahead to Friday night's historic meeting with Argentina at Aviva Stadium.

Listen | Fri, 20 Jun, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: where are Ireland after a strange trip to Italy?

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: where are Ireland after a strange trip to Italy?

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis in Rome reflect on the climax of the Six Nations championship

Listen | Sun, 16 Mar, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland into the final furlong in Rome

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland into the final furlong in Rome

Simon Lewis in Rome and Brendan O'Brien, at Cheltenham, look ahead to Ireland's final Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday.

Listen | Fri, 14 Mar, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Moneyball says no room for tinkering in Rome

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Moneyball says no room for tinkering in Rome

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien look ahead to Ireland's final Six Nations match against Italy on Saturday.

Listen | Wed, 12 Mar, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Sifting through the ashes as France torch Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Sifting through the ashes as France torch Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes

Simon Lewis and Brendan O’Brien take us through the talking points after France torched Ireland’s Grand Slam hopes in Dublin.

Sat, 08 Mar, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland to produce their best at most important time

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland to produce their best at most important time

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien review the Ireland selection and look ahead to Saturday's crunch Six Nations decider with France.

Listen | Thu, 06 Mar, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Irish injuries, bench splits, Thierry Henry and Garry Ringrose suspension

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Irish injuries, bench splits, Thierry Henry and Garry Ringrose suspension

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis take us through the big talking points ahead of Ireland's showdown with France this weekend.

Listen | Tue, 04 Mar, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: A new Munster chief and three Ireland exits

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: A new Munster chief and three Ireland exits

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis talk us through the retirements of some Irish greats and the upcoming arrival of Munster's new head coach.

Listen | Fri, 28 Feb, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland win in Cardiff, France back in form

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland win in Cardiff, France back in form

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien reflect on an incident-packed weekend of Six Nations action.

Listen | Mon, 24 Feb, 2025

Irish Examiner rugby podcast: Much-changed Ireland selection and Easterby to Wales?

Irish Examiner rugby podcast: Much-changed Ireland selection and Easterby to Wales?

Simon Lewis and Brendan O’Brien discuss Simon Easterby’s reaction to being linked with the Wales job, and on the much-changed side the interim Ireland head coach has named for the weekend’s Six Nations tie in Cardiff

Listen | Thu, 20 Feb, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Will Ireland shuffle the deck for Wales?

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Will Ireland shuffle the deck for Wales?

Brendan O’Brien and Simon Lewis chat about the latest news and views from in and around the Ireland and Wales squads ahead of their Six Nations tie in Cardiff.

Listen | Tue, 18 Feb, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Gatland departs and Ireland's fast Six Nations start

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Gatland departs and Ireland's fast Six Nations start

Brendan O'Brien and Mick Cleary discuss all the storylines from the opening two rounds of the 2025 Six Nations including Warren Gatland departing as Wales head coach, the possibility of Simon Easterby replacing him and Ireland's winning start.

Listen | Wed, 12 Feb, 2025

James Lowe celebrates his try with Dan Sheehan, Robbie Henshaw Hugo Keenan, James Ryan and Sam Prendergast 9/2/2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ruthless Ireland dominate Scotland again

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis discuss Ireland's 32-18 bonus point victory over Scotland in the Six Nations.

Listen | Sun, 09 Feb, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland show their hand for Scotland trip

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland show their hand for Scotland trip

Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis reflect on Simon Easterby's team announcement ahead of the trip to Edinburgh.

Listen | Fri, 07 Feb, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland start as they mean to go on

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland start as they mean to go on

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien reflect on an impressive first win for Simon Easterby.

Listen | Sat, 01 Feb, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland v England preview

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland v England preview

Brendan O'Brien joins Simon Lewis from the Aviva Stadium to discuss Ireland's team selection for the Six Nations opener with England, what the Irish camp have to say, as well as Thursday night's U20s defeat in Cork.

Listen | Fri, 31 Jan, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ronan O'Gara previews the Six Nations

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ronan O'Gara previews the Six Nations

The La Rochelle coach -- and Irish rugby legend -- speaks to Tony Leen about a tournament he knows well.

Listen | Thu, 30 Jan, 2025

Simon Easterby 21/1/2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Six Nations preview

Donal Lenihan joins Brendan O'Brien and Simon Lewis to look ahead to the 2025 Six Nations, assess Ireland's chances without Andy Farrell and pick their likely tournament winners

Listen | Wed, 29 Jan, 2025

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland v Australia

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland v Australia

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien reflect on Ireland's battling win over Joe Schmidt's Wallabies.

Sat, 30 Nov, 2024

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland v Australia preview

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland v Australia preview

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien look ahead to Joe Schmidt's return to Dublin to face Ireland in Andy Farrell's final game... for now.

Listen | Fri, 29 Nov, 2024

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Munster backroom deals, Joe's Wallabies in town

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Munster backroom deals, Joe's Wallabies in town

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien convene after a busy day to discuss staff developments at Thomond Park, Joe Schmidt's return to Dublin and the news from the Ireland camp.

Listen | Tue, 26 Nov, 2024

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland v Fiji

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Ireland v Fiji

Simon Lewis and Brendan O’Brien look at the individual standouts from Ireland’s 52-17 win over Fiji on Saturday.

Listen | Sun, 24 Nov, 2024

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Farrell rings the changes, Sam's the man, Fiji challenge

Irish Examiner Rugby Podcast: Farrell rings the changes, Sam's the man, Fiji challenge

Simon Lewis and Brendan O'Brien discuss Andy Farrell's team selection for the third November test against Fiji.

Listen | Thu, 21 Nov, 2024

Sport

Newsletter

Latest news from the world of sport, along with the best in opinion from our outstanding team of sports writers. and reporters