Eddie's back, Rowntree's biggest intangible impact, and possible Aki issues
Murray Kinsella, Bernard Jackman and Gavan Casey had their hands full on Monday's pod after a stacked week of European action for the provinces and massive news in the wider rugby world.
Firstly, Eddie Jones is back in the saddle, replacing Dave Rennie as the Wallabies' head coach less than nine months out from the World Cup. The lads assess a ruthless decision by Rugby Australia and whether or not it feels like the right call.
Murray was in La Rochelle on Saturday as Ulster had their hearts broken at the death. He and 'Berch' determine whether or not their spirited performance in biblical conditions constitutes a turning point for Dan McFarland's men, and our analysts also give their thoughts on the northern province's half-back selection for a "season-defining" home tie with Sale Sharks.
Leinster were, again, imperious in their destruction of Gloucester -- but how seriously should we take their apparent issues at the scrum and in lineout maul defence in recent weeks? Murray outlines why Jamie Osborne is an "elite" prospect for both Leinster and Ireland, and Berch takes us back to his first impressions of European-rugby centurion Cian Healy and why he's stunned that the 35-year-old has made it this far in his pro rugby career.
The lads also delved into Munster's 14-man stand against Northampton which saw Graham Rowntree hand the keys to young, inexperienced players off the bench even as Saints began to turn the screw entering the final quarter. Gavin Coombes, meanwhile, has taken his game to a new level; Murray explains how and why.
Plus, Connacht hockeyed Brive in Galway, but is there something afoot with Bundee Aki? Andy Friend certainly appeared to suggest as much post-match.
And Berch gives his thoughts on some noise from professional coaches who are planning on making the case to World Rugby for an NRL-style post-match review process for high tackles, which would prevent red cards from 'ruining the game' as they see it.
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