Maul mania, Prendergast's form, and Champions Cup is back

Neil Treacy is joined by Ian Keatley and former Leinster and Connacht centre Tom Daly on this week's RTÉ Rugby podcast, as we break down another mixed week for the Irish provinces in the BKT United Rugby Championship.

Daly discusses his decision to retire from rugby this summer, after finishing his career with Lansdowne last season.

With maul tries on the up and up in the first few weeks of the season, we ask whether it's becoming too easy to score through that route now that officials have clamped down on defence.

The podcast breaks down an impressive performance from Sam Prendergast in Leinster's 29-5 win against Cardiff last week, as well as a back and forth contest in Belfast between Ulster and Munster.

With Munster set to face Racing 92 in the opening round of the Investec Champions Cup, Keatley discusses the legacy of his former head coach Anthony Foley, 10 years on from his death.

We also look at the challenge facing Connacht this season as they juggle URC and Champions Cup commitments.

And we finish by considering what impact the tweaks to the bonus-points system will have in this season's Champions Cup.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Tom Daly talks about his decision to retire

07:35 - Is it too easy to score maul tries now?

14:45 - Sam Prendergast's renewed confidence

24:35 - Ulster's attacking game saving their leaky defence