Keith Wood's State of the Union

During the current postponement of on-field rugby action, Keith Wood's State of the Union is a new series looking at where the global game is going. This week, he's joined by Ger Gilroy, former-England international and journalist Stuart Barnes, and Giles Morgan, former-head of sponsorship at HSBC. Let us know what you think - is rugby in trouble? Can the game be 'more-global' or should World Rugby focus on consolidating the game's presence in traditional markets? Would an British and Irish league work? Our rugby coverage comes to you in association with Vodafone #TeamOfUs OTB AM is the sports breakfast show from Off The Ball – live weekday mornings from 7:30-10:00 am across the OTB channels. You can subscribe to the OTB AM podcast wherever you get your podcasts across the OTB Podcast Network. via iTunes via Spotify via GoLoud

On Episode Two of Keith Wood's State of the Union, Keith and Ger were joined by Paul Vaughan - the former head of English Rugby. They discussed the future of the sport, the early amateur move into professional ranks, and the Six Nations CVC deal. OTB AM is the sports breakfast show from Off The Ball – live weekday mornings from 7:30-10:00 am across the OTB channels. You can subscribe to the OTB AM podcast wherever you get your podcasts across the OTB Podcast Network. via iTunes via Spotify via GoLoud

On the third episode of Keith Wood's State of the Union, the former-Ireland captain sat down with none other than Michael Cheika and Andrew Mehrtens, alongside Ger Gilroy. They took a look at how rugby is being run in the southern hemisphere. #TeamOfUs @Vodafone Ireland

Here is our Thursday morning pod: 0:00 - Ger Gilroy and Eoin Sheanhan discussed the future of Ireland's provincial system and reviewed the morning's sports news 36:40 - Mary O'Connor from the Federation of Irish Sport spoke to us about the financial shock that Irish sports are facing - and why she thinks the State will need to help these organisations. 59:59 - On the third episode of Keith Wood's State of the Union, the former Ireland captain sat down with none other than Michael Cheika and Andrew Mehrtens, alongside Ger Gilroy, to take a look at how rugby is being run in the southern hemisphere. OTB AM is live again tomorrow from 7:30am - brought to you in association with Aviva Ireland #SafeToDream

IRFU CEO Philip Browne was the guest on State of the Union this week with Keith Wood and Ger Gilroy. They talked the future of rugby - from TV deals and the return of the game, to Six Nations relegation and the CVC deal. OTB AM is the sports breakfast show from Off The Ball – live weekday mornings from 7:30-10:00 am across the OTB channels. You can subscribe to the OTB AM podcast wherever you get your podcasts across the OTB Podcast Network. via iTunes via Spotify via GoLoud

OTB AM is back: 0:00 - Ger Gilroy and Eoin Sheahan break down the morning's back pages, while Shane Hannon has the latest news. 37:10 - Gina Akpe Moses was born in Lagos, raised in Louth, last week she spoke to Arthur O'Dea for OTBSports.com about her experiences of racism in Ireland - she joined us today alongside fellow Irish athlete Joseph Ojewumi to share their experiences. 57:10 - Offaly hurling boss and Kilkenny legend Michael Fennelly spoke to us after his retirement - and ahead of the recommencing of GAA action. 1:14:49 - Keith Wood's State of the Union is back - Johne Murphy and Steve Rooney, joined the former-Irish captain, alongside Ger Gilroy. They discussed the states of schools and club rugby in Ireland. We're live from 7:30am tomorrow.

On this week's Keith Wood's State of the Union, Keith, Johne Murphy, Steve Rooney and Ger Gilroy discussed the future of club rugby, the importance of the under-20s game, and how the Leinster Schools players are effectively pro in terms of commitment. OTB AM is the sports breakfast show from Off The Ball – live weekday mornings from 7:30-10:00 am across the OTB channels. You can subscribe to the OTB AM podcast wherever you get your podcasts across the OTB Podcast Network. via iTunes via Spotify via GoLoud

On this week's State of the Union, Keith Wood and Nathan Murphy were joined by World Cup winner Maggie Alphonsi, Scrum Queens founder Ali Donnelly and IRFU women's committee member Wendy Keenan to discuss the health of women's rugby. OTB AM is the sports breakfast show from Off The Ball – live weekday mornings from 7:30-10:00 am across the OTB channels. You can subscribe to the OTB AM podcast wherever you get your podcasts across the OTB Podcast Network. via iTunes via Spotify via GoLoud

In this week's episode of Keith Wood's State of the Union, 2019 World Cup final referee Jerome Garces and former international referee Johnny Lacey join Ger and Keith Wood for a look at the state of the game in terms of officiating.

Keith Wood's State of the Union this week focuses on the health of the game, with two of its top officials. Dr Éanna Falvey, the Chief Medical Officer for World Rugby joins us, as does Dr James Robson - team doctor for both Scottish rugby and the British and Irish Lions.

Barbara Scully and Declan Buckley joined Sean for their weekly slot where they answer the woes of the nation. Listen and subscribe to Moncrieff on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts or Spotify.    Download, listen and subscribe on the Newstalk App.     You can also listen to Newstalk live on newstalk.com or on Alexa, by adding the Newstalk skill and asking: 'Alexa, play Newstalk'.