The last time Ireland made it into a major tournament was 2016. Since then England have been to two European Championship finals and a World Cup semi-final. We’re going to have to do something special to get a draw (or win) on Saturday, but thankfully our World Service members have a plan.

©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Ken was an embedded reporter in FAI HQ today and comes into studio with a heart full of hope and a recorder full of player interviews.

©INPHO/Ryan Byrne

Felix Jones is the most successful Irish born rugby coach of all time, having won two World Cups under Rassie Erasmus’ South Africa side. He left that job after the World Cup to join England’s senior set up, and made an instant impact with players, fans and his head coach Steve Borthwick – so his sudden departure just 10 months into the job makes, on the surface, little sense. We ask our man in South Africa, Craig Ray, and Ruaidhri O’Connor of the Irish Independent, about what may be behind this move, and if Ireland or one of the Irish provinces could bag him next.

We also discuss South Africa’s win over NZ in a “feral” Ellis Park, disrespecting the haka and the next rugby superstar, Sacha Feinberg Mngomezulu, who has talent, self belief, swagger and a heck of a back story.

Plus there’s the corridor of hell and Ten Hag’s time at Old Trafford.

Click the player at the top of the page to play the show. Monday’s shows are free to all. To listen to our programming throughout the rest of the week, join the Second Captains World Service. There’s no contracts, no hidden fees and shows can be listened to on all good podcast apps, on Spotify or through our website. It’s independent, commercial-free and member-led with feature interviews, breaking news, Ken’s Football Show, The Politics Podcast, The “I’ll Tell You Who Wrote It” Book Club and lots of added extras. You’ll also be supporting the development of our longer-form work, such as our international series  ‘Where Is George Gibney?’.

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