How do Ireland close the gap after a season of ups and downs?

Neil Treacy is joined by Jonny Holland on the final RTÉ Rugby podcast of the season, as we recap Ireland's Nations Championship tour, and their 40-21 defeat to New Zealand.

We look into some of the "uncharacteristic" errors that littered the opening half of their defeat to the All Blacks at Eden Park, which ensured they were always chasing the game on Saturday.

Jonny looks at how New Zealand out-half Ruben Love dictated the All Blacks tempo, while we look at the out-half picture in Ireland heading into a World Cup year.

We put a microscope over some of the contentious refereeing decisions from Eden Park on Saturday, and ask whether Ireland have a right to feel aggrieved by the yellow card for Luke Jacobson in the first half.

And we discuss which players could force their way into the Irish team next season, as Ireland look to close the gap on South Africa, France and New Zealand.

TIMESTAMPS

00:00 - Intro

05:00 - Have Ireland fallen behind the Big 3 in world rugby?

08:30 - Ireland's uncharacteristic errors

19:00 - Ruben Love's influence for the All Blacks

23:00 - Ireland's out-half picture after this season

27:40 - Ireland's refereeing frustrations

46:25 - How do we look back on Ireland's season as a whole?

50:50 - Who could be Ireland's breakout star next season?

56:30 - Is Jonny confident Ireland can iron out their issues?

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