Episode 22: Obviously Maybe

Round 3 is done — and Chloe Pearse is back, somehow vertical after UL Bohemian's AIL title win, to help us make sense of it all. England did England things against Wales. Italy absolutely shocked Scotland in a result nobody saw coming. And Ireland went to Clermont, matched France for long stretches, created chances, and came home empty-handed. Again. The margins are getting smaller. The performances are getting better. The results just aren't following yet. Cian has done something slightly unhinged with statistics that we're not going to spoil here. Let's just say the number is one in four thousand, and leave it at that. We also get into the bench decisions that had us shouting at the screen, the art of managing a referee without getting binned, and what Ireland need to do differently when Wales come to Belfast on the 9th of May. 👕 The mBan Squad kit, as modelled by Ailbhe, is now on sale — all proceeds to HerSport → (https://mudder-rucker-store.myspreadshop.net) 📸 Instagram → @mudderruckerpodcast 🟦 Bluesky → @mudderrucker.bsky.social 🎙️ Ailbhe → @irishwomens.bsky.social 📚 Cian → @rugbykino.bsky.social ▶️ YouTube → youtube.com/@MudderRucker 00:11 Chloe returns — held together with adrenaline and goodwill 01:05 Three AIL titles in a row — how did it happen? 07:32 England v Wales — more of the same, but Wales showed heart 10:34 Zoe Harrison and the one in four thousand 16:36 Italy shock Scotland — discipline, yellow cards, and a record bonus point 21:16 The table — what it means for Ireland, Italy and Scotland 25:05 Ireland v France — so close, so frustrating 29:03 Erin King, Aoife Wafer and the performances that gave us hope 34:27 The bench decisions that had us shouting at the screen 38:12 Do Ireland need to be in the referee's ear more? 43:11 The art of managing a referee — Chloe's masterclass 43:40 Belfast on the 9th of May — get your tickets