Ireland’s World Cup run ends at the quarter-final stage against France, but not without controversy. The infamous “bite” incident grabs headlines, but the real story is Ireland’s performance across the pitch, the progress of this campaign, and what it means heading into the next four-year cycle. Ailbhe and Cian are joined by Ireland prop Christy Haney and Munster Player of the Year Chloe Pearse to reflect on the defeat, from Linda Djougang’s relentless carrying to Ruth Campbell’s fearlessness in the tight exchanges. They dig into Ireland’s scrum and maul dominance, where the attack still needs to evolve, and how pathways and depth will shape the future. The episode also features Aoife Clarke, Communications Director with the IRFU, on the landmark announcement of Ireland v Scotland at the Aviva in 2026 — with ticket sales already breaking records and signalling a cultural shift in Irish rugby. 📸 Instagram → @mudderruckerpodcast 🟦 Bluesky → @mudderrucker.bsky.social 🎙️ Ailbhe → @irishwomens.bsky.social 📚 Cian → @rugbykino.bsky.social ▶️ YouTube → youtube.com/@MudderRucker 00:00 Introduction 00:25 Aoife Clarke's Journey with IRFU 01:09 Cultural Shift and Challenges 03:27 Social Media's Role in Women's Rugby 05:05 Upcoming Game and Ticket Sales 07:48 Reflecting on Past Matches and Future Goals 12:54 Quarterfinals Recap 14:49 Bite Gate Controversy 20:37 Game Analysis and Referee Critique 28:14 Player Performance Highlights 29:51 Scrum and Set Piece Analysis 31:55 Critical Moments and Player Mistakes 35:04 Future Prospects and Team Development 45:07 Upcoming Matches and Predictions 48:19 Retirements and Contract Controversies 53:16 Lucky Dip!
