PODCAST: Ronan O’Gara and Kev McLaughlin on The Hard Yards

Outstanding underage talents, player contracts, money in rugby, New Zealand's injuries, Beauden Barrett, Ian McKinley, a Pro 12 preview and more.

Ronan O'Gara and Kevin McLaughlin are in studio with SportsJOE's Pat McCarry and host Andy McGeady plus we talk to Andy Rowe from The Rugby Pod about New Zealand's preparation for the Lions. 1:30 - The lads tells us the best player they played with at schools and underage 3:50 - What should young players focus on, size or skills? 8:00 - The biggest advance Irish rugby needs to make improvements 9:55 - "Get back in, you're not ready to train, go away you loser." - ROG on some harsh words about his preparation. 12:35 - Kev reveals how close he was to losing his rugby career at Leinster 17:45 - How the squad reacts when there's uncertainty about players' futures 20:20 - Do players talk about how much money they earn in the dressing room? 23:20 - Kev explains how the negotiation of a new contract actually works 25:50 - ROG on how Brian O'Driscoll helped him during his contract talks with the IRFU 29:00 - The lads on why the grass isn't always greener abroad 32:00 - Will more Irish players move abroad in the next few years? 36:35 - The Rugby Pod's Andy Rowe talks to us about New Zealand's recent injury crisis 41:17 - ROG on his experiences in New Zealand 43:13 - Kev on playing with Ireland in New Zealand 45:50 - Andy Rowe on the key elements in this current All Blacks side 47:50 - "Every picture that's presented to him, he has a solution." - ROG on Beauden Barrett's outstanding qualities 49:20 - Kev talks about the media backlash he got after an incident with Richie McCaw 53:30 - The guys talk about Ian McKinley's call-up to the Italy squad 56:00 - A Pro12 betting preview with Hayley O'Connor from Ladbrokes