Ep.53 – France Just Go Wildcat with Bernard Jackman

France blew the 2025 Six Nations tournament apart when they thumped Ireland last weekend in Dublin, and the fallout is still fresh in the mind of former Ireland international turned renowned pundit Bernard Jackman, who joined Brett McKay & Harry Jones for this week’s episode of The 8-9 Combo Rugby Podcast. The 15-point margin largely flattered Ireland, with Bernard glowing in his praise for the French team, honest in his own underestimations of Les Bleus, and clear still very disappointed about where Ireland now find themselves. It’s a wonderful chat that gets to the bottom of so much. There’s some interesting discussion around Wales being the most likely source of upset in this weekend’s final round, too. Plus, Brett & Harry’s thoughts on Super Rugby Pacific, Japan Rugby League One, and Major League Rugby. Games of the Week: • Six Nations: Italy v Ireland, Rome Wales v England, Cardiff France v Scotland, Paris • SRP Rd.5: Reds v Waratahs, Brisbane • JRL1 Week 13: Kobelco Kobe Steelers v Mie Honda Heat, Kobe • MLR Rd.5: Chicago Hounds v Old Glory DC, Chicago #rugby #rugbypodcast #89Combo #SixNations #Ireland #France # Scotland #Wales #England #Italy #SuperRugbyPacific #UnitedRugbyChampionship #Top14 #JapanRugbyLeagueOne #MajorLeagueRugby Find us: YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@8-9Combo?sub_confirmation=1 Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/1BcKhb24YOtwQhKc0S3sDm Apple: https://podcasts.apple.com/au/podcast/the-8-9-combo-rugby-podcast/id1729575866 Social media: #89Combo Twitter: https://twitter.com/89combo BlueSky: https://bsky.app/profile/89combo.bsky.social Find Brett and Harry on both Twitter and on BlueSky: @BMcSport + @HaribaldiJones Music: "Stalling" by Topher Mohr & Alex Elena (via YouTube Creator Studio) Voiceovers by Chookman + Sean Maloney Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices