Shows / The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley.
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Episodes
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Andy Farrell's Lions fire the first shot in Australia
As was widely expected, the Lions were too strong for Australia during Saturday’s first Test in Brisbane. How did Andy Farrell’s side go about working past Joe…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
How can the depleted Wallabies survive a Lions onslaught?
The teams have been named for Saturday’s first Lions Test and Australia are missing a number of big names. With Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Slow Lions build-up finally culminates in Test week
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to recap the weekend’s action: South Africa’s hijinks, Ireland’s century and the Lions’ final warm-up…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Does Andy Farrell know his best Lions XV yet?
The rugby action continues to come thick and fast. John O’Sullivan is in Portugal to preview Ireland’s clash in Lisbon, and he joins host Nathan Johns for…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Ireland impress as the Lions struggle
The rugby action continues at full steam ahead. The Lions struggled against the Waratahs in Sydney while Ireland’s second string impressed in Tbilisi…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Who needs to make an impact on Ireland’s summer tour?
While the Lions tour continues on its merry way, Ireland are back in action for the first time since the Six Nations. John O’Sullivan is in Tbilisi for their…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Which Irish players have impressed for the Lions?
A busy weekend of rugby action saw plenty of Irish involvement in the Lions win over the Western Force, a Top14 final for the ages in France, Peter O’Mahony…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Tom Court - Ireland's accidental Lion
Lions tours are full of stories of players being called up last minute, dashing across the world to get an opportunity to pull on the red jersey. Former…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Will the Lions tour save Australian rugby?
Imagine Irish rugby had to compete with a professional GAA and a thriving League of Ireland for talent. Would the country still be so successful? That is the…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
The Lions in Dublin - what to expect?
After a lengthy build-up, the Lions tour is finally upon us. Andy Farrell and co come to Dublin on Friday night to take on Argentina before travelling down…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Have Leinster answered their critics with this URC title win?
After weeks of criticism, Leinster have answered their Champions Cup disappointment in the best way possible. A first trophy since 2021 was secured by beating…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
How can Leinster end their Bulls hoodoo?
Leinster have played the Bulls twice in knockouts since 2022. Both times, they lost. The South African game plan has been clear: beat them up front. But are…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Will Leinster’s siege mentality help them win the URC?
After weeks of consistent (yet fair) criticism, Leinster turned in a performance to silence the critics. At least for now, their ultimate test for this season…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Which Ireland players will step up for the summer squad while the Lions are away?
It may be URC semi-final week, but the rugby news cycle has been dominated by events away from Leinster. Connacht have pulled off a big-name managerial signing…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Munster’s shootout defeat - the dark arts in rugby, yay or nay?
Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to talk through a dramatic URC quarter-final weekend. Munster’s shootout defeat to the Sharks in Durban has dominated the…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
How can the provinces break France’s dominance?
Gerry Thornley joins the latest episode of The Counter Ruck fresh off his trip to Cardiff to watch the Champions Cup final. He breaks down the future landscape…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Why Leinster now have to win the URC
This weekend was a quiet one for Irish rugby, with no provincial involvement in the Champions Cup final. Still, plenty of intriguing storylines emerged; Noel…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Is French club rugby becoming more popular than Ligue 1?
Bordeaux seem to represent a rare enough phenomenon; a domestic rugby team growing in both on-field and commercial success. They are the best attended club in…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Were the IRFU right to cut the men’s Sevens?
Nearly a week on from the IRFU’s decision to cut the men’s Sevens programme, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to debate the merits of the…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
‘Getting the top two inches ready’ - How important is sports psychology to breaking a losing habit?
Inevitably, plenty of public commentary in the last few weeks has focused on Leinster’s inability to get over the line in big games. Clearly, they have the…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Have rugby fans stopped caring about the URC?
This weekend was a crucial round of URC action, with Munster and Ulster squaring off for playoff places, Connacht looking to stay in the hunt and Leinster…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Who is in the most Irish Lions squad of all time and why?
Andy Farrell has picked his long-awaited Lions squad ahead of this summer’s tour to Australia. 15 Irishmen have been named, a record for the touring side, just…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Where do Leinster go next after more Champions Cup heartache?
Prior to Saturday, Leinster hadn’t conceded a point in European knockout action this year. No team had run in five tries against them in this competition since…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Leinster vs Northampton - the comeback final revisited
Just one Irish province is in action this weekend, with Leinster taking on Northampton in the Champions Cup semi-finals. Joining Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Will Leinster be the only Irish team in the URC knockouts?
For the first time since 2015, all four Irish provinces lost on a single weekend of domestic action. Add this to Ireland women’s defeat to Scotland to wrap up…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Should the 7-1 split be outlawed?
The now infamous 7-1 forward split on the bench hit the headlines once again recently when World Rugby announced they would not be outlawing the practice. The…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
How to fix the Champions Cup?
The Champions Cup is not the competition it used to be. For all Munster’s recent trips to France provided a feel-good window of sport at its best, plenty of…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Why do Leinster keep signing All Blacks?
On any other day, an Irish provincial coach leaving his job with immediate effect would be front page news. As it happens, on the same day Pete Wilkins…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Will Champions Cup blowouts come back to haunt Leinster?
Watching the Champions Cup rugby action over the weekend, Gordon D’Arcy was taken by young Henry Pollock. The 20-year-old England flanker scored twice for…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Joey Carbery, Munster and Ireland - where did it all go wrong?
Munster’s reward for their victory in La Rochelle is a Champions Cup quarter-final tie away in Bordeaux. Their former outhalf, Joey Carbery, started for the…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
How did Munster stun O’Gara’s La Rochelle?
The weekend’s rugby action brought a result to remember for Munster in their first competitive outing against La Rochelle, coached by their former outhalf…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
A history of Leinster and Harlequins' 'bloody' rivalry
Irish players prepare for another European weekend of action, with Leinster taking on Harlequins, Munster playing La Rochelle in the Ronan O’Gara derby, Ulster…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
How did Leinster’s young guns outmatch the Sharks?
Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review the weekend’s action. How did Connacht fail to take advantage of Munster’s red card in the test in the west? How…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Have the Lions left Ireland in the lurch?
On Wednesday, Andy Farrell confirmed three Irish coaches would be his assistants for the upcoming Lions tour. Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Andrew Goodman…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
The gap between club and international rugby is widening - here's why it matters
This weekend saw a series of thrilling, high scoring matches in the United Rugby Championship. Leinster, Munster and Connacht all lost - Ulster provided the…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
What next for the provinces after the Six Nations?
Attention turns to provincial action and the women’s Six Nations after a lengthy men’s international campaign. With senior internationals set to be rested…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Are Ireland only Europe’s third best team?
Ireland’s final standing in the Six Nations depends on how you frame it. Third in Europe behind France and England doesn’t sound ideal. But plenty are young…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Steve Aboud: the Irishman who saved Italian rugby
Steve Aboud is widely credited with revitalising Italy’s youth development. A number of the players leading the country’s rise from the bottom of the Six…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Is it easy to over-react to Ireland’s French defeat?
It’s been a long time since Ireland were beaten as badly as Saturday’s French shellacking. Back in 2022 they also lost to 15 points away in New Zealand. Not…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Is Ireland vs France the best rivalry of the modern era?
For the third time in as many years, it looks that the winner of Ireland’s clash with France will go on to win the Six Nations. Who, then, are the favourites…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Are France better at developing young players than Ireland?
A regular talking point when Ireland take on France is the competitively younger age of the French line up. Louis Bielle-Biarrey debuted when he was still…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Is Ireland’s production line of talent beginning to falter?
Last weekend, either side of Ireland’s Six Nations victory in Cardiff, other Irish sides struggled. The U20s were on the wrong side of the result in Newport…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
How Ireland escaped Cardiff unscathed
Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to debrief the weekend’s Six Nations action. We discuss silly season in the media, how Sam Prendergast can improve tackle…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Bold and brave team selection from Ireland and Wales ahead of Six Nations clash
Ireland have shuffled the pack ahead of the trip to Cardiff to take on Wales this Saturday. Dan Sheehan captains in place of the injured Caelan Doris, while…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Who has been added to Ireland’s Six Nations squad and why?
After the first fallow weekend, the Six Nations kicks back into gear this week with Ireland travelling to Cardiff. However, across the first two rounds of the…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Will a new coach bounce for Wales cause Ireland problems?
This week brought the news that Warren Gatland is no longer head coach of Wales. Given their recent 14-match losing run, that Gatland could not continue will…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Ireland’s Scottish win has all roads leading to France
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through Ireland’s comfortable victory over Scotland at Murrayfield. Are Ireland the most…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
How do Ireland avoid a Scottish banana skin?
Ireland have not lost to Scotland since 2017, but it seems every year since then the Scots feel closer and closer to ending their hoodoo. Will this year…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Are Ireland Six Nations favourites?
After an impressive, comfortable victory over England, do Ireland rival France as favourites for this year’s Six Nations? As Gordon D’Arcy points out on…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Can Ireland afford to lose to England?
The Six Nations is upon us. Momentum in this tournament is key and Ireland start with one of the harder fixtures with the visit of Steve Borthwick’s England…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Who will start at 10 for Ireland during the Six Nations?
It’s Six Nations week. Ireland get their campaign underway with a tricky assignment against England next weekend. Now under the leadership of Simon Easterby…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Who will win the Leinster Schools Rugby Senior Cup?
It’s that time of year when Schools rugby, the single most important development tool in Ireland, kicks into gear with the Senior Cup in all four provinces…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Are Leinster and Toulouse destined for another European final?
Now we know the knockout draw for the Champions Cup, can anyone get in the way of another Leinster vs Toulouse showdown in the final? Can Noel McNamara and…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Ireland’s Six Nations squad, winners and losers
Ireland recently named their squad for the six nations. Widely seen as a continuity selection, there are still a number of talking points. What does Tom Ahern…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Leinster win in La Rochelle - grit or alarm bells?
Leinster have now beaten La Rochelle on three consecutive occasions. Is this a sign they have turned the corner against bigger French sides, or was it a…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
‘I’ve been involved a lot in turnarounds’: Michael Cheika on his coaching philosophy and career to date
Michael Cheika was the head coach who guided Leinster to their first European crown in 2009. Now, coaching Leicester Tigers, he squares off against Irish…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Who are Ireland’s next young rugby stars?
No provincial men’s rugby took place this weekend but Ireland U20s did play their final warm-up match before their Six Nations campaign gets underway in a few…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Should Irish rugby encourage more loan moves like Harry Byrne’s?
Harry Byrne recently caused a bit of a shock by moving from Leinster to Bristol on a short term loan. On paper, the move makes sense, given Byrne’s lack of…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Is the gap widening between Leinster and the other provinces?
Munster defence coach Denis Leamy recently described Leinster as ‘brilliantly boring’ due to their current style of play. After watching the weekend’s festive…
- The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
Is Ireland's central contract system in need of radical change?
When news of Leinster's signing of All Black Jordie Barrett broke back in April of this year, opinion was split. Was it a fair reflection of the dominant…