The Counter Ruck

• Rugby’s stylistic direction of travel - is it for the best?

  With Leinster and Leicester squaring off in Europe this week, Jimmy Gopperth - a former outhalf for both sides - joins ex-teammate Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns. We look back at an interesting time in Leinster’s history, the years when they were coached by Matt O’Connor. We also chat about Irish rugby’s tactical evolution in the last 10 years, as well as the direction of travel of the sport more generally, given Gopperth’s experience playing for 10 different clubs across the world.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Munster fall as Leinster fail to impress in Europe

  Round one of European action has been and gone as Leinster won in unconvincing fashion over an understrength Harlequins side, Munster fell away to Bath, Connacht lost to Ospreys and Ulster hammered Racing at home in Belfast. Are Leinster leaving it till too late in the season to kick into gear? Is Munster’s defeat terminal to their European ambitions? Were Ulster the only Irish province to actually impress across the opening weekend? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss all the action.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Ireland's path to World Cup redemption + European preview

  Two years out from the World Cup, Ireland now know who they are playing after Wednesday’s draw. The fixture dates come next February as World Rugby look for spikes of ‘hype’, a tactic which divides the opinion of our panel. Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to look at Ireland’s draw and preview the upcoming European action. Leinster may well have a chance to blood a few newer faces due to injury, while Munster face a fascinating trip to take on old friend Johann van Graan in Bath. In the Challenge Cup, Ulster and Connacht will look to continue their strong league form against Racing and Ospreys respectively. We preview all the action as European matches return.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Why are Irish rugby tickets so expensive?

  During the November window, the IRFU released their financial accounts for the previous year. Inevitably, they were asked about rising ticket prices for games at the Aviva Stadium. Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley reported that the cost of a ticket has increased by 80 per cent in the past 12 years. Why does rugby charge more for the in-ground experience, compared to other sports? There’s a lot in this: the financial health of the sport, ticket vs TV revenue, how tickets are sold through clubs, the corporate nature of the audience and a new Nations League competition which is supposed otherwise boost broadcast income. Gerry joins The Counter Ruck to discuss it all.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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• Is international rugby becoming unwatchable?

  There have been postmortems aplenty on the state of Irish rugby after the November window. But what of the international window as a whole. Officiating is arguably a hot a topic as it ever has been - and not in a good way. Stylistically, law tweaks have more and more teams striving for efficiency and playing in similar styles, ones which are not always popular among the crowds. Whatever about results and Irish fortunes, as a spectacle, is international rugby still a good watch?Host Nathan Johns is joined by Irish Times ruby writer John O’Sullivan.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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