The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast

As the rugby season continues to draw closer, Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to talk Leinster’s return to the RDS, Munster’s outhalf crisis, optimism for Connaht and Ulster ahead of the new campaign plus World Rugby’s continuing bid to crack the American market.

Produced by John Casey and Andrew McNair.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John O'Sullivan joins Gordon D'Arcy and host Nathan Johns to discuss his recent chat with Leo Cullen as he heads into his final season as Leinster head coach.

Several successors have been discussed on this podcast and elsewhere, but is there one potential candidate that could provide the continuity Leinster will need?

And why have the province brought in so few new faces while their rivals have added squad depth?

Plus, as New Zealand and South Africa head into the fourth and final test of their much-hyped 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series, the panel mull over what they've learned a year out from the World Cup.

Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As world rugby moves away from multi match tours, instead preferring the nations championship, two of its biggest brands are going the other way.

Ditching traditional southern hemisphere competitions, New Zealand are embarking on a lions style tour of South Africa.

Is this good for the game or a shameless cash grab, two bigger nations going out on their own?

South African journalist Daniel Gallan joins Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Noah Byrne, a member of the Irish U20s, recently opted to move to Aussie rules instead of taking a Leinster academy contract.

Is a move like this, often seen in GAA circles, going to become more prevalent in rugby, or are we dealing with a fascinating one off?

Produced by Andrew McNair and John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After defeat to the All Blacks wrapped up Ireland’s season, Nathan Johns, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan talk through Ireland’s ups and downs.

Firmly ranked below the world’s top sides, where do Ireland go from here as they look to close the gap next season?

How does the team balance its need to improve the attack with the personnel available? And what positions are looking stronger than others sixteen months out from the next World Cup?

Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.