The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast
The Irish Times
239 episodes
A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley.
More about the show
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Episodes page 1 of 5
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Could Tadhg Furlong miss the Nations Championship over alleged genital grab?
Following Tadhg Furlong’s citing for an alleged groin grab on Gavin Coombes during Saturday’s clash between Leinster and Munster, the question looms about whether a ban, should one be imposed, would mean for Ireland's…
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Can this Ireland squad make an impact on the Nations Champsionship?
Andy Farrell announced a very familiar looking extended squad for Ireland’s Nations Championship campaign, save for the inclusion of Ulster’s Jamie Benson. On today’s Counter Ruch rugby podcast, host Nathan Johns and…
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Are the provinces fortunes turning after a clean sweep in Europe?
It’s not long since we were talking about a weekend of four defeats for all four provinces. The weekend’s action in round one of the European competitions was the opposite with four wins. In today’s podcast Nathan…
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Steven Kitshoff: World Cup glory, the Rassie factor, and his time at Ulster
Steven Kitshoff, the former South Africa and Ulster prop, joins Nathan Johns on The Counter Ruck. Kitshoff has won two World Cups with South Africa and has worked extensively with both Rassie Erasmus and Jacques…
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First interpro excites while Leinster return to winning ways at the RDS
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the weekend’s interpro action. Friday night saw Connacht struggle away in Glasgow with the set-piece and maul proving an issue. The panel discusses…
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A new era for Munster?
Following Munster’s appointment of former Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee as CEO, can the province build towards former glories? In today’s Counter Ruck rugby podcast Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley look back at…
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Irish 10s steal the limelight on an encouraging URC weekend
After round one saw all four Irish provinces lose to kick off the URC season, this weekend brought a more encouraging set of results spearheaded by impressive outhalf displays. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to…
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Is Irish and British domestic rugby broken?
Andrew Trimble and London Irish chairman Daniel McKeown want to examine rugby’s governance. Looking at the money flowing in at a the international level, they want to know why so many clubs are still struggling.…
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Historic opening weekend ends in defeat for all Irish provinces
For the first time since 2009, all four Irish provinces started their domestic campaign with defeat. With Connacht and Ulster both losing at home on Friday night, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan reflect on the teams…
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Big URC preview and how did Ireland throw away victory vs the USA?
On Sunday, international rugby returned to these shores as Ireland women took on the USA in Tallaght. Despite an impressive first half showing, not to mention pulling 19 points clear after half-time, Ireland…
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Leinster's RDS bump and Munster's outhalf crisis
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…
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As Leo Cullen prepares for his final season in charge, why haven't Leinster strengthened?
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…
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Why are New Zealand embarking on their own Lions tour?
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…
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The AFL comes for Irish rugby
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…
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Where do Ireland go from here?
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…
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Reaction: New Zealand ease to victory over Ireland
What to make of Ireland’s 40-21 defeat to New Zealand on Saturday? A chastening, worrying performance or simply a fair reflection of Ireland’s place in the current global pecking order? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan…
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Underdog Ireland gear up for All Blacks test
Nathan Johns and John O’Sullivan pick through Andy Farrell’s team selection ahead of this weekend’s clash with the All Blacks. Are Ireland deservedly underdogs or are we gearing up for another famous win on Kiwi soil?…
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Irish rugby's state of the union down under
Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns on the line from Auckland to give his take on being at Ireland’s victory over Japan on Saturday. We also delve into David Humphreys’ media roundtable last week after the IRFU’s…
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Reaction: Ireland run in five tries as they beat Japan
After a 36-20 victory over Japan, Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns analyse Ireland’s performance in their latest Nations Championship action. What debutants put in strong performances? Did established…
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What to make of Ireland's rotation for Japan?
Former Leinster and Scotland analyst Brett Igoe joins Nathan Johns to pick through the facts, figures and trends of last weekend’s Nations Championship action. We also look at Ireland’s heavily rotated team selection…
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Where do Ireland now stand in the Nations Championship?
Fresh off Ireland’s victory over Australia in Sydney, Gerry Thornley dials in from Australia to discuss that win as well as the weekend of Nations Championship rugby as a whole with host Nathan Johns. What did we…
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Reaction: Ireland squeeze home against Australia
Ireland squeezed home against Australia after a Thomas Clarkson try and a missed kick from Ben Donaldson with the clock in the red. Was this a gutsy, narrow win on the road or a worryingly rusty start to their summer…
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Can Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies upset Ireland?
Andy Farrell and Ireland begin their latest bloc of fixtures with a clash against Australia in Sydney. Jonathan Drennan of the Sydney Morning Herald joins Nathan Johns to discuss why Joe Schmidt is still in charge of…
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Ireland come up short against England in Under-20s World Championship
Ireland U20s began their Under-20s World Championship campaign with defeat in Tbilisi, and it was déjà vu as Toulouse secured another Top14 title. It’s also the start of an Ireland test week as the build-up to a clash…
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Who to look out for in Ireland U20s at the World Cup
No Irish senior rugby this weekend but Ireland U20s do get their World Cup campaign underway in Georgia on Saturday. John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through the players to keep an eye on and Ireland’s hopes…
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Why is Leo Cullen leaving Leinster?
Monday saw Leinster announce that Leo Cullen will leave the province once his contract expires at the end of next season. Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through why he’s going and who could replace Cullen…
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Leinster win back-to-back URC titles
Reaction: Leinster outclass the Bulls to win URC crown Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns pick through Leinster’s URC final victory over the Bulls. After Champions Cup disappointment in Bilbao, Leo Cullen’s side have…
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What to make of Andy Farrell's Ireland squad to tour Australia and New Zealand
Shorn of multiple players due to injury, Andy Farrell has named his group to tour Australia and New Zealand this summer. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through who is in and who might…
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Why is James Lowe leaving Leinster?
With confirmation arriving that James Lowe will leave Leinster, in theory ruling him out of Ireland’s World Cup bid next year, Irish Times rugby writer John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss how talks broke…
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Leinster into another final, but are their fans buying into their URC run?
Leinster beat the Stormers on Saturday to secure another URC final appearance as they once again meet the Bulls in the final. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through the action, look at where Leo Cullen’s…
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Are Leinster being set up tactically for success?
A number of narratives have emerged in an attempt to explain Leinster’s European malaise under the current coaching staff. Is Jacques Nienaber’s new system the problem or, rather, has he been given enough coaching…
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Have Leinster hit their ceiling this season?
The season has come to a close for Connacht and Munster after their respective URC quarter-final defeats. Leinster meanwhile beat a lacklustre Lions side to stay alive and reach the semi-finals. Gordon D’Arcy joins…
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How Bordeaux outfoxed Leinster and URC quarter-finals preview
Former Leinster and Scotland analyst Brett Igoe joined Nathan Johns for a deep dive into the tactics Bordeaux used to outthink Leinster in the Champions Cup final. Brett also casts his analyst’s eye over Connacht and…
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Where do Leinster and Ulster go from here?
After sobering defeats for both Leinster and Ulster in European deciders, Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy look back at the weekend. Analysis of where things went wrong plus thoughts on how Irish teams might be able to…
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Leinster suffer Champions Cup humbling at the hands of Bordeaux
Both Leinster and Ulster struck early in their respective finals, only to be pegged back soon after as both sides suffered chastening defeats. Is this Leinster's most damaging final defeat since they last won the…
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Can Leinster break their European hoodoo?
Cautious optimism has started to build as Leinster bid to break their finals losing streak in European action. Underdogs against Bordeaux, is this the year they finally win a coveted fifth star? What of Ulster’s…
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How Leinster and Ulster warmed up for their European showdowns
In front of a record-breaking crowd, Ireland women powered past Scotland to finish their Six Nations campaign. Meanwhile Connacht and Munster secured their top eight spots in the URC, Ulster narrowly missed out while…
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How all four Irish provinces can make the URC knockouts
John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to preview the weekend’s rugby action. How can all four Irish provinces make the URC top eight? Are Ulster prioritising the Challenge Cup final over their last URC outing? Plus, how…
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How Connacht are proving a stark contrast to reeling Munster
Did Connacht’s stability off the field manifest itself in their dominant victory over Munster, given the chaos engulfing their provincial rivals? What of a glut of refereeing decisions that prompted debate over the…
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Is rugby’s TMO process fair?
Controversy surrounded the weekend’s Champions Cup action after a number of head contacts were supposedly missed by the officials. Was this genuine error, issues with TV directors or something else wrong with the…
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Leinster reach a record ninth Champions Cup final
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to review the weekend’s action. Leinster and Ulster are both heading to European finals but with varying degrees of positivity surrounding their performance. Do…
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Leinster out to heal Champions Cup trauma; and is Aviva Stadium fatigue creeping in?
During the week, it was announced that Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final with Toulon had sold 30,000 tickets. Now, closer to kick-off, that figure is likely to rise, but it is notable that on the week of a big…
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How concerned should Leinster be for Europe after Benetton defeat?
Provincial action, women’s Six Nations and the business end of the AIL club season - this weekend had plenty. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review it all. Is the battle for the URC top eight just going to come…
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Could injuries derail Ulster's stellar season?
John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to preview the weekend’s rugby action. From Munster’s key interpro with an injury-ravaged Ulster to Ireland’s Six Nations French revenge tour, not to mention AIL finals weekend,…
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Leinster dismiss pretenders Ulster, Connacht find consistency and Ireland women crush Italy
Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through the weekend’s rugby action. Did Ulster let themselves down against a Leinster shorn of first choice players? How did Leo Cullen’s men shut down one of the URC’s best…
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URC preview, women’s Six Nations and Munster’s controversial new appointment
John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to talk through Ireland’s home start to their Six Nations campaign against Italy this Saturday after defeat to England last week in front of a record crowd of 77,120 at the Allianz…
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Leinster have yet to fully find their mojo heading into a Champions Cup semi-final – when will it all click?
Leinster are in the Champions Cup semi-finals after beating Sale while Ulster find themselves in the Challenge Cup last four thanks to victory over La Rochelle. They will not be joined by Connacht, though, after they…
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What’s gone wrong in Munster?
Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through the wreckage of Munster’s European campaign. The rot on the pitch appears to stem from deeper lying issues off it. Plus, news on Ireland’s team selection for their…
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Are Leinster champions cup contenders/how have things gone this badly wrong for Munster?
After Leinster impressed but confounded in equal measure in their latest Champions Cup outing, what to make of their tournament hopes? How have Munster found themselves already out of Europe’s second tier competition?…
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Are we living in rugby's good old days?
Rugby is experiencing a wave of positivity after the recent Six Nations. We saw a record number of tries scored in the competition as attacking rugby was on full display. Does this mean we are living through a…
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