The Counter Ruck

The Irish Times

A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley.

Produced in association with Ohk Energy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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226 episodes
Updated Friday

Episodes226

Newest first

May 26 · 38 min
Where do Leinster and Ulster go from here?
And how do Irish teams narrow the gap to their French counterparts?
May 23 · 28 min
Leinster suffer Champions Cup humbling at the hands of Bordeaux
Nathan Johns is joined by Gerry Thornley in Bilbao
May 21 · 25 min
Can Leinster break their European hoodoo?
And will underdog tag suit Ulster against Montpellier?
May 19 · 26 min
How Leinster and Ulster warmed up for their European showdowns
Plus, record day for Ireland women
May 15 · 25 min
How all four Irish provinces can make the URC knockouts
Plus, Ireland’s record crowd at the Aviva
May 12 · 29 min
How Connacht are proving a stark contrast to reeling Munster
Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy pick through all the weekend's action
May 8 · 29 min
Is rugby’s TMO process fair?
Former referee Owen Doyle gives his thoughts
May 5 · 46 min
Leinster reach a record ninth Champions Cup final
Plus, Ulster ease past Exeter Chiefs for a shot at Challenge Cup glory
May 1 · 29 min
Leinster out to heal Champions Cup trauma; and is Aviva Stadium fatigue creeping in?
Nathan Johns is joined by Gerry Thornley to preview the weekend's action
April 28 · 30 min
How concerned should Leinster be for Europe after Benetton defeat?
Plus, was Ireland's defeat to France a reality check or was there some progress on show?
April 24 · 23 min
Could injuries derail Ulster's stellar season?
Plus, Ireland’s Six Nations French revenge tour
April 21 · 32 min
Leinster dismiss pretenders Ulster, Connacht find consistency and Ireland women crush Italy
Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D'Arcy
April 17 · 23 min
URC preview, women’s Six Nations and Munster’s controversial new appointment
Nathan Johns is joined by Irish Times rugby writer John O’Sullivan
April 14 · 39 min
Leinster have yet to fully find their mojo heading into a Champions Cup semi-final – when will it all click?
Plus, Ireland's women got their Six Nations campaign underway against England
April 9 · 33 min
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 women’s Six Nations opener, as well as a look ahead to Leinster, Connacht and Ulster’s European action, with a look at La Rochelle’s unique selection for their trip to Belfast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 7 · 54 min
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? Do Connacht and Ulster have legitimate silverware chances? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
April 3 · 35 min
Are we living in rugby's good old days?
Did the quality of attacking play in the Six Nations confirm a new golden era?
March 31 · 30 min
Transfer rumour mill runs hot as Irish provinces gear up for Europe
Plus, how did Jamie Osborne look back in the centre following a Six Nations campaign at 15?
March 27 · 28 min
Leinster Schools thriller + Munster's concerning financials
John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss the rugby news of the day
March 24 · 29 min
Leinster’s outhalf dilemma
Plus, provinces return to action with a bump