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The Counter Ruck

The Irish Times Rugby Podcast


Latest episode

  • Where do Ireland now stand in the Nations Championship?

    37:31|
    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 learn from the narrow win over the Wallabies? Are we likely to see many Irish debuts handed out over the three tests? And could Japan prove to be a potential banana skin given their wining display against Italy in their Nations Championship opener?Produced by John Casey.

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  • Reaction: Ireland squeeze home against Australia

    26:49|
    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 window? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey.
  • Can Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies upset Ireland?

    24:19|
    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 the Wallabies, will they put out a better showing than what we saw in Dublin last November and why both teams have selected in the way that they have.Produced by John Casey.
  • Ireland come up short against England in Under-20s World Championship

    30:25|
    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 with Australia kicks into gear. Nathan johns discusses it all with Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan.Produced by John Casey.
  • Who to look out for in Ireland U20s at the World Cup

    24:03|
    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 while we also look back on the 10-year anniversary of the stellar Ireland group that both beat New Zealand and reached the U20s World Cup final.Produced by John Casey.
  • Why is Leo Cullen leaving Leinster?

    17:22|
    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 atop the Leinster tree.Produced by John Casey.
  • Leinster win back-to-back URC titles

    21:44|
    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 ended the year with silverware after a comprehensive victory over the South African outfit. Produced by John Casey.