The Counter Ruck

As this year’s European action kicked off with a mostly positive weekend for the provinces, one difference between Irish sides and those they squared off with became apparent: pace. For some time now, Ireland has not produced game-breaking wingers with top end speed. Why is this the case? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to pick through this issue which could become all the more pressing. One Irish wing did stand out from the weekend. Connacht’s Chay Mullins finally debuted after a lengthy stint playing Sevens. Could he be the answer? The panel also discuss how Europe no longer comes with the fanfare of years gone by, the quality of officiating from the weekend as well as the best of the provincial action.Produced by John Casey.Clips: A worldie from Shane Daly / Genius from Brian O’Driscoll / Lightning pace from Louis Bielle-Biarrey. 

After a narrow win over Australia wrapped up a mix bag of an Autumn Nations Series, The Counter Ruck pores through where Andy Farrell’s side finds itself heading into the new year. How can the attack return to its world leading status? Are Ireland evolving to stay in the pack? What is the latest in the current outhalf debate? Does Jack Crowley once again have the upper hand? What are Ireland actually doing differently, and are enough young players being blooded to ensure exciting times are ahead? All these questions and more are answered by Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns. We also look at the mental challenges of being involved in what promises to be a never-ending outhalf debate, while delving into the worrying financial picture currently facing the sport.Produced by John Casey.

Former Leinster and Ireland boss Joe Schmidt looks to have begun a miraculous turnaround with the Wallabies. From failing to get out of their poor group at last year’s World Cup and finishing bottom of the Rugby Championship, Schmidt has taken his side to the Northern Hemisphere this November and earned wins over England and Wales. But are his methods conducive to long term Australian success? Towards the end of his time on these shores, he became renowned for prescriptive rugby, for instructing his players to minimise risk. Does this chime with the historical Aussie penchant for attacking flair? Gordon D’Arcy used to play under Schmidt at Leinster and Ireland. Alongside Nathan Spooner, the former Leinster and Australia outhalf, we talk through Schmidt’s philosophy. Is he as one-dimensional a coach as people might think? Can he adapt his own methods to stay ahead of the game? What is Schmidt doing differently with Australia to what he implemented with Ireland? Does rugby’s move to a more unstructured game plan suit Ireland or Australia better? We also look back at the 2001 Celtic League Cup final, where D’Arcy and Spooner combined in the Leinster backline to secure a famous victory over Munster at Lansdowne Road.Produced by John Casey.Email the pod on rugbypod@irishtimes.com.

Ireland put in their best display of this November window with a 52-17 thumping of Fiji. Was this a return to the good form of old or was it a case of achieving the bare minimum against a Fijian side which flattered to deceive? Was Sam Prendergast fortunate to not be sent off? Where does his display leave the ongoing outhalf debate? Host Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to pick through the positives of Ireland’s performance.Andy Farrell was largely vindicated in his squad rotation, but what does that mean for the matchday squad ahead of the final match of this window? What is the Joe Schmidt effect of next Saturday’s visit of the Wallabies?Produced by John Casey.

Everyone seems to love to watch Fiji, but what is it about the Pacific Island nation that is so endearing? Is it their thrilling style of play, nostalgia for larger than life characters of years past, or simply the fact that they have improved to be a genuine threat at rugby’s top table? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to chat through their memories of Fijian rugby. Gordon recalls a difficult day marking Sevens legend Waisale Serevi, while John points out his fondness for a number of Fijian payers he has covered. The panel also analyses Fiji’s structural improvement under former Leinster assistant coach Mick Byrne. Are they now a genuine threat to beat Ireland for the first time in their history?Produced by John Casey.

Ireland won ugly against Argentina while England once again produced an at times scintillating performance, only to lose to South Africa. Whose camp would you rather be in? Host Nathan Johns argues that England’s superior attacking game means it’s more likely everything else will click in time, while former Ireland international Gordon D’Arcy prefers to be developing a winning habit, even if it isn’t pretty. Who is right will become evident during next year’s Six Nations. For now, Nathan, Gordon and John O’Sullivan pick through Ireland’s win over Felipe Contepomi’s Argentina. Why is the formerly potent attack stalling? Are the forwards providing enough ballast? What to make of the ongoing outhalf merry-go-round? Will widespread changes be made for the visit of Fiji?Produced by John Casey.

In a wide ranging chat, Contepomi joins host Nathan Johns and former teammate Gordon D’Arcy to look back at their time playing together at the RDS, Contepomi’s relationship with Michael Cheika - who he worked with at both Leinster and Argentina - and reflect on how the sport has evolved, both for the better and the worse, since his playing days. Now in the middle of their November tour of Europe, the former Leinster outhalf has called on his charges to back up last week’s thumping win over Italy with another stellar performance at the Aviva Stadium on Friday night. Produced by John Casey.Clip: Felipe’s delightful chip and chase against Munster.

How worried should Irish rugby be after a disheartening defeat to the All Blacks? Is it time to make significant changes to the team? Are sides starting to figure out Ireland’s famed attack? Does this result already render the November window a disappointment? John O’Sullivan returns to The Counter Ruck alongside Gordon D’Arcy and host Nathan Johns to conduct the post mortem on what was a bitterly disappointing Friday evening. Featuring reaction from Ireland head coach Andy Farrell, the panel looks at what can change ahead of the visit of Argentina.Produced by John Casey.Clip: Fiji’s Josua Tuisova with a handoff for the ages (from 3.53).