Share
The Counter Ruck
Was 2024 a successful year for Irish rugby?
•
We may only be halfway through the rugby season, but the end of the calendar year presents an opportunity to reflect nonetheless. Ireland won a Six Nations, qualified for a women’s World Cup, competed at the Olympics, beat the Black Ferns and won three out of four in November, so was this a successful year? Does the country continue to punch above its weight, and have we become spoiled as rugby fans? Or are we at a stage now when more is needed, especially at provincial level in terms of silverware?
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to look back on the year that was, while also pointing to what needs to improve for 2025 to bring more success to Irish rugby.
Produced by John Casey.
More episodes
View all episodes
URC preview, women’s Six Nations and Munster’s controversial new appointment
23:25|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 Stadium.They also preview Ulster’s crucial interpro with Leinster and look at where Connacht and Munster are currently in the URC standings. Plus, the controversy surrounding Munster’s new assistant coach hire Roger Randle.Produced by John Casey.Leinster have yet to fully find their mojo heading into a Champions Cup semi-final – when will it all click?
39:37|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 lost in France to Montpellier. And Ireland women got their Six Nations campaign underway with an expected yet somewhat encouraging defeat to England.Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to chat through the weekend’s rugby action.Produced by John Casey.What’s gone wrong in Munster?
33:40|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.Are Leinster champions cup contenders/how have things gone this badly wrong for Munster?
54:16|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.Are we living in rugby's good old days?
35:02|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 positive upswing in the state of the game as an entertainment product? Why are teams better at scoring now than in the best? Given the sport cycles through negativity around kicking and entertainment value, are we living through the sport’s good old days? Rugby analyst Sam Larner joins Nathan Johns to pick through the trends that explain why so many tries are being scored. Produced by John Casey.Transfer rumour mill runs hot as Irish provinces gear up for Europe
30:16|With word on Ireland eyeing up an Australian rugby prospect, Nathan johns and Gordon D’Arcy look at Ireland’s prop development pathway. Plus, how did Jamie Osborne look back in the centre following a Six Nations campaign at 15? How did Munster improve on a difficult South African tour? How are the provinces shaping up for a return to Europe?Produced by John Casey.Leinster Schools thriller + Munster's concerning financials
28:27|Plenty of rugby news warrants further discussion as a thrilling conclusion to the Leinster Schools Cup warranted a replay. Munster are also in the headlines after a concerning story that they are implementing voluntary redundancies after enduring some financial difficulty. John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss the rugby news of the day.Produced by John Casey.Leinster’s outhalf dilemma
29:43|A week after the conclusion of the Six Nations, the provinces returned to action. Bundee Aki headlined a statement win for Connacht over Ulster while Sam Prendergast and Leinster struggled away to Glasgow. A record defeat for Munster rounded off a tricky return to domestic action for the Irish sides. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey.Are Ireland trending in the right direction? What we learned from their Six Nations campaign
41:37|The Six Nations finished with a bang with Ireland’s Triple Crown win over Scotland and France’s thrilling escape act against England, a late affair that just denied Ireland the title. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through what we’ve learned from the tournament. From a dismal opening night in Paris to within touching distance of the title, how did Ireland trend in the right direction after a Six Nations that will live long in the memory.Produced by John Casey.