The Ruck Rugby Podcast

Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are here for the first podcast of 2025!And because it is the first podcast of the year we have decided to kick things off with a bang! South Africa's double World Cup winning lock Eben Etzebeth joins us to reflect on his sensational 2024, his aims for the year ahead and his thoughts on South African sides in Europe and the huge clash this weekend with Toulouse!Plus.... Wlll and Alex give their halfway report on the Gallagher Premiership with the competition at its midway point, and we answer some of your criticism regarding our Lions Test XV

With 2025 right around the corner Alfie, Alex and Will look ahead to the British and Irish Lions tour next year. They sit down to select their starting Lions matchday twenty-three for the first test against the Wallabies and run into some interesting selection dilemmas! Should they pick players based in France? Does Owen Farrell go on the tour? And, is it dangerous to go with a 6-2 bench split?

As we reach the end of 2024 Alfie, Will and Alex have named their 15-a-side men's team for the year. Does Antoine Dupont get selected despite missing a chunk of the season to play 7s at the Olympics? Do any English players get in? And, what weighting do they give to the club game as well as international matches?

After the second round of action in Europe, Will, Alex and Elgan discuss if the South African teams are a help or hinderance to the competitionStormers head coach John Dobson was on the receiving end of a heavy defeat away at Harlequins, he joins the podcast to explain how he believes South African sides can remain competitive in the competition, and says it's too early to consider removing them.Northampton made it two wins from two in the competition, they defeated the Bulls away from home, and we speak to Alex Coles about the win and if it can be a springboard for success in their Premiership campaign.Plus we get an update on 'bonus gate' with the RFU set to hold a meeting later this week.

Following the opening round of the Champions Cup Alfie and Will look back on the action and question whether the fixtures revealed anything they didn't already know about the teams and the competition. They also discuss a disappointing set of results for the English clubs and look ahead to the games this coming weekend. Plus, they have an update on the RFU bonuses 'scandal' and the latest on Coventry wanting to earn promotion to the Premiership.

Following the news that Bill Sweeney and other RFU executives received hefty bonuses, Alfie Reynolds and Alex Lowe explain why this has happened when the union posted record losses. Alex reveals the reaction it has provoked from senior England players, RFU employees and the grassroots clubs and why it is another sign that those at the top of the RFU are out of touch. Plus, Alfie chats to the former Ireland international Simon Zebo to preview the start of the Champions Cup and the new women's 15s player of the year Ellie Kildunne.

England beat Japan on Sunday to finish their Autumn so Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher discuss where the team currently are and ask if they have an identity crisis? Alex chats to former England psychologist Dan Abrahams about the what they can do from a mental standpoint to change their tight losses into victories, Alfie and Mark Palmer reflect on Scotland ending the year with a win over the Wallabies, plus the boys talk about Warren Gatland's future and the World Player of the Year winners.

England's November internationals end this weekend as they host Eddie Jones' Japan at Twickenham. Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe look ahead to the match and ask what England have to gain following three losses on the bounce and question how many changes Steve Borthwick will make. Plus, Owen Slot joins to discuss Eddie Jones and his England tenure after his regime was put back in the headlines this month.

Alfie, Alex and Will are back, following defeats for Wales and England over the weekend, to talk about the future of Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland. Mark Palmer and Peter O'Reilly discuss wins for Ireland and Scotland. Plus, the boys chat about reports of a breakaway franchise league and whether it could revolutionise domestic rugby or destroy the current system and they react to the nominations for World Rugby's player of the year.