The Ruck Rugby Podcast

Premiership Rugby's Chief Growth Officer, Rob Calder, joins Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher to discuss the potential re-brand of the Gallagher Premiership. He worked for the ECB on the 'The Hundred' so chats about changing the league's name, neutral venue semi-finals and whether the final could be moved away from Twickenham? Plus, Sale Sharks' Sam James reflects on the club reaching the play-offs following a big win against Saracens and the boys go through the rest of the weekends action and look ahead to the Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse.

Ahead of the final weekend of the Premiership season Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher make the trip to Bear Country. They spend a day at Bristol Bears' high performance centre to get a behind the scenes look at the club, including chatting to director of rugby Pat Lam, COO Tom Tainton as well as James Dun, Joe Batley, Callum Sheedy and Harry Randall.

After Gloucester lost 90-0 away to Northampton, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Alfie Reynolds question whether they disrespected the Premiership by fielding a weaker side? Before that they also discuss the race for the play-offs as we head into the final weekend and debate the good, bad and unintended consequences - especially around the scrum - of World Rugby's law changes which will come into effect in July. Plus, they name their God or Goddess of the week.

It wasn't to be for Northampton Saints or Harlequins as they both lost in the Champions Cup semi-finals. Leinster and Toulouse, two of Europe's most prestigious clubs will contest the final at the end of May. Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher, Stuart Barnes and Peter O'Reilly look back on the action. They discuss the two great occasions in Toulouse and Dublin, question whether it was a missed opportunity for the English clubs and ask if Leinster have the mental strength to finally win it. Plus, Alfie talks to Gloucester's Lewis Ludlow as they got through to the Challenge Cup final and the boys name their God or Goddess of the week.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher review another weekend of domestic rugby as the Gallagher Premiership served up contrasting matches in Bath v Saracens and Harlequins v Northampton, both of which were fascinating! They chat about officiating controversy and the race for the play-offs, Rocky Clark joins the pod to look back on the conclusion of the Women's 6 Nations as England won another Grand Slam. Plus, the boys preview the Champions Cup semi-finals and name their God or Goddess of the week.

Ahead of Harlequins facing Northampton Saints at Twickenham this weekend and with a big Champions Cup semi-final on the horizon against Toulouse; Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe head to the training ground to find out what makes the club unique. They speak to Chandler Cunningham-South, Cadan Murley, CEO Laurie Dalrymple and Head Coach Danny Wilson about the clubs playing philosophy, putting on big events at Twickenham and the Premiership run-in.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Elgan Alderman reflect on the weekend's action in the Premiership and Women's 6 Nations, including huge wins for the Red Roses and Bristol. Following England's comfortable victory over Ireland at Twickenham Alex chats with broadcaster Johnnie Hammond about the competitive balance to the women's tournament. And, with Newcastle shipping over eighty points to Bristol, where do the north-east club go from here? Plus, they name their God or Goddess of the week.

With England set to host Ireland at Twickenham in the Women's 6 Nations this weekend Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Elgan Alderman head up to Pennyhill Park to go behind the scenes of the Red Roses training camp. They speak to head coach John Mitchell as well as Sydney Gregson and Ellie Kildunne about what drives the number one team in the world to keep improving, teacher training, unexpected job interviews and much more!

Following the Champions Cup quarter-finals Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Alan Dymock review the weekend. Alex was in France for Harlequins' sensational win away to Bordeaux and Exeter's defeat to Toulouse. They question whether South African sides being involved in a 'European' competition is currently working and how the issues facing the tournament can be resolved, after the Bulls made 13 changes for their trip to Northampton. And, Will chats with Harlequins scrum coach Adam Jones to review their historic win.