The Counter Ruck

The Counter Ruck episodes:

• 04.18.2024

  Is Ireland's central contract system broken?

  News of Leinster's recent signing of All Black Jordie Barrett has split opinion. Is this a fair reflection of the dominant province flexing their muscle, or an unfair benefit of the IRFU paying their best players via national contracts? Next...

  
• 04.08.2024

  Interview - Dannah O'Brien, Ireland's great outhalf hope

  Few things get the Irish rugby public as excited as a young talent at outhalf. Dannah O'Brien has been on the scene for a while now, making her debut against Japan in 2022. Fresh off starting in Ireland's defeat to...

  
• 04.02.2024

  How Leicester inspired Leinster's drive to the top

  Former Ireland, Leinster and Leicester backrow Shane Jennings joins Gordon D'Arcy and host Nathan Johns. The historical links between Leinster and Leicester, opponents this weekend in the Champions Cup, are profound. In 2005, Jennings and current Leinster head coach Leo...

  
• 03.25.2024

  Ireland show green shoots in France defeat

  Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns talk through Ireland's defeat to France to begin the women’s Six Nations. We also pick through the best of the action following a mixed weekend for the provinces in the URC. A week on from...

  
• 03.21.2024

  Women's Six Nations - can Ireland avoid another wooden spoon?

  Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign a number of months after winning the first edition of the WXV3 competition. It was a much-needed confidence boost in an era largely defined by governance controversy off the field and spiralling performances off...

  
• 03.18.2024

  Ireland win the Six Nations - Gordon D’Arcy and Gerry Thornley assess the campaign

  Gordon D’Arcy and Gerry Thornley join host Nathan Johns to pick through the final round of the Six Nations championship.   Ireland weren’t perfect, but had enough to get over the line against Scotland to earn back-to-back titles for...

  
• 03.14.2024

  Ireland vs Scotland - Grudge match or rivalry?

  Scotland and Ireland have seen plenty of animosity in their contests in recent years. Yet the Scots have not won since 2017, while they haven't been victorious in Dublin since 2010. Can such a one-sided fixture truly be a rivalry,...

  
• 03.11.2024

  Ireland's Grand Slam dream dies at Twickenham

  England’s best performance in recent memory sent Ireland to a narrow defeat in London. Hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams are gone, offering a timely reminder of just how difficult it is to win it all. Gordon D’Arcy and Gerry Thornley...

  
• 03.07.2024

  Ireland's Twickenham Test

  Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to preview Ireland's upcoming clash with England. Where are England in this transition period? Will their blitz defence cause problems? Have we learned anything new from the Ireland team selection? All...

  
• 03.04.2024

  The Lawrence Dallaglio interview

  In this extended chat with England’s World Cup-winning number eight, Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy preview this week’s Six Nations clash at Twickenham. We also discuss how Dallaglio could have declared for Ireland, his memories of touring for the Lions...

  
• 02.29.2024

  The history of Ireland U20s

  With Ireland’s current crop of U20s training against the senior side today at the Aviva Stadium, we took a deep dive into the underage structures in Irish rugby. John O’Sullivan has covered age grade international sides for a number of...

  
• 02.26.2024

  Wales walloping leaves Ireland one win away from the Six Nations title

  Ireland were not at their fluid best on Saturday but they did not have to be, beating Wales 31-7 at the Aviva Stadium.   How did Wales stilt the Irish attack somewhat? Just how good is Ireland’s defence? Does Andy Farrell have...

  
• 02.22.2024

  Ireland vs Wales preview

  Is fullback Ciarán Frawley’s best position? How much of a loss will Hugo Keenan be? What to expect from debutant Oli Jager?    Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to react to Andy Farrell’s team announcement. The...

  
• 02.19.2024

  Youthful Wales show signs of life ahead of Ireland game

  Despite being tipped by some as wooden spoon contenders for this year’s Six Nations, Wales have lost their opening two matches by a combined margin of just three points.  A second half comeback against Scotland and a strong opening 40 minutes...

  
• 02.15.2024

  Rugby's culture war - Mike Ross on the state of Ireland's scrum

  For all the positivity surrounding Ireland’s two wins to open up this year’s Six Nations, a concern for the concession of scrum penalties remains simmering in the background. Against France, Andrew Porter was penalised twice in quick succession in the first...

  
• 02.12.2024

  Italian demolition job with Gerry Thornley and John O'Sullivan

  After Ireland put Italy to the sword in the Aviva Stadium, the panel discusses standout performances form Jack Crowley and James Lowe, Ireland's impressive defensive record and the latest disappointing Italian performance. We also talk through Wales being more competitive than...

  
• 02.08.2024

  The Italian Job with Felipe Contepomi and Gordon D'Arcy

  Former Leinster out-half and current Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi joins his old teammate Gordon D'Arcy on today’s podcast. Italy's new head coach, Gonzalo Quesada, is a former teammate of Contempomi. The former Leinsterman tells us what to expect from...

  
• 02.05.2024

  Ireland's magic night in Marseille

  Fresh off covering Ireland's win over France, Gerry Thornley joins host Nathan Johns and John O'Sullivan to review the victory that sets up Andy Farrell’s team as favourites for the Six Nations. We discuss the French media's strong reaction, how...

  
• 02.01.2024

  Gerry Thornley in Marseille ahead of France vs Ireland

  Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley previews Friday night’s clash from the Stade Velodrome in Marseille. With both teams exiting last year’s World Cup at the quarter-final stage, a opening round win will go some way to deciding the winner of...

  
• 01.29.2024

  France vs Ireland preview with Gordon D'Arcy and Noel McNamara

  Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to preview the Six Nations ahead of Ireland's opening game away to France on Friday night. The panel discusses selection, captaincy and Ireland's poor record following World Cup campaigns. We also hear from...

  
• 01.25.2024

  The Counter Ruck, a new rugby podcast from The Irish Times, coming on January 29th

  The Counter Ruck is a new rugby podcast from The Irish Times. Launching on Monday, January 29th - just in time for the Six Nations. Produced in association with Nifti Business. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

  
• 03.09.2020

  #119 Six Nations: surreal times as coronavirus puts rugby on hold

  With the coronavirus throwing everything into flux, this morning we’re in the surreal situation of having a perfectly-poised Six Nations table that looks likely to be a good seven months away from any conclusion. Gerry Thornley and Gavin Cummiskey are...

  
• 03.02.2020

  #118 GAA: The New Backpass Rule; Soccer: Surveying The Irish Football Fan

  Rules come and rules go but Congress is always with us. Fresh from an invigorating weekend at Croke Park, Sean Moran joins us in studio for a look at how the new backpass rule came to be and brings the...

  
• 02.24.2020

  #117 Six Nations: A Familiar Story at Twickenham; GAA: Charging Galwegians, A Blight on Hurling

  Stop all the clocks. Turn off the Tweet machine. Rugby is goosed, ruined and everything in between. England have beaten us to a bloody pulp and nothing remains but entrails and outrage. Gerry Thornley and Gavin Cummiskey are in studio...

  
• 02.17.2020

  #116 ENGvIRE Preview, "Schools Rugby Turns Toxic", Six Nations Refereeing

  Twickenham week in the Six nations and all of a sudden, a Triple Crown is at stake. Who are England now, exactly? Are they the team that beat New Zealand in the World Cup semi-final or are they about to...

  
• 02.10.2020

  #115 Six Nations: Big Win Over Wales, Tyrone v Kerry

  With two wins from two gathered into the hold, the Andy Farrell train is rolling merrily along. Gavin Cummiskey and Gerry Thornley are in studio to break down Saturday's win over Wales and we hail Captain Johnny Sexton, for that...

  
• 02.03.2020

  #114 Six Nations, Super Bowl, FAI Bail Out

  The Six Nations is here and it is well in itself, French kissed to life on Sunday in Paris with the home side's win over England. Ireland's campaign got off to a steady start on Saturday, eventually overcoming a physical...

  
• 01.27.2020

  #113 Kobe Bryant, Six Nations Preview, The Farrell Era, GAA Leagues

  The Ireland squad are in Portugal so it must be (checks notes)... the start of the Six Nations? Okay. Andy Farrell's new broom has swept the team announcement - not to mention the Irish press pack - to foreign climes...

  
• 01.20.2020

  #112 The Saracens Soap Opera, Liverpool v United, Club Finals

  The most compelling soap opera in rugby goes on and on. Fresh from the announcement that they are to be relegated to the English Championship, Saracens have drawn Leinster in the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup in April. Gavin Cummiskey...

  
• 01.13.2020

  #111 Champions Cup, Andy Farrell's Options, These Shoes Are Made For Winning, Mighty Magheracloone

  And we're back! The first Added Time podcast of 2020 is here and it's in your face. Or your ears, at least.Gavin Cummiskey is in studio to pick the bones out of the Champions Cup weekend. Leinster are sailing, Munster...

  
• 12.16.2019

  #110 The Year in Women's Sport - with Mary Hannigan and Emma Duffy

  For the final Added Time podcast of 2019, Mary Hannigan and Emma Duffy of The42 join us in studio to review the year in women's sport. With The Irish Times Sportswoman of the Year awards coming up this Friday, we...

  
• 12.09.2019

  #109 FAI in Crisis, Champion's Cup Review, 'In League with Gaddafi'

  The grim reality of the FAI's catastrophic accounts was revealed last week to be even worse than everyone imagined. What sort of future can it have now? How will it get out from under its debt to become a going...

  
• 12.02.2019

  #108 The Best Sports Books of 2019 - with Kieran Shannon

  Was 2019 a vintage year for sports books? Mal and Pat are joined by old friend and Irish Examiner sports columnist Kieran Shannon to pick their favourite titles of the past 12 months. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more...

  
• 11.25.2019

  #107 Champions Cup Nail-Biters, Larkham's Impact, The Lost Cavan Footballer

  Rugby with Garry Thornley and Gavin Cummiskey at 7.15Paul Fitzpatrick on Cavan footballer Charlie Gallagher at 31.30Munster gonna Munster. The ghosts of winter Saturday Nights Past came calling as Thomond Park rocked to another nail-biting Champions Cup encounter, this time...

  
• 11.18.2019

  #106 Ireland v Denmark VI, Clean Sweep at the Champions Cup

  Football with Emmet Malone 6.52Rugby with Gavin Cummiskey and Gerry Thornley 23.40Crunch time in Dublin 4. Ireland v Denmark VI - This Time It's... well, it's likely to be quite similar to the five that have gone before. Denmark won't...

  
• 11.11.2019

  #105 Champions Cup, Saracens Scandal, Soccer Qualifiers

  Rugby barely had time to catch 40 winks before the Champions Cup has come rapping on the door and rousting it for another season. With defending champions Saracens the talk of the towns and all four Irish provinces ready to...

  
• 11.04.2019

  #104 World Cup Wrap, Hockey Heroines

  Some weeks, the whole thing is like trying to fit a quart into a pint pot. The amount of sport that fizzed around the place over the weekend is almost too much - but we've done our best in your...

  
• 10.31.2019

  #103 England for The Win: RWC Final Preview with Gerry and Gavin

  It’s here, at last. The World Cup final is upon us as England take on South Africa in Yokohama. Gerry Thornley and Gavin Cummiskey have one more pod in them, breaking down the match-ups and the ready-ups. Also, in a...

  
• 10.29.2019

  #102 RWC: England Stun New Zealand, Trouble Brewing at Arsenal

  England saved the signature performance of the Eddie Jones era until it couldn't have mattered more. In stuffing New Zealand in Yokohama on Saturday, they sailed into the World Cup final in grand style. There they will meet South Africa,...

  
• 10.24.2019

  #101 Nacewa's Cutting Criticism, Semi-Final Preview

  The World Cup fall-out continues apace. After Isa Nacewa's cutting assessment of Joe Schmidt's final year, it feels like there is a lot of water to flow under the bridge before we can put the tin lid on Japan 2019....

  
• 10.21.2019

  #100 Celebrating Cork's 1990 Double, Lamenting Irish Rugby, Redundant Rules

  Let the autopsy begin. Ireland are out of the World Cup at the quarter-final stage - again. Ireland have been hammered when it matters most - again. Why does this keep happening? How could we have imagined anything else? Gerry...

  
• 10.17.2019

  #99 NZLvIRE: The Teams, The Tactics, The Refereeing

  Ireland will make history when they beat New Zealand in the Rugby World Cup quarter-final on Saturday. That’s the view from Tokyo as Gerry Thornley and Gavin Cummiskey are reasonably bullish that Joe Schmidt’s team can make the final four...

  
• 10.14.2019

  #98 RWC: Can We Beat The All Blacks? Football: Dross in Tblisi, Switzerland Preview

  It’s moving week for our rugby and soccer teams – by the end of it there’s a good chance we’ll have either have moved on or moved out. Gavin Cummiskey and Gerry Thornley check in from Japan, where the Rugby...

  
• 10.10.2019

  #97 Typhoon Hagibis Brings World Cup Chaos, Ireland Team News, Samoa Preview

  Find your hatches, batten them down. The Rugby World Cup is descending into farce and there doesn't seem to be a thing anyone can do about it. Typhoon gonna typhoon and the Scots and Italians gonna go home sore, it...

  
• 10.07.2019

  #96 Typhoon Watch, Superstar Aaron Connolly, Glorious Ciara Mageean

  Fake news is alive and well and it's taking over the Rugby World Cup. Despite reports that the sky is falling in over in Japan, Gavin Cummiskey is here to reassure one and all that Ireland are not going to...

  
• 10.04.2019

  #95 Ireland Deal With Russia, But Questions Remain

  The morning after the borefest before. Ireland have dealt with Russia like a library clerk enforcing a minor fine - nothing too brutal, just a quietly bloodless transaction. And through it all, we have no real idea of where Joe...

  
• 09.30.2019

  #94 Ireland Lose to Japan: What Went Wrong? Delaney Departs, Athletics in Doha

  A pall falls over a stilled nation, the last of the early autumn warmth gone from the air. Ireland have lost to Japan in the Rugby World Cup and all hope has gone. Let's get through this one as best...

  
• 09.26.2019

  #93 Jack Carty's Moment, Ireland v Japan Preview, Fiji's Woes

  Happy Jack Carty Day, everybody. The Connacht number 10, who was arguably Ireland's fifth-choice outhalf 18 months ago, will start against hosts Japan on Saturday morning. Now that's a meteroic rise.Gavin Cummiskey was at the team announcement this morning so...

  
• 09.23.2019

  #92 Rugby World Cup Review, Ireland's Perfect Start, Larmour Comes of Age, Eddie v Jamie

  Matchday One has come and gone and all is for the best in this best of all worlds. Ireland have tanked Scotland and the bandwagon is starting to pick up speed. Bring it on, we say.Gerry Thornley and Gavin Cummiskey...

  
• 09.19.2019

  #91 Rugby World Cup: "There’s never been an opening weekend like it"

  It's here! At last, it's here! If not the Rugby World Cup quite yet, at least your super special Added Time preview show. Our men in Yokohama are primed and ready and, unique among the travelling Irish press pack, they...