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 previously thought, the low standard of play across the board so far in the tournament and the infamous TMO decision that left Scotland reeling. With the Six Nations taking a break this weekend, Gerry and John pick their player of the opening rounds of action. 
Produced by Declan Conlon and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italian demolition job with Gerry Thornley and John O'Sullivan

A rugby podcast from The Irish Times.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sports

This week's podcast is a detailed preview of Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final between Leinster and Northampton Saints at Croke Park. 
Nathan Johns, Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan look back at the last time Leinster played in Croke Park, when one member of the panel scored a memorable try. They also discuss whether the venue has a bearing on the game and what sort of game we can expect on Saturday
Part two is an interview with Northampton's head coach Sam Vesty, focusing on the Saints' defensive improvements, recruitment strategy, attacking philosophies, and the key role of players like Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell in their game plan.  
 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Northampton head coach Sam Vesty on meeting Leinster at Croke Park

In the coming weeks, World Rugby will decide on a proposal to implement a new 20-minute red card. Already seen in the southern hemisphere and Super Rugby, the proposal allows sides to replace a red carded player after 20 minutes in order to preserve the spectacle of a contest, to not kill off games when teams are reduced to 14 players. 
Critics of the move say that the measure risks admitting defeat in the battle to change player behaviour and eradicate high tackles as a result of poor technique. The impending decision has been pitted as a battle of philosophies, of attitudes of leniency towards high shots both sides of the equator. 
Owen Doyle, a former international referee and an Irish Times columnist, joins Gordon D'Arcy and Nathan Johns to discuss the potential new law and what impact it could have.
Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Does rugby need the 20-minute red card?

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 season, 10 Leinster players will have their salaries paid by the governing body via central contracts, the other provinces combined have three. Is this a cycle of dominance, or a worrying portend of Leinster pulling ahead and destroying competitive balance in the provinces?   Gordon D'Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss the issue, how we got here and what can be done about it. 
Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is Ireland's central contract system broken?

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 Italy last weekend, O'Brien joins The Counter Ruck to talk through her career to date, the first two rounds of this year's Six Nations and how Ireland are trying to progress from last year's wooden spoon. 
Gordon D'Arcy also joins host Nathan Johns to talk through the best of the weekend's rugby action including Leinster's win, sickly Munster's defeat and some eye-catching moments from the southern hemisphere.  Produced by John Casey.   https://twitter.com/jimhamilton4/status/1776276230632787982?s=12 https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5aRgq9y7J2/?igsh=MWNzdXRnajExeWpjbA%3D%3D https://twitter.com/i/status/1776965041125728521 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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

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 Cullen left the province for a two-year stint at the English club. When they returned, they played a significant role in a culture shift that saw the province transition from perennial underachievers to European champions. 
Also on this episode of The Counter Ruck, John O'Sullivan breaks down Ireland women's defeat to Italy in the Six Nations. 
Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Italian demolition job with Gerry Thornley and John O'Sullivan

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