In the end, Leinster's fifth Heineken Champions Cup final finished in their first defeat, squeezed till their pips squeaked by a Saracens side that is clearly the best in Europe. Gavin Cummiskey is in studio to tell us where it all went wrong and to sing songs of praise to an unstoppable Billy Vunipola.The Munster Hurling Championship is up and running and already there have been more home defeats than in the whole of last year's competition. Sean Moran was in Páirc Uí Chaoimh to see Tipperary find their mojo again and he joins us on the line.Plus we have plenty of Waterford v Clare and we wail our lament for poor sacked Chris Hughton.All in your Monday Added time, with Malachy Clerkin and Pat Nugent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#72 Saracens Squeeze Leinster, Munster Hurling, Hughton Sacked

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

Sports

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.

How Leicester inspired Leinster's drive to the top

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 the Six Nations, we look at which fringe internationals, now playing before the return of European action, have the best chance of forcing their way into Andy Farrell’s reckoning ahead of the summer tour to South Africa.
Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland show green shoots in France defeat

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 it. 
John Cronin was director of rugby at Railway Union RFC, coaching a number of current and former Ireland internationals. He has been a prominent voice in the media and on social media advocating for change in the women's game. He joins John O'Sullivan and host Nathan Johns to preview the upcoming tournament, assess the balance between Ireland Sevens and 15s, debate the introduction and omission of certain key players and assess if Ireland can avoid once again finishing at the bottom of the table. 
Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

#72 Saracens Squeeze Leinster, Munster Hurling, Hughton Sacked

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