Two years out from the World Cup, Ireland now know who they are playing after Wednesday’s draw.

The fixture dates come next February as World Rugby look for spikes of ‘hype’, a tactic which divides the opinion of our panel.

Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to look at Ireland’s draw and preview the upcoming European action.

Leinster may well have a chance to blood a few newer faces due to injury, while Munster face a fascinating trip to take on old friend Johann van Graan in Bath. In the Challenge Cup, Ulster and Connacht will look to continue their strong league form against Racing and Ospreys respectively.

We preview all the action as European matches return.

Produced by John Casey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the November window, the IRFU released their financial accounts for the previous year. Inevitably, they were asked about rising ticket prices for games at the Aviva Stadium.

Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley reported that the cost of a ticket has increased by 80 per cent in the past 12 years. Why does rugby charge more for the in-ground experience, compared to other sports?

There’s a lot in this: the financial health of the sport, ticket vs TV revenue, how tickets are sold through clubs, the corporate nature of the audience and a new Nations League competition which is supposed otherwise boost broadcast income. Gerry joins The Counter Ruck to discuss it all.

Produced by John Casey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There have been postmortems aplenty on the state of Irish rugby after the November window. But what of the international window as a whole. Officiating is arguably a hot a topic as it ever has been - and not in a good way.

Stylistically, law tweaks have more and more teams striving for efficiency and playing in similar styles, ones which are not always popular among the crowds.

Whatever about results and Irish fortunes, as a spectacle, is international rugby still a good watch?

Host Nathan Johns is joined by Irish Times ruby writer John O’Sullivan.

Produced by John Casey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saturday was shambolic. Chaotic. Insert your choice of adjective here. A rugby match took over 130 minutes to complete. Seven cards were handed out - one rescinded.

Somewhere in between, South Africa bullied Ireland, Andy Farrell’s side ultimately doing well not to lose by a heavier margin.

What to make of all the chaos, and of Ireland’s November window as a whole?

John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy join Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa come to town this weekend with two World Cup winners’ medals in the back pocket of plenty of squad members. Yet one of the few frontiers this side under Rassie Erasmus has yet to cross is winning in Dublin.

Daniel Gallan is a South African journalist for Rugbypass and the Guardian. He joins Nathan Johns to explain just how Rassie has done it for so long.

How does he keep his players motivated? How does socio-economic and cultural realities back home play into the rugby psyche? Is to be a Springbok akin to following a cult?

Produced by John Casey.

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Ireland secured a record victory over Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies on a wet Saturday night at the Aviva Stadium. It was comfortably the best display of this November window from Andy Farrell’s side, but where does it leave them ahead of next week’s Springbok challenge?

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan once again join Nathan Johns to discuss, amongst other things: Sam Prendergast’s impressive starting display; Ireland’s kicking supremacy; return of the Mack; Gibson-Park’s continuing excellence and Australia’s fall from grace.

Produced by John Casey.

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After beating the Lions in the last Test and running them close in the series as a whole, Australia have gone downhill. They started this November window with a scare against Japan while last weekend saw a damaging defeat to Italy.

Where did it all go wrong? Joe Schmidt is in the twilight of his tenure in charge, finishing up next July. After the Lions recovery but subsequent demise, how will his time with the Wallabies be remembered?

Jonathan Drennan of the Sydney Morning Herald joins Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

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Ireland 41 Japan 10: back on track after the Chicago disappointment or a worrying, laboured victory?

Did Ireland get what they needed from returning players? Did newer faces step up?

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to give their thoughts.

Meanwhile over in Spain, Ireland’s second string impressed against the tier two nation. Can anyone from that group force their way into senior Irish reckoning any time soon?

Produced by John Casey and JJ Vernon.

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Two Irish sides take to the pitch on Saturday; Andy Farrell’s senior outfit takes on Japan before a second-string side play Spain.

Plenty of interesting selection calls have been made, while a number of high-profile players - Caelan Doris included - return to starting roles.

What are the storylines and performances to watch? Who needs a big display to keep their spot, and who might force their way into first choice reckoning?

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where does Ireland’s defeat to the All Blacks leave them in world rugby’s hierarchy?

After a solid if unspectacular opening hour, Ireland collapsed to a two-score defeat in the final quarter. The Irish kicking game brought plenty of joy, but New Zealand’s bench ultimately turned the contest.

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the action from Ireland’s Chicago trip.

Produced by John Casey.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.