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.

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

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.

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

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.

Is this the most undercooked an Irish side has been heading into an international window? Is Andy Farrell picking on form?

What to make of Jack Crowley at outhalf, Stuart McCloskey at centre and Caelan Doris on the bench?

Do Ireland stand any chance of upsetting a New Zealand side which has yet to convince under Scott ‘Razor’ Robertson?

Gerry Thornley is our man on the ground in Chicago. He joins Nathan Johns to build up to Ireland’s Chicago clash with the All Blacks.

Produced by John Casey.

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

In a slightly different episode, Gordon D’Arcy has gone digging around his attic for career memories. A teammate feedback sheet from his aged 21 season prompts today’s discussion.

In these anonymous submissions, D’Arcy was given both praise and constructive yet strong criticism about his early days with Leinster. In his own words, it was the sheet which “changed everything.”

What was said by his peers, how did it affect his behaviour and how did he go on to achieve what he did?

Plus, a review of the opening five rounds of the URC as attention turns to the international stage.

Produced by John Casey and JJ Vernon.

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

Brendan Fanning has just published a book on the modern history of Irish rugby. Looking at recent successes, he speaks to the heavy hitters involved to figure out if we are set-up to continue growing, stay still or go backwards.

Brendan joins The Counter Ruck to discuss his book, Touching Distance, to analyse the biggest issues that have affected the game since 2007.

What is Stuart Lancaster’s relationship with Andy Farrell like? What does David Nucifora think of Munster? Are the good times here to stay or already gone?

Produced by John Casey.

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

Munster battered their provincial rivals for the first time in a long time, potentially igniting this derby match for the future.

Were Leinster simply undercooked as they continued to bring back their Lions or has the tide turned on this previously one-sided grudge match?

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to recap the weekend’s action and look ahead to the ramifications of this game for Ireland’s November series.

Produced by John Casey.

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

Andy Farrell named a settled Ireland squad for the upcoming November internationals this week. With just one uncapped player - Leinster’s Paddy McCarthy - has he taken the opportunity to regenerate the side halfway through a World Cup cycle?

Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through the more interesting selections. Why has McCarthy risen so quickly up the depth chart? Can Tommy O’Brien force his way in? Why are there so many Leinster players? 

Produced by John Casey.

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

For the first time this season, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan are back together on The Counter Ruck to pick through the weekend’s rugby action.

Leinster returned to winning ways, Munster won an ill-disciplined affair against Edinburgh, Ulster picked up a statement win over the Bulls while Connacht fell away to Cardiff.

With Harry Byrne impressing for Leinster, will he be included in Wednesday’s Ireland squad announcement? Will he or Sam Prendergast start against Munster?

After Mike Haley picked up a head injury thanks to a high tackle, what, if anything, can rugby do to fix a discipline issue which won’t go away?

How are Leinster and Munster stacking up ahead of their first meeting of the season?

Produced by John Casey.

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