The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast

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.

Another provincial preview but this one is a little different. After going through things at senior level, Nathan Johns is joined by John O’Sullivan to look at the new players entering the four provincial academies across Ireland.

Which players that impressed at U20 level have earned an opportunity? What names should we look out for? Is Ireland still strong at producing younger talent? A deep dive into the provincial academy structure.

Produced by John Casey.

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

The weekend’s provincial action took a hit as Connacht and Ulster both saw their games postponed courtesy of Storm Amy. Munster managed to get their game in as they saw off Cardiff while Leinster finished up their South African trip with another defeat. It’s the first time they’ve lost their first two fixtures of a campaign since 2003.

Is there genuine room for concern or is this just a continuation of their difficult relationship with South African trips?

Do Munster look a more cohesive unit as the Croke Park clash looms into view in two rounds’ time?

And what does all of this mean for Ireland selection in the coming weeks? Former Ireland international Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss. 

Produced by John Casey.

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

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

The opening weekend of the URC season has been and gone with three out of the four Irish provinces recording victories.

Stuart Lancaster and Clayton McMillan opened their accounts with victories for Connacht and Munster respectively, while Ulster saw off the Dragons with their attack impressing under the influence of Richie Murphy’s assistant Mark Sexton.

Leinster, though, turned in a horror display down in South Africa.

Could they be staring into a 10-point deficit to their rivals just two weeks into the season?

How did the other provinces impress after round one?

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss. 

Produced by John Casey.

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