The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast

Our province-by-province preview series concludes out West and in the capital. Connacht have a new coaching staff led by Stuart Lancaster while Leinster have extended their group spearheaded by Leo Cullen and Jacques Nienaber.

Can Connacht bring through their young players into Ireland contention? Will Leinster finally break their European curse?

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

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

The return of the URC is upon us as all four provinces gear up for the new campaign. New coaches, new players, teams looking to improve on a down season for Irish rugby as a whole domestically, there are plenty of storylines to keep an eye on.

Joining host Nathan Johns to pick through Munster and Ulster’s prospects is Irish Times rugby writer John O’Sullivan. 

Produced by John Casey.

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

Ireland came close to upsetting France in the World Cup quarter-final, only for an improved display to come up short.

How did they nearly pull off the unthinkable? What to make of the bite on Aoife Wafer and subsequent punishment? Where does this Irish team go from here?

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

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

Ireland’s green wave came crashing back down to earth after a 40-0 defeat to New Zealand in Brighton. The saving grace is that, after defeating Japan and Spain in their opening games, a quarter-final spot has still been secured. They play Six Nations foe France in Exeter next weekend.

After attending the match on Sunday, Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley pick through the talking points.

Where did it go wrong for Ireland? Did they play into New Zealand’s hands with their game plan? Will Aoife Wafer play any time at this tournament? What are their prospects for the French showdown?

Produced by John Casey.

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

Ireland have qualified for a Women’s World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2014 having beaten Spain. Whether they win the pool, and their knockout opponent, will be decided on Sunday when taking on the Black Ferns. Across their first two games, Ireland have scored 13 tries and 85 points.

All seems well, but were there cracks in the performance against two lower ranked teams? How do we balance critiquing displays while acknowledging the achievements of this side?

Irish Times contributor Louise Lawless joins Nathan Johns to discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

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

Ireland returned to the World Cup stage with a dominant win over Japan. Given the day that’s in it, a first World Cup match for all bar one of the squad, all at Franklin’s Gardens left in a positive mood. Even with a second half struggle which allowed Japan to get back into the game.

What made the day a successful one, who impressed and how could Ireland improve ahead of their next game with Spain?

Nathan Johns and Louise Lawless discuss after being in Northampton.

Produced by John Casey.

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

Ireland’s last Women’s World Cup appearance came in 2017. It was supposed to be a crowning moment, a global tournament hosted on Irish soil. Instead, results on the field precipitated a decline off it. Eight years later - with one failed qualification attempt in between - Ireland finally return to the world stage.

What has changed in the last eight years? Are there lessons to be learned from the 2017 disappointment? How important a moment is it that Ireland are now back competing at World Cups?

Former player Lindsay Peat, current assistant coach Larissa Muldoon and Ireland hooker Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald were all involved in 2017. They join host Nathan Johns to look back at the last eight years.

Produced by John Casey.

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

Ireland’s World Cup campaign is fast approaching. Yet perhaps due to Lions fatigue, the build-up has been somewhat muted. Maybe the bandwagon won’t get going until Ireland play New Zealand on September 7th, or is it a case of the women’s game being in a strange place?

Much of the chatter around this Ireland group has been positive in recent years, thanks to improving Six Nations results and a famous win over the Black Ferns. Yet with key players injured, last-minute call-ups from England and questions on the future of the domestic game, this World Cup build-up doesn’t scream a team about to take off.

Irish Times contributor Louise Lawless joins Nathan Johns to preview the campaign.

Produced by John Casey.

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

After missing out on the 2021 edition, Ireland are back in World Cup action as they prepare for the upcoming campaign in England. Matches against Japan, Spain and New Zealand - who they memorably beat last autumn - await in Northampton and Brighton respectively.

Ahead of the campaign, Nathan Johns is joined by players Aimee Leigh Costigan and Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald to get an insight into camp. We chat World Cup preparation and the future of the women’s domestic game in Ireland which is set for an overhaul in the coming years.

Produced by John Casey.

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

The Lions failed in their bid of a Test whitewash but still travel home from Australia as series winners. It seems that this series took a while to kick into gear but once it did, the final two Tests provided entertainment aplenty. Not least due to a dramatic lightning delay in Sydney on Saturday.

How did Australia come back to salvage some pride? Was it inevitable human nature that the Lions took their foot off the gas once the series was secure? Where does this Lions tour rank in the annals of tours to the southern hemisphere?

Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns all discuss.

Produced by John Casey.

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