The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast

Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to break down Leinster’s third consecutive Champions Cup final defeat. We analyse Leinster’s midfield attack, their decision making around penalties, what could have been done at the breakdown and assess where Leinster go from here domestically and in Europe.

Produced by John Casey.

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For the week of an Irish province playing in a European final, there has been plenty of news stories away from Leinster's clash with Toulouse. Simon Zebo announced his retirement, the IRFU revealed that it will tweak its controversial central contracts system while it even emerged that Hugo Keenan will return to Sevens in a bid to make Ireland's Olympics squad.

Joining host Nathan Johns to pick through the news as well as the actual rugby taking place on Saturday is former Ireland international Gordon D'Arcy.

Produced by John Casey.

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

Come July 1st, a number of changes to rugby's laws come into effect. A number of trials will also be seen over the summer as World Rugby continues to grapple with the balance of preserving the sport's values and attracting new audiences.

Have they got that balance right? Are they alienating traditional fans? Is there an irreconcilable difference between attitudes towards the game in the northern and southern hemispheres?

Former referee Owen Doyle joins host Nathan Johns to talk through the changes. 

Produced by John Casey.

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

This week's podcast is a detailed preview of Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final between Leinster and Northampton Saints at Croke Park.

Nathan Johns, Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan look back at the last time Leinster played in Croke Park, when one member of the panel scored a memorable try. They also discuss whether the venue has a bearing on the game and what sort of game we can expect on Saturday

Part two is an interview with Northampton's head coach Sam Vesty, focusing on the Saints' defensive improvements, recruitment strategy, attacking philosophies, and the key role of players like Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell in their game plan.

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In the coming weeks, World Rugby will decide on a proposal to implement a new 20-minute red card. Already seen in the southern hemisphere and Super Rugby, the proposal allows sides to replace a red carded player after 20 minutes in order to preserve the spectacle of a contest, to not kill off games when teams are reduced to 14 players.

Critics of the move say that the measure risks admitting defeat in the battle to change player behaviour and eradicate high tackles as a result of poor technique. The impending decision has been pitted as a battle of philosophies, of attitudes of leniency towards high shots both sides of the equator.

Owen Doyle, a former international referee and an Irish Times columnist, joins Gordon D'Arcy and Nathan Johns to discuss the potential new law and what impact it could have.

Produced by John Casey.

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

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.

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.

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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.

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 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.