The Ruck

Following a trio of showpiece matches at big stadiums in the Gallagher Prem Alfie, Will and Charlie are back in studio to review the action.

They discuss Geoff Parling's fiery altercation with broadcaster TNT before Gloucester vs Leicester and ask was the head coach right or wrong? And, does it summarise rugby's battle between traditionalists and those trying to modernise the game?

They also ask whether neutral semi-finals would be a good thing or damaging to the jeopardy in the season.

Castres tight-head prop, and Times columnist, Will Collier joins the boys to look ahead to the Champions Cup last-16. How important is an away win this weekend for the competition?

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Sir James Dyson has become a 50% shareholder at Bath, so what does that mean for the club and for English domestic rugby?

Will it cement the clubs place at the top of the PREM for years to come? And it will it encourage further investment into the league?

Alfie Reynolds is joined by Alex Lowe, Charlie Morgan and Will Kelleher to answer all those questions and chat about the return of the Prem. With Saracens' defeat is it now 5 teams vying for a spot in the top 4? Why are Harlequins lacking such an identity? And, was Chris Boyd at The Stoop having started in his new role with Gloucester? 'Detective Charlie' has the answer.

Plus, Will interviews Gloucester and England centre Seb Atkinson.

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The 2026 6 Nations is over!

One of the great championships went down to the final kick of the final match. Thomas Ramos knocked over a penalty to break English hearts and deny Ireland the title.

The morning after the events in Paris, Alex Lowe, Charlie Morgan and Will Kelleher join Alfie Reynolds to look back on an incredible finale and the tournament as a whole.

Where on earth has that England performance been? Does it soften the blow of England's worst ever 6 Nations campaign?

France are the champions but did they limp over the finish line? Did Scotland have a successful campaign or should they be disappointed by not winning four matches? And how significant a moment was Wales' win against Italy on the final weekend?

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Super Saturday is almost here as the 2026 6 Nations reaches its conclusion.

Who will win the title as France, Scotland and Ireland are all in the running?

In a championship that has had plenty of twists and turns, will there be another shock on the final weekend?

Alfie, Will and Alex are outside a Parisian cafe to look ahead to the weekend. They dive deep into England's struggles by tackling a mountain of listener questions and explaining what has gone wrong for Steve Borthwick's side. Will he remain as the head coach? Will they stick to the kick heavy gameplan? And, is Lee Blackett having any impact as attack coach?

Plus, who will win between Ireland and Scotland in Dublin? The winners will go to the top of the table ahead of France v England. And, can Wales win in the 6 Nations for the first time in three years or will Italy win to have their best ever championship?

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What a weekend of 6 Nations action!

Italy recorded their first-ever win against England, Scotland produced one of their best performances to put 50 points on France and Wales continued their revival in defeat to Ireland.

Alfie, Elgan and Charlie look back on all the action and ask where this weekend ranks all-time in 6 Nations history?

They also discuss what makes Scotland so impressive after their victory gives them a shot at the title on Super Saturday? How damaging was the defeat for France and what does it mean that they will miss out on a Grand Slam for the second year running? Plus, how will England regroup after their defeat in Rome?

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England have lost to Italy for the first time!

Following a historic day in Rome, Alfie Reynolds and Will Kelleher are in the Stadio Olympico to unpack an incredible occasion and hugely damaging England defeat.

What does the future hold for Steve Borthwick? Can he continue as England head coach? How can a team that won 12 matches in a row suddenly look so lost?

They also heap praise on Italy and discuss why this is a significant moment for Italian rugby and the 6 Nations as a whole.

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England make the trip to Rome in the 6 Nations following two defeats and two terrible performances against Scotland and Ireland. So how much pressure are they under ahead of facing Italy on Saturday?

Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are on the streets of the Eternal City to look ahead to the match. They chat about the raft of changes Steve Borthwick has made for the game and what that tells us about the position England find themselves in. Is it bold selection or panic?

They also speak with the Italy winger Louis Lynagh who reflects on his move from Harlequins to Benetton - where he now lives with his Italian grandad - and his time in the England setup under Eddie Jones.

Plus, the boys look ahead to Ireland v Wales and Scotland vs France this weekend.

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Last week the English league system saw its biggest shake-up since the dawn of professionalism: it was confirmed that from 2029/30 the PREM will change to a franchise system and there will be no promotion or relegation starting next season.

Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Stuart Barnes join Alfie Reynolds to chat about those developments. Is this an inevitable step to try and fix a system which doesn't work? Or is it betraying the very essence of sport?

They also look ahead to round 4 of the 6 Nations. How important is this week for England and Steve Borthwick? And, Scotland gear up for a crunch game against France!

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It's a fallow week in the 6 Nations so Alfie Reynolds, Elgan Alderman and Stuart Barnes discuss all of the action from round three.

They chat about Scotland's nervy performance in Cardiff as Gregor Townsend's side (just!) got the victory. Was this Scotland banishing demons from previous campaigns? Or have they once again failed to back up an impressive performance against England?

Barnsey gives his verdict on what on earth is going wrong for England following a terrible day at Twickenham in defeat to Ireland. And, Elgan was in Lille as France remained unbeaten by winning against Italy.

Could the Italians now be the favorites to beat England for the first time in their history? Are Ireland or Scotland best placed to challenge for the title alongside France? And, which nation benefits from the timing of the fallow week?

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The Ruck Live!

Before the final whistle is blown on the 2026 Guinness Men’s Six Nations, there’s the small matter of Super Saturday. This year the final round promises to be even more explosive, with rivals England and France going head-to-head in the very last match of the competition at the Stade de France.

Tough-tacklers Courtney Lawes and Serge Betsen will join Charlie Morgan, Senior Rugby Writer at The Times, and Alfie Reynolds — host of our podcast The Ruck — to compare notes on Le Crunch and the biggest moments of this year’s tournament.

Book tickets on thetimes.com/events

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England's hopes of a 6 Nations title went up in smoke as they lost to Ireland at Twickenham.

Following a loss to Scotland a week ago, Steve Borthwick's side produced another lacklustre and dreadful performance.

Alfie, Will and Charlie try to pick through the bones of a galling defeat which will ask major questions of this England team. Will it be a performance which ends England careers for some players? Is this 6 Nations campaign salvageable? And, why have the wheels come off so spectacularly?

Plus, they chat about Ireland's excellent display!

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