The Ruck

Owen Slot welcomes Michael Lynagh, Adam Hathaway and Stephen Jones to discuss another thrilling weekend of internationals.  

The panel exalt Ireland's superb performance and unpack where the All Blacks go from here with Adam contrasting certainty with the Irish starting line up against the question marks against almost every English position. 

Owen and Stephen disagree whether England have made any progress since they "fell off a cliff" earlier in the year.

Also Michael assesses Australia's horror season and why a good performance against England is key before the panel pick their 'God of the week'. 

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Was it a try or not, why didn't England take the points in the second half, what does a win over Australia win mean for Wales, and can Ireland beat the All Blacks?

Alex Lowe welcomes Stuart Barnes, Paul Grayson and Dan Lyle to discuss all this and catch up with England Women's captain Sarah Hunter. 

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Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Stuart Barnes and Sarah Mockford to pour over the weekends Autumn Internationals.

Including full analysis of South Africa's dreadful decision making, England's hopeless first half, and which side our panel would rather take to the World Cup.

The other internationals are scrutinised before there are suggestions for changes against New Zealand. 

Finally England women's captain Sarah Hunter joins the studio to assess the forthcoming tests which are being hosted around the country. 

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Stephen Jones continues his conversation with former Wales captain and new Times columnist Sam Warburton in part two of this special episode.

Sam candidly reveals his thoughts on the game including, why rugby will never be fully safe, why players should be limited to 25 starts a season and why mentally it's so tough to play all the way into July.  

He also reveals how a Man Utd game helped him deal with social media pressure and why he's now relishing his role as pundit.  

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Stephen Jones sits down with former Wales captain Sam Warburton to discuss his life in rugby and how he’s coping without the routine and structure of the game.

They also cover why England shouldn't panic, the guilt he felt whilst playing and how he rates the major nations ahead of the Autumn Internationals.

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PLUS plaudits for Newcastle and why the All Blacks are "sandbagging".

Owen Slot welcomes Adam Hathaway, Al Dymock of Rugby World and Liam Napier from the New Zealand Herald.

There's a review of the weekends European action, a full analysis of New Zealand from Liam, including the suggestion the All Blacks, are not implementing their full game plan for fear of showing their hand early. 

They also discuss Christian Wade's long odds of learning the "playbook mentality" as he departs for the NFL and there are predictions for England's back row for the internationals ahead.

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Stephen Jones welcomes Mark Evans, Sam Peters, Alex Lowe to discuss Freddie Burns' shocking error, the tackling laws of the game and to review the Heineken Champions Cup first round.

Then a look at the proposals for Rugby's League of Nations before debate around Eddie Jones' latest England squad and another selection of The Ruck's "God of the week".

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Owen Slot welcomes Stuart Barnes, Chris Jones and Al Dymock. 

The panel look at the battle at the bottom of the Premiership with the top two seemingly in a class of their own. 

They also question the weaknesses with New Zealand after South Africa's performance and as the Heineken Champions Cup approaches, can anyone see beyond Leinster or Saracens?

Finally after Billy Vunipola's sportsmanship at the weekend who else in rugby would own up to the referee?

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This weekend Northampton face Leicester at Twickenham in aid of Rob Horne.

In this special episode, Owen Slot meets Rob to discuss his life changing injury. The former Australian international speaks about choosing to adopt a positive outlook after his paralysis, how it was helpful he was never given false hope and despite chronic pain, how he's grateful to rugby rather than resentful. 

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Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alex Lowe and former World Cup winning player, Danielle Waterman.

They cover the fallout from Bath resting players, whether defensive coaches need to do more to earn their money and is the Premiership too predictable at this stage of the season? 

There's a full review of the Premiership weekend before Dannielle expands on what professional contracts will mean for England's Women. 

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