The Ruck

By The TimesSports News Sports News Rugby

Ranking
10th
on Rugby
Favorites
309
Followers
Typical duration
37 min
per episode
If it hooks
69%
finish an episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

The Ruck episodes

November 20, 2017 Great Scots, player dissent and the weekend reviewed
Stephen Jones is joined by The Times Owen Slot, Rugby World's Al Dymock, and the finest freelancer around, Adam Hathaway.

They review England's win over Australia, assess where Scotland missed out against the All Blacks, as well as recapping the other matches before previewing the next series of clashes at the weekend.

There's also a debate about the best Scot to ever play the game, the panels thoughts on Samoa and a consideration of player dissent rising in the game.
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37 min
November 13, 2017 Are England really "headache inducing"?
Stephen Jones is joined by Steve James and Stuart Barnes for a comprehensive round up of the autumn internationals.

The panel cover: the difficulty of making a dire game sound exciting as a commentator, whether there are too many test matches, and why do Wales keep coming up short against Australia?

England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are all thoroughly analysed before changes are suggested and predictions made.

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39 min
November 07, 2017 Have the autumn internationals lost their appeal?
Stephen Jones returns and welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times, Sarah Mockford from Rugby World, former World Cup winner and man who works upstairs now, Michael Lynagh.

In a bumper episode the panel consider: the future of the Barbarians and the best use of the brand? Whether it's a cause for concern most of the England team is still unknown, if this autumn is a great chance to build the second tier for Eddie Jones?
Should Wales expect to beat Australia or have the latter turned a corner after their recent victory against the All Blacks?

Also has the quality of the French domestic rugby killed their international side, are we on the cusp of another Scottish revival and what would happen to The Sunday Times if Stephen wasn't there?
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41 min
October 30, 2017 Three Men and a Baby
In a podcast first and almost certain last, Owen Slot welcomes, Ben Ryan, Fiji Seven's gold medal winning coach, Sam Peters from The Sunday Times, and his 6 month old daughter Ella. Ben reflects on winning Olympic gold and the players who progressed to have an impact in the main game. He also reveals how close the Pacific Islands came to having a Super Rugby franchise, a vital component, he believes in advancing Fijian rugby. The panel also consider rugby trailing in terms of sports science, whether a recall of Fiji's best would make them a world cup winning side, and why some players are making a loss playing for their country. There's debate on England ahead of the winter internationals.
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38 min
October 23, 2017 One of the great European weekends
Stephen Jones returns from holiday and welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times, Rugby's finest greyhound expert Adam Hathaway and Rugby World's Alan Dymock.The panel comprehensively review the weekend in addition to picking personal highlights including La Rochelle and Benetton. There's also debate about when to introduce young players and the two sided effect it can have. There's a word for Joy Neville who will run the line for three forthcoming internationals. Then our guests provide a full preview of the autumn internationals (20:34) with Eddie Jones changing his mind again, the "never ending" Scottish rebirth and a massive winter for Wales.There's also music recommendations, wedding planning and legoland.
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38 min
October 16, 2017 Saracens, Leone Nakarawa and no easy games in Krasny Yar
Stuart Barnes takes charge for the first time and welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times, resident greyhound expert Adam Hathaway and Rugby World's Sarah Mockford.The panel review the weekends European action, reflect on the amazing result from Russian side Krasny Yar, consider Stephen Jones' article on Rob Andrew, and recall their favourite games of the weekend. Hear why Leone Nakarawa is selected as the player of round one, and why no one would bet one against Saracens even at this early stage.
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39 min
October 09, 2017 The state of the nations...
Owen Slot welcomes Times writers Alex Lowe and John Westerby, and commentator Alastair Eykyn. The panel give their insights on the state of the world's international teams going forwards.At the end of the first six week's of the premiership, our guests tell us who's impressing and try to make some very early final four picks. The panel offer their choices for the Premiership 15 to date, some *almost* based on how freely a player will offer a lift to the airport. We hear their picks for potential European Cup Champions.
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42 min
October 02, 2017 Are new rules causing the mass injury pile up?
Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot from The Times, Tom Hamilton from ESPN and Alex Spink from The Mirror. The panel pick their highlights of the week, including world cup bids and American football at Wembley.In a lacklustre week of rugby the overall quality of the Premiership is debated, notably Wasps vs Bath and Leicester vs Exeter.There's praise for Northampton's new chief executive and George North in addition to Newcastle's academy fuelling their revival. Also under consideration whether the mass injuries of recent weeks have been caused by the law change and should the next English national coach be English is discussed as well.
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35 min
September 26, 2017 Special Part 2: Will Fraser reflects on life beyond the game
Owen Slot speaks to Will Fraser for the second part of this special.The former Saracens player recalls telling his team mates of his retirement before having to watch them train immediately afterwards.Will also speaks about his new job with the club and offers his opinion on the attritional aspect of the modern game, perhaps surprisingly arguing for the sport to remain as physical as possible and going as far to warn about over sanitising rugby.Finally he offers unique dressing room insight into Saracens success.
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23 min
September 25, 2017 Special: Will Fraser reflects on forced retirement
Owen Slot welcomes Will Fraser for the first part of this special episode.The former Saracens player reflects on having to retire due to serious injury, the nature of his new routine, including being unsure if he could enter his old dressing room at the weekend.He relives the frustration of injuries and how he coped with the disappointment of missing two summer tours for England. Will also speaks of the inspiration he drew from his brother and offers a rare insight into dealing with a career cut short.Part two is available tomorrow.
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24 min

About The Ruck

From the publisher's feed

The podcast they play in heaven.

Join Alfie, Alex, Will and Charlie along with the best of The Times and The Sunday Times rugby writers as they ruck over the best games and biggest names…