The Ruck

Stephen Jones, Owen Slot and Alex Lowe are joined by rugby royalty in the form of Rachael Burford. They talk about exporting rugby to the USA and developing grassroots players.Also we hear Rachael's perspective on the World Cup Final and she reveals who she believes to be the greatest player.

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Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot and Alex Lowe from The Times and deputy editor of Rugby World Magazine, Sarah Mockford.The panel discuss their highlights of the rugby weekend (02.00) what Semesa Rokoduguni needs to add to his game to contend for an England place (04.00) and suggestions Leicester are already in crisis are quickly swatted away (07.00). There's a review of all the other Premiership action (09.00) and the Pro 14's new teams sluggish start to life in the division (16:00).There's also an explainer and preview to the Women's Premier 15's season (19:00)Finally the panel reveal what they make of the match up in the USA (28:00) and Stephen doesn't really like Argentina's approach in the rugby championship. (30.00)

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The Ruck returns for a brand new season as Owen Slot welcomes Stephen Jones, from The Sunday Times, Alex Lowe from The Times and Adam Hathaway, "Rugby's premier greyhound owner".In this weeks show the panel discuss England's "ridiculous" tour to Argentina. (02:00) There are reflections on the opening weekend (8:00) including debate as to whether Leicester have redesigned the way they play (9:00) Stephen asks do the new rules send premiership rugby closer to super rugby? (10:00) Alex Lowe summarises the new rules (12:00) then basks in his recent cricket performance against the RFU (15.00)Then from (17:00) the whole season is mapped out and predicted with the panel debating what the final table will look like. The Ruck will return on Monday.

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Stephen Jones presents the season finale of The Ruck banishing all others to offer his final thoughts on an incredible series which he describes as "the biggest ever". In the shorter episode he pays tribute to Lions who "return in triumph" after their performances. He selects those who stood out, and praises the courage and confidence of the team unit as well as detailing the reasons they ultimately fell short.Finally Stephen reflects on making the podcast with a colourful cast of characters.

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Owen Slot welcomes Stephen Jones, Peter O’Reilly and Stuart Barnes to preview the deciding test.The panel bill the game as "one of the biggest games in the history of the sport" due to the initial tour negativity and speculation surrounding the Lions future, all twinned with New Zealand's status as world champions.Also debated in the podcast: Should Mako Vunipola have been dropped, what other changes would the panel make, what influence will the referee have on proceedings, where do the all backs weaknesses lie for the and what should the Lion's tactics be?To close Owen responds to his new nickname and everyone reveals their non-rugby moment of the tour.

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From Auckland, Stephen Jones, Peter O’Reilly and Nick Cain review a stunning second test. Later Owen Slot and Jonny Fordham report from Queenstown.Covered in the podcast: Memories of an incredible weekend, what changed for the Lions, does Warren Gatland need to make changes, plus how will Steve Hansen respond with selection?And do you agree with the kiwi description of Owen Slot? Finally theres a journey to the world famous Stephen Jones urinal.

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The panel are totally confused by Warren Gatland's second test team selection.Stephen Jones, Peter O’Reilly, Owen Slot and Alex Lowe attempt to make some sense of the XV with only Peter offering any positives for the Lions amongst their detailed analysis. There's also review of the recent draw, and a debate on the 'geography 6' debacle. Finally, Wellington is reviewed in the travel section which closes the pod.

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Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Peter O'Reilly and long time sports photographer David Rogers from Getty Images. David has been to nearly every Lions match since 1980 and he recalls the great matches, players and journalists he's seen down the years with a host of anecdotes. Later the panel give us reasons to believe the Lions can turn it around, also what changes Gatland will make? And how good are this New Zealand side compared to the greats? There are mouse-gate and shoe-gate updates as well as thrilling news of Owen's haircut.

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Ahead of the first test, Stephen Jones, Alex Lowe and Owen Slot analyse Gatland's thinking, decide who's unlucky, and debate whether the logic stacks up for the selection. They also cover: the Lions ambassadors, chaos in the gym, Alex Lowe's dreadful footwear.Stephen Jones then stars in shoe-gate as he attempts to be reunited with his size 15's also there's no glee at all from the panel at Telegraph writers encountering mice in their accommodation. The next episode airs Monday.

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Recorded From Hamilton, New ZealandStephen Jones is joined by Stuart Barnes, Owen Slot and Peter O'Reilly. Discussed by the panel: can Henshaw, Williams or Stander force their way into contention during the midweek game? Also who will captain in the first test and who makes everyones first test side? Finally, in the first ever Ruck Book Club you can hear the panels reading material on tour from the pretentious to the corporate.

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