The Ruck

The Ruck

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  • Ranking

    10th

    on Rugby

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    309

    Followers

  • Typical duration

    36 min

    per episode

  • If it hooks

    70%

    finish an episode

Based on Podcast App listening data

The Ruck episodes

  • The Nations Championship explained, Pumas prowl & Scotland suffer

    Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Owen Slot and Will Kelleher look back on the latest action from the November internationals.


    They ask what was the most important result of the weekend? Wales finally winning at home or England beating the All Blacks? And, they react to Scotland losing to Argentina despite leading 21-0 and what that means for head coach Gregor Townsend.


    Plus, the Nations Championship, which starts in 2026, has finally released further details about the fixtures so the boys try to explain how the competition will work and the pros and cons.


    And, after beating the All Blacks on Saturday how do England kick on from that important result?

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

    55 min
  • A George Ford masterclass, as England ‘batter’ New Zealand

    England have beaten the All Blacks for the 9th time in their history! Steve Borthwick's side ran out comfortable winners for a statement victory.


    Alfie, Alex and Will react to the result and discuss what it now means for England moving forward. They pay tribute to George Ford who produced an outstanding performance to guide England to victory. And, they ask what does it tell us about this New Zealand team?

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

    33 min
  • Richie McCaw previews England vs New Zealand

    All Blacks legend and double world cup winning New Zealand captain Richie McCaw joins Alfie, Alex and Will to look ahead to the match against England this weekend.


    He explains why an All Blacks team should never be 'developing', what makes Ardie Savea such a great player and how he thinks the game will go at Twickenham. The boys also explain why it is such an important match for the Steve Borthwick England era and why his team selection shows what sort of match we could have in store.



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

    57 min
  • Scotland miss All Blacks history as England plan their own shot at glory

    Alfie Reynolds, Elgan Alderman and Stuart Barnes look back on the latest from the November internationals. They're joined by Mark Palmer to reflect on an agonising defeat for Scotland against New Zealand and ask will they ever beat the All Blacks? They also chat about South Africa's stunning performance away to France in Paris on Saturday night and Steve Tandy's Wales tenure starting with defeat to Argentina.


    Plus, they look ahead to the matches coming up this weekend, including England's game against New Zealand as Stuart explains why he thinks George Ford should start at fly-half and whether England should be the favorites to win the match.

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

    48 min
  • England beat Fiji (eventually). Now the All Blacks...

    Alfie Reynolds and Will Kelleher look back on England's victory over Fiji at Twickenham. For the second week in a row Steve Borthwick's side managed to win the match comfortably despite not being at their best. Plus, Fiji gave further evidence that they will continue to be a force to be reckoned with at international level.


    With New Zealand next up for England, they ask how well the first two weekends of November have prepared them to take on the All Blacks. And, question who should play at fly-half, George Ford or Fin Smith.

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

    33 min
  • Why is Maro Itoje on the bench?

    It's the second weekend of November internationals so Alfie, Alex and Elgan look ahead to the action.


    They are at the England training base so discuss another very interesting squad selection from Steve Borthwick. Including Chandler Cunningham-South getting the opportunity at number 8, Maro Itoje dropping to the bench and Marcus Smith being deployed at full-back.


    Plus, they look ahead to the other matches at the weekend, especially Wales v Argentina, France v South Africa and Scotland hosting New Zealand.

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

    33 min
  • Steven Kitshoff: Life threatening injury, France vs Springboks and bomb squad beer

    Alfie, Will and Owen Slot are back to review all the November internationals over the weekend and preview the upcoming round of fixtures.


    They are joined by double world champion Springbok, Steven Kitshoff, who looks back on that epic world cup quarter-final in 2023 between France and South Africa and looks ahead to the sides meeting again in Paris on Saturday. He also chats about his life threatening and career ending neck injury which forced him to retire earlier this year and his new business ventures which includes bomb squad beer, named after the famous Springbok replacements. He gives his view on England's own attempt at the bomb squad and the rise of Henry Pollock.


    Plus, will Scotland's autumn be defined by how they get on against New Zealand? Could we really see Ben Earl start at centre against Fiji? And will that clash in Paris determine who is the best side in the world?

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

    53 min
  • England's 'bomb squad' downs Wallabies

    Alfie, Alex and Will react to England's victory over Australia at Twickenham as Steve Borthwick's side started their November campaign with a 25-7 win.


    They chat about the impact of the England bench, Henry Pollock (of course!) and how they got over the line.


    Alfie makes the case for the match being an example of how England have progressed over the last 12 months but Alex & Will are more measured in their assessment of the result against an under-strength Wallabies side.

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

    28 min
  • England's 'New Phase' November; Wallabies Preview

    England begin their November internationals this weekend by welcoming Australia to Twickenham.


    Alfie and Alex are at the England training base to preview the match. They discuss Steve Borthwick's bold matchday squad and explain why the England head coach is under-appreciated for the brave selection decisions he makes. They chat about Tommy Freeman starting at outside centre, the back-row balance and what would constitute success for England this coming month.


    They also chat about the Wallabies who aren't at full strength, how they have developed since the British & Irish Lions tour and the battle at the set-piece.

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

    33 min
  • Warburton on Welsh rugby's future & Freeman the centre

    It's the start of the November internationals so Alfie and Will look ahead to the matches this weekend, including England's game against Australia. They discuss Steve Borthwick's bold selection of moving Tommy Freeman to outside centre, which means no Ollie Lawrence, as well as George Ford starting at fly-half.


    Sam Warburton chats to Will about the WRU's plans to cut the number of regional sides from four to three and he also explains why despite their current poor form Wales should be capable of having a competitive national side again.


    And, the boys round up the Prem rugby action by asking who has impressed them the most following the first block of fixtures? Plus, which countries will have a successful Autumn campaign and who will be left disappointed?

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

    58 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…

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