The Counter Ruck

4.1 (9)
RUGBY
UPDATED WEEKLY

A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley. Produced in association with Ohk Energy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

14H AGO

Did Ireland restore confidence ahead of Twickenham showdown?

Ireland responded to their disappointment in Paris with a win over Italy. Albeit an unconvincing one. Did new faces in Andy Farrell’s team do enough to change the status selection quo? Did Ireland’s attack start to look like its old self? Does Scotland’s win offer any hope heading to Twickenham? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

31 min
4D AGO

Do Ireland's rugby pathways need a serious overhaul?

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through some big selection decisions made by Andy Farrell ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy. Plus, John also takes his through his vision for how Ireland can bring more players through from U20 level to the senior side. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

28 min
FEB 10

Are wounded Ireland vulnerable to an Italian job?

Ireland suffer a heavy defeat to France while Italy are on a high following a win over Scotland. Does that make for a potential banana skin for Andy Farrel and Co this weekend? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss. Plus, we look at some of the wider tactical and skillset deficiencies plaguing Irish rugby. What can be done to stop the rot? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

23 min
FEB 6

How far behind the leading pack are Ireland after defeat against France?

A difficult night for Ireland saw them lose heavily to France in Paris. Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley were at the Stade de France to pick through where it all went wrong. Was Ireland’s game plan exposed? What to make of selection or the decision to continually kick away possession? What positives, if any, can be gleamed from a second half fightback? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

19 min
FEB 3

France vs Ireland - Six Nations preview

Ireland have named their team for Thursday’s Six Nations opener. There are surprises, namely Jacob Stockdale in for James Lowe and Cian Prendergast starting at 6. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the key match ups. How will Ireland tactically overcome France’s Parisian challenge? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

32 min
JAN 30

Can rugby take off in America?

The new head coach of the US team is an Irishman from Skerries. After winning a medal with the Canada Sevens team in Paris, Jack Hanratty has moved to America to coach Ilona Maher and Co. He joins host Nathan Johns to chart his journey from a Leinster development coach to boss of the US. Plus, with World cups heading stateside in 2031 and 2033, Jack gives his take on a question rugby has long sought to answer: can the sport make it in America? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 min
JAN 27

Should Irish players have been wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the Six Nations?

Ireland’s front-row injury crisis plummeted to a further low when Jack Boyle was carted off with an Achilles issue for Leinster against Connacht. Given the absentee list at loosehead, should he - alongside other Ireland Six Nations players - have been wrapped in cotton wool over the weekend? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss this along with Leinster’s victory over Connacht, Ulster’s defeat away to the Scarlets and Munster getting over the line vs the Dragons. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

29 min
JAN 22

Is Ireland's Six Nations squad 'safe'?

It’s squad week ahead of the upcoming Six Nations. Both the senior group, the squad selected in the second string and the U20s have all been revealed. Is Andy Farrell’s selection overly safe or a fair reflection of newer players pushing through? Who has been hard done by? Can anyone from the second string push their way into the upper ranks? And what of the U20s, who are looking to bounce back after a poor year? John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy join Nathan Johns to discuss. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

30 min

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Nathan Johns

Host

4.1

out of 5

9 Ratings

A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley. Produced in association with Ohk Energy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.