A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
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32 min
Can this Ireland squad make an impact on the Nations Champsionship?
Andy Farrell announced a very familiar looking extended squad for Ireland’s Nations Championship campaign, save for the inclusion of Ulster’s Jamie Benson.On today’s Counter Ruch r…
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49 min
Are the provinces fortunes turning after a clean sweep in Europe?
It’s not long since we were talking about a weekend of four defeats for all four provinces.The weekend’s action in round one of the European competitions was the opposite with four…
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42 min
Steven Kitshoff: World Cup glory, the Rassie factor, and his time at Ulster
Steven Kitshoff, the former South Africa and Ulster prop, joins Nathan Johns on The Counter Ruck. Kitshoff has won two World Cups with South Africa and has worked extensively with…
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45 min
First interpro excites while Leinster return to winning ways at the RDS
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the weekend’s interpro action. Friday night saw Connacht struggle away in Glasgow with the set-piece and maul pr…
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28 min
A new era for Munster?
Following Munster’s appointment of former Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee as CEO, can the province build towards former glories?In today’s Counter Ruck rugby podcast Nathan Joh…
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38 min
Irish 10s steal the limelight on an encouraging URC weekend
After round one saw all four Irish provinces lose to kick off the URC season, this weekend brought a more encouraging set of results spearheaded by impressive outhalf displays. Gor…
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1 h 03
Is Irish and British domestic rugby broken?
Andrew Trimble and London Irish chairman Daniel McKeown want to examine rugby’s governance. Looking at the money flowing in at a the international level, they want to know why so m…
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42 min
Historic opening weekend ends in defeat for all Irish provinces
For the first time since 2009, all four Irish provinces started their domestic campaign with defeat. With Connacht and Ulster both losing at home on Friday night, Gordon D’Arcy and…
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39 min
Big URC preview and how did Ireland throw away victory vs the USA?
On Sunday, international rugby returned to these shores as Ireland women took on the USA in Tallaght. Despite an impressive first half showing, not to mention pulling 19 points cle…
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38 min
Leinster's RDS bump and Munster's outhalf crisis
As the rugby season continues to draw closer, Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to talk Leinster’s return to the RDS, Munster’s outhalf crisis, optimism for Connaht and Ulster ahea…
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34 min
As Leo Cullen prepares for his final season in charge, why haven't Leinster strengthened?
John O'Sullivan joins Gordon D'Arcy and host Nathan Johns to discuss his recent chat with Leo Cullen as he heads into his final season as Leinster head coach.Several successors hav…
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25 min
Why are New Zealand embarking on their own Lions tour?
As world rugby moves away from multi match tours, instead preferring the nations championship, two of its biggest brands are going the other way. Ditching traditional southern hemi…
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16 min
The AFL comes for Irish rugby
Noah Byrne, a member of the Irish U20s, recently opted to move to Aussie rules instead of taking a Leinster academy contract. Is a move like this, often seen in GAA circles, going…
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47 min
Where do Ireland go from here?
After defeat to the All Blacks wrapped up Ireland’s season, Nathan Johns, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan talk through Ireland’s ups and downs. Firmly ranked below the world’s to…
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19 min
Reaction: New Zealand ease to victory over Ireland
What to make of Ireland’s 40-21 defeat to New Zealand on Saturday? A chastening, worrying performance or simply a fair reflection of Ireland’s place in the current global pecking o…
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24 min
Underdog Ireland gear up for All Blacks test
Nathan Johns and John O’Sullivan pick through Andy Farrell’s team selection ahead of this weekend’s clash with the All Blacks. Are Ireland deservedly underdogs or are we gearing up…
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32 min
Irish rugby's state of the union down under
Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns on the line from Auckland to give his take on being at Ireland’s victory over Japan on Saturday. We also delve into David Humphreys’ media roundta…
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22 min
Reaction: Ireland run in five tries as they beat Japan
After a 36-20 victory over Japan, Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns analyse Ireland’s performance in their latest Nations Championship action.What debutants put in st…
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30 min
What to make of Ireland's rotation for Japan?
Former Leinster and Scotland analyst Brett Igoe joins Nathan Johns to pick through the facts, figures and trends of last weekend’s Nations Championship action. We also look at Irel…
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38 min
Where do Ireland now stand in the Nations Championship?
Fresh off Ireland’s victory over Australia in Sydney, Gerry Thornley dials in from Australia to discuss that win as well as the weekend of Nations Championship rugby as a whole wit…