The Counter Ruck

No Irish senior rugby this weekend but Ireland U20s do get their World Cup campaign underway in Georgia on Saturday.

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through the players to keep an eye on and Ireland’s hopes while we also look back on the 10-year anniversary of the stellar Ireland group that both beat New Zealand and reached the U20s World Cup final.

Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Monday saw Leinster announce that Leo Cullen will leave the province once his contract expires at the end of next season.

Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through why he’s going and who could replace Cullen atop the Leinster tree.

Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Reaction: Leinster outclass the Bulls to win URC crown

Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns pick through Leinster’s URC final victory over the Bulls.

After Champions Cup disappointment in Bilbao, Leo Cullen’s side have ended the year with silverware after a comprehensive victory over the South African outfit.

Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Shorn of multiple players due to injury, Andy Farrell has named his group to tour Australia and New Zealand this summer.

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through who is in and who might consider themselves unlucky.

Plus, we build up to the URC final as Leinster and the Bulls name their teams for Friday night’s decider.

Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With confirmation arriving that James Lowe will leave Leinster, in theory ruling him out of Ireland’s World Cup bid next year, Irish Times rugby writer John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss how talks broke down.

Why is Leinster’s record try scorer leaving despite, by all accounts, wanting to stay?

Plus, we chat through Munster’s hire of Jared Payne instead of Roger Randle and the announcement of the Ireland U20s squad for their upcoming World Cup.

Produced by John Casey.
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.