Ireland's path to World Cup redemption + European preview
Two years out from the World Cup, Ireland now know who they are playing after Wednesday’s draw. The fixture dates come next February as World Rugby look for spikes of ‘hype’, a tactic which divides the opinion of our panel. Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to look at Ireland’s draw and preview the upcoming European action. Leinster may well have a chance to blood a few newer faces due to injury, while Munster face a fascinating trip to take on old friend Johann van Graan in Bath. In the Challenge Cup, Ulster and Connacht will look to continue their strong league form against Racing and Ospreys respectively. We preview all the action as European matches return.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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33:15
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33:15
Why are Irish rugby tickets so expensive?
During the November window, the IRFU released their financial accounts for the previous year. Inevitably, they were asked about rising ticket prices for games at the Aviva Stadium. Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley reported that the cost of a ticket has increased by 80 per cent in the past 12 years. Why does rugby charge more for the in-ground experience, compared to other sports? There’s a lot in this: the financial health of the sport, ticket vs TV revenue, how tickets are sold through clubs, the corporate nature of the audience and a new Nations League competition which is supposed otherwise boost broadcast income. Gerry joins The Counter Ruck to discuss it all.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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37:20
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37:20
Is international rugby becoming unwatchable?
There have been postmortems aplenty on the state of Irish rugby after the November window. But what of the international window as a whole. Officiating is arguably a hot a topic as it ever has been - and not in a good way. Stylistically, law tweaks have more and more teams striving for efficiency and playing in similar styles, ones which are not always popular among the crowds. Whatever about results and Irish fortunes, as a spectacle, is international rugby still a good watch?Host Nathan Johns is joined by Irish Times ruby writer John O’Sullivan.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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41:44
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41:44
Saturday Shambles wraps up Ireland's November window
Saturday was shambolic. Chaotic. Insert your choice of adjective here. A rugby match took over 130 minutes to complete. Seven cards were handed out - one rescinded. Somewhere in between, South Africa bullied Ireland, Andy Farrell’s side ultimately doing well not to lose by a heavier margin. What to make of all the chaos, and of Ireland’s November window as a whole? 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.
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46:03
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46:03
Ireland vs South Africa: rugby’s biggest rivalry?
South Africa come to town this weekend with two World Cup winners’ medals in the back pocket of plenty of squad members. Yet one of the few frontiers this side under Rassie Erasmus has yet to cross is winning in Dublin. Daniel Gallan is a South African journalist for Rugbypass and the Guardian. He joins Nathan Johns to explain just how Rassie has done it for so long. How does he keep his players motivated? How does socio-economic and cultural realities back home play into the rugby psyche? Is to be a Springbok akin to following a cult?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Ireland