PodcastsSportsThe Counter Ruck

The Counter Ruck

The Irish Times
The Counter Ruck
Latest episode

185 episodes

  • The Counter Ruck

    Ireland denied the title by France's late act

    14/03/2026 | 10 mins.
    Heartbreak for Ireland as England’s late penalty concession and Thomas Ramos’ right boot cost Andy Farrell’s side a Six Nations title.

    Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns from the bowels of the Aviva Stadium to try and make sense of a Super Saturday which saw Ireland beat Scotland to the Triple Crown but just miss out on the overall crown.

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

    Do Scotland have a genuine chance at breaking their 11-match losing run to Ireland?

    13/03/2026 | 25 mins.
    Mark Palmer, Scottish rugby correspondent at The Times, joins Nathan Johns to preview Ireland’s clash with Scotland.

    The winner takes home the Triple Crown and has a shot at the outright Six Nations title, pending the result between England and France later on Saturday evening. Mark tries to figure out if Scotland have a genuine chance at breaking an 11-match losing run to Ireland or if this is the latest example of Scottish hubris.

    How has Gregor Townsend turned around this campaign after an opening defeat in Rome was followed up by sensational wins over England and France? Are Ireland really there for the taking?

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

    Are Scotland primed to finally beat Ireland?

    10/03/2026 | 44 mins.
    A sensational weekend of Six Nations action leaves us anticipating a bumper Super Saturday to decide the title.

    Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through Ireland’s win over Wales, Scotland’s thumping of France and Italy’s historic victory over England. Scotland, France and Ireland are all mathematically in the hunt for the title, while the winner of Ireland vs Scotland will take home the Triple Crown.

    Might this finally be the weekend where Scotland, fresh off their stunning win over France, get over their Ireland hoodoo?

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

    Ireland beat a dogged Wales side under the lights at the Aviva

    07/03/2026 | 23 mins.
    This was a much-changed Ireland side from the one who performed heroics at Twickenham against England two weeks ago. And there was much to admire given their blistering start, but question marks too.

    And have Wales finally turned a corner after so long in the doldrums? They played like a rejuvenated team, organised and tenacious, and offering a real threat going forward at times.

    Ireland could only breathe easy with 77 minutes on the clock when Jack Crowley made it a ten-point game.

    Host Nathan Johns is joined by Irish Times Rugby Correspondent Gerry Thornley.

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

    Have Ireland changed their selection policy ahead of the clash with Wales?

    05/03/2026 | 35 mins.
    Andy Farrell has made five changes to the starting XV ahead of Friday’s clash with Wales.

    Unusual, perhaps, to mix up a winning formula after a stunning day out at Twickenham.

    John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy join Nathan Johns to pick through what it all means.

    Have Ireland embraced more rotation in a slightly tweaked selection policy? What to expect of Wales, a banana skin or as downtrodden as ever?

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

More Sports podcasts

About The Counter Ruck

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.
Podcast website

Listen to The Counter Ruck, The Second Captains Podcast and many other podcasts from around the world with the radio.net app

Get the free radio.net app

  • Stations and podcasts to bookmark
  • Stream via Wi-Fi or Bluetooth
  • Supports Carplay & Android Auto
  • Many other app features

The Counter Ruck: Podcasts in Family