Advertise on podcast: The Counter Ruck

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 many clubs are still struggling. Worcester, Irish themselves and Wasps have all had well-documented financial troubles, while clubs further afield in Argentina and Australia have also gone under. Is rugby doomed to only succeed at international level, or should the governance structure be changed, featuring more control of star players for clubs and better initiatives to get more people watching the club game? Speaking from their experience attempting to revive London Irish, Daniel and Andrew discuss their plans with Nathan Johns and John O’Sullivan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 John O’Sullivan reflect on the teams they selected as their ones to watch heading into the season. Is it time to row back on preseason positivity or will reinforcements of senior players in the weeks to come right the respective ships? On Saturday, Leinster lost away to the Lions despite promising performances from a number of young players. Gordon picks out who impressed him from a counter-attacking sense as we wait to see how Leinster will shift their style in a bid to be more competitive against the bigger European sides. We also discuss Munster’s loss at home to Glasgow despite the likes of Ben O’Donovan and Kieran Brookes putting in positive displays. The panel also pays tribute to Béibhinn Parsons after she became Ireland’s record try-scorer in Sunday’s win over Japan. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 clear after half-time, Ireland nevertheless succumbed to arguably the biggest upset defeat of the Scott Bemand era as a lower ranked American side mauled their way to a surprise victory. John O’Sullivan, covering the game for The Irish Times, joins Nathan Johns and former Leinster and Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy to pick through where it all went wrong. Meanwhile, the United Rugby Championship returns as the wait for domestic rugby action comes to an end. Teams have been named as Connacht take on the Stormers, Ulster host Edinburgh, Munster take on Glasgow while Leinster travel to Johannesburg to take on the Lions. Gordon, John and Nathan pick through all the talking points ahead of the new campaign. Why have Leinster picked a strong outfit for this South African tour, naming a number of internationals who normally get this fortnight in the calendar off? What to make of Munster’s outhalf availability crisis, and how might we expect them to play under a new attack coach? With Ulster and Connacht both enjoying largely successful campaigns last season as they went through some transition, can these two continue their positive trajectory under Richie Murphy and Stuart Lancaster respectively? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 ahead of the new campaign plus World Rugby’s continuing bid to crack the American market. Produced by John Casey and Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 have been discussed on this podcast and elsewhere, but is there one potential candidate that could provide the continuity Leinster will need? And why have the province brought in so few new faces while their rivals have added squad depth? Plus, as New Zealand and South Africa head into the fourth and final test of their much-hyped 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series, the panel mull over what they've learned a year out from the World Cup. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 hemisphere competitions, New Zealand are embarking on a lions style tour of South Africa.  Is this good for the game or a shameless cash grab, two bigger nations going out on their own?  South African journalist Daniel Gallan joins Nathan Johns to discuss. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 to become more prevalent in rugby, or are we dealing with a fascinating one off? Produced by Andrew McNair and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 top sides, where do Ireland go from here as they look to close the gap next season? How does the team balance its need to improve the attack with the personnel available? And what positions are looking stronger than others sixteen months out from the next World Cup? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 order? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to analyse the final Ireland game of the season. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 for another famous win on Kiwi soil? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 roundtable last week after the IRFU’s performance director discussed Munster’s Roger Randle U-turn, James Lowe’s departure and Leinster’s hunt for a new head coach. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 strong performances? Did established players take responsibility? And was there enough on show to generate optimism going into next week's clash with New Zealand? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 Ireland’s heavily rotated team selection for this weekend in a bid to assess what Andy Farrell is looking for against Eddie Jones’ side. Produced by John Casey and Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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 with host Nathan Johns. What did we learn from the narrow win over the Wallabies? Are we likely to see many Irish debuts handed out over the three tests? And could Japan prove to be a potential banana skin given their wining display against Italy in their Nations Championship opener? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland squeezed home against Australia after a Thomas Clarkson try and a missed kick from Ben Donaldson with the clock in the red. Was this a gutsy, narrow win on the road or a worryingly rusty start to their summer window? 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.