The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast

Exclusive look inside O'Gara's La Rochelle

Its not often journalists get an access all areas pass inside a top flight rugby club. On today’s Counter Ruck rugby podcast, Irish Times rugby writer John O’Sullivan re

Could Tadhg Furlong miss the Nations Championship over alleged genital grab?

Following Tadhg Furlong’s citing for an alleged groin grab on Gavin Coombes during Saturday’s clash between Leinster and Munster, the question looms about whether a ban,

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 Co

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 opposi

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 exten

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 a

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 podcas

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 dis

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 kno

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

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

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 U

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 su

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 s

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 cir

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 th

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 glob

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 w

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’ m

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 debutan