The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast

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

What to make of Ireland's rotation for Japan?

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

Where do Ireland now stand in the Nations Championship?

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

Reaction: Ireland squeeze home against Australia

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

Can Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies upset Ireland?

Andy Farrell and Ireland begin their latest bloc of fixtures with a clash against Australia in Sydney. Jonathan Drennan of the Sydney Morning Herald joins Nathan Johns

Ireland come up short against England in Under-20s World Championship

Ireland U20s began their Under-20s World Championship campaign with defeat in Tbilisi, and it was déjà vu as Toulouse secured another Top14 title.  It’s also the start o

Who to look out for in Ireland U20s at the World Cup

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

Why is Leo Cullen leaving Leinster?

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 thro

Leinster win back-to-back URC titles

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 d

What to make of Andy Farrell's Ireland squad to tour Australia and New Zealand

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 J

Why is James Lowe leaving Leinster?

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 jo

Leinster into another final, but are their fans buying into their URC run?

Leinster beat the Stormers on Saturday to secure another URC final appearance as they once again meet the Bulls in the final.  Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick t