The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast by The Irish Times | Episodes & Chart Rankings

Chart positions today · United States

Not on the United States charts we track today.

If you like The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby…, try…

Early Edition

From The Irish Times

Better With Money

From The Irish Times

RTÉ Rugby Podcast

Ranking history · United States

No ranking history for this show in United States over the last 14 days.

Latest episodes

Exclusive look inside O'Gara's La Rochelle

October 30, 2026 · 28 min

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 recounts a weekend he spent inside Ronan O’Gara’s La Rochelle camp. Host…
Could Tadhg Furlong miss the Nations Championship over alleged genital grab?

October 27, 2026 · 48 min

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, should one be imposed, would mean for Ireland's November campaign. He…
Can this Ireland squad make an impact on the Nations Champsionship?

October 23, 2026 · 32 min

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 Counter Ruch rugby podcast, host Nathan Johns and Irish Times rugby…
Are the provinces fortunes turning after a clean sweep in Europe?

October 20, 2026 · 49 min

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 opposite with four wins. In today’s podcast Nathan speaks to Gordan D’Arcy…
Steven Kitshoff: World Cup glory, the Rassie factor, and his time at Ulster

October 16, 2026 · 42 min

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 extensively with both Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber. He was also…

Show 7 more episodesShow fewer episodes

First interpro excites while Leinster return to winning ways at the RDS

October 13, 2026 · 45 min

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 and maul proving an issue. The panel discusses how Connacht continue…
A new era for Munster?

October 9, 2026 · 28 min

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 podcast Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley look back at an era for the province…
Irish 10s steal the limelight on an encouraging URC weekend

October 6, 2026 · 38 min

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 displays. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review all the action as…
Is Irish and British domestic rugby broken?

October 2, 2026 · 1 hr 4 min

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…
Historic opening weekend ends in defeat for all Irish provinces

September 29, 2026 · 42 min

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…
Big URC preview and how did Ireland throw away victory vs the USA?

September 25, 2026 · 39 min

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…
Leinster's RDS bump and Munster's outhalf crisis

September 18, 2026 · 38 min

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…

Full episode archive on Apple Podcasts →

About the show

A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.