The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Technical and general information from the podcast's RSS feed.

The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast

The Irish Times

Sports

Frequency: 1 episode/4d. Total Eps: 230

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.

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Site

RSS

Apple

Data updated on 26/09/2026

Recent rankings

Latest chart positions across Apple Podcasts and Spotify rankings.

Apple Podcasts

🇨🇦 Canada - Rugby
28/09/2026
#23
🇬🇧 Great Britain - Rugby
28/09/2026
#23
🇩🇪 Germany - Rugby
28/09/2026
#7
🇺🇸 USA - Rugby
28/09/2026
#8
🇫🇷 France - Rugby
28/09/2026
#34
🇨🇦 Canada - Rugby
27/09/2026
#13
🇬🇧 Great Britain - Rugby
27/09/2026
#14
🇩🇪 Germany - Rugby
27/09/2026
#5
🇺🇸 USA - Rugby
27/09/2026
#6
🇫🇷 France - Rugby
27/09/2026
#26

Spotify

No recent rankings available

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Links found in episode descriptions and other podcasts that share them.

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https://www.research.net/r/CounterRuckWebApp
26 shares
https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/
6 shares
http://irishtimes.com/events
4 shares

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LnCTqhVYbBs&amp
1 share
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gtiho6D9GWU&amp
1 share
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Rnsx0PkY5pU&amp
1 share

https://twitter.com/jimhamilton4/status/1776276230632787982?s=12
2 shares
https://twitter.com/i/status/1776965041125728521
1 share

RSS feed quality and score

Technical evaluation of the podcast's RSS feed quality and structure.

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RSS feed quality

To improve

Score global : 42%

Publication history

Monthly episode publishing history over the past years.

Year

Latest published episodes

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

Friday, September 25, 2026 • Duration 38:30

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.

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Leinster's RDS bump and Munster's outhalf crisis

Friday, September 18, 2026 • Duration 38:13

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.

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As Leo Cullen prepares for his final season in charge, why haven't Leinster strengthened?

Friday, September 11, 2026 • Duration 33:55

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.

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Why are New Zealand embarking on their own Lions tour?

Friday, August 7, 2026 • Duration 25:09

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.

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The AFL comes for Irish rugby

Friday, July 31, 2026 • Duration 15:37

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.

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Where do Ireland go from here?

Tuesday, July 21, 2026 • Duration 46:37

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.

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Reaction: New Zealand ease to victory over Ireland

Saturday, July 18, 2026 • Duration 18:42

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.

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Underdog Ireland gear up for All Blacks test

Friday, July 17, 2026 • Duration 23:52

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.

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Irish rugby's state of the union down under

Tuesday, July 14, 2026 • Duration 32:04

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.

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Reaction: Ireland run in five tries as they beat Japan

Saturday, July 11, 2026 • Duration 22:08

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.

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The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

The Counter Ruck: The Irish Times Rugby Podcast – Details, episodes & analysis

Podcast details

Recent rankings

Apple Podcasts

Spotify

Shared links between episodes and podcasts

Other4

YouTube9

X2

RSS feed quality and score

Publication history

Latest published episodes

Similar podcasts and content

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Related Shows Based on Content Similarities

Other4

YouTube9

X2

Apple Podcasts

Spotify