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The Counter Ruck

The Irish Times
Leinster
Rugby
Ireland
Six Nations
Munster
Irish Rugby
Champions Cup
Leinster Rugby
Ireland Rugby
Connacht
Munster Rugby
URC
New Zealand
Australia
Ulster
Lions Tour
Ireland National Rugby Team
Ulster Rugby
World Rugby
France

A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley.

Produced in association with Ohk Energy.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes226Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
SportsRugby

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Artwork for The Counter Ruck

Latest Episodes

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 fascinat... more

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... more

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 Irelan... more

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. Hoste... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
Contact Information
Podcast Host
Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Sam Larner
Analyst
Independent rugby analyst
Episode: Are Leinster being set up tactically for success?
Brett Igoe
Former Leinster and Scotland analyst, numbers-focused rugby analyst
The Currency (writer) and podcast contributor
Episode: How Bordeaux outfoxed Leinster and URC quarter-finals preview
Owen Doyle
Former referee who writes a column for The Irish Times
The Irish Times
Episode: Is rugby’s TMO process fair?
Mark Palmer
Scottish rugby correspondent for The Times
The Times
Episode: Do Scotland have a genuine chance at breaking their 11-match losing run to Ireland?
Jack Hanratty
Head coach of the US women's rugby team
US Women's Rugby Team
Episode: Can rugby take off in America?
Simon Thomas
A recurring analyst on issues within Welsh rugby
Welsh rugby analyst
Episode: Could a multiple URC champion be on the way out?
Jimmy Gopperth
A former professional rugby player with an extensive career, including time at Leinster and Wasps.
Formerly of Leinster, Wasps, and various other clubs
Episode: Rugby’s stylistic direction of travel - is it for the best?
Daniel Gallan
A rugby journalist with experience at The Guardian and Rugbypass, originally from South Africa.
The Guardian, Rugbypass
Episode: Ireland vs South Africa: rugby’s biggest rivalry?
Lynne Cantwell
Former Ireland International and current IRFU head of women's strategy
IRFU
Episode: How can Ireland build on their World Cup success?

Hosts

Nathan Johns
Host of The Counter Ruck; Irish Times rugby writer and commentator; prolific presence across episodes.
Gordon D'Arcy
Panelist and former Ireland international; regular on the show providing expert rugby insight.
John O'Sullivan
Panelist; Irish Times rugby writer providing analysis and context.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 137 ratings
  • Average

    ‘Bar bites’

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bazza 17
    Irelanda year ago
  • John, stop using the phrase “if you like” inappropriately

    John O’Sullivan needs to stop using the phrase “if you like” at the end of every sentence inappropriately

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    jizzhandle
    Ireland2 years ago
  • D4 central

    Im a Leinster supporter but this podcast is ridiculously Leinster/D4 centric.. like a private school boys club

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    Moncarmar123m
    Ireland2 years ago
  • Replace Gavin C with Liam T and it’s perfect!

    This is a great rugby pod but could be perfection if you could switch out the gossip-focussed Cummiskey with the far more knowledgable and insightful Liam Toland.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    RobVals
    Ireland7 years ago
  • Fantastic!

    Super podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rob626262
    Ireland7 years ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners value the depth of rugby analysis and guest expertise.
High praise for production quality and variety of topics.
Some feedback notes a Leinster/D4-centric tilt.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#6
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#13
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#30
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#8
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#28
France/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#32
Italy/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Underdog Ireland gear up for All Blacks test
Q: How important is the line-out and what are the key concerns going into the All Blacks game?
They discuss line-out timing, accuracy, and the need to vary throws to counteract the opponents' disruption, emphasizing the risk of turnovers if Ireland cannot execute cleanly in the air.
Underdog Ireland gear up for All Blacks test
Q: Is this an admission that Wing might not be his natural position and could he fit better elsewhere?
The hosts explore if the player's best role might be at fullback or inside center, given his playmaking abilities and space to operate, while acknowledging the tactical reasons Ireland might keep him on the wing for balance and defense.
Underdog Ireland gear up for All Blacks test
Q: What qualities do you think he brings in terms of if you were to play him at Wing?
The discussion highlights that the player has strong footwork and willingness to contest air, but questions whether his pace and finishing are enough for wing; the hosts weigh the trade-offs of a versatile attacker versus a specialized winger.
Who to look out for in Ireland U20s at the World Cup
Q: What are the expectations for this group entering the World Cup?
The hosts expect a strong start with a crucial opener against England that could determine whether they reach the semi-finals, with confidence drawn from a more equipped squad compared to last year and already returning key players.
Leinster reach a record ninth Champions Cup final
Q: What were the key factors that kept Leinster in the mix until the end of the semi-final?
A combination of solid defence, disciplined game management, and timely substitutions helped Leinster weather the late onslaught, allowing them to maintain a slender lead and secure the win.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
Gender Skew
Location
Interests
Professions
Age Range
Household Income
Social Media Reach

Frequently Asked Questions About The Counter Ruck

What is The Counter Ruck about and what kind of topics does it cover?

A rugby-focused show from a major Irish publication, anchored by a host and supported by a regular panel of former players and writers. Episodes frequently dissect URC, European competition, and national team implications, with tactical breakdowns, live-match observations, and governance/news items shaping the sport. Notable is the willingness to tackle off-field topics—coaching changes, governance, and referee decisions—alongside in-depth analysis and crowd/venue dynamics. The cast consistently delivers context-rich takes, guest contributions, and data-informed commentary, making it a strong pick for listeners who want both on-pitch insight and broader rugby ecosystem coverage.

Where can I find podcast stats for The Counter Ruck?

Rephonic provides a wide range of podcast stats for The Counter Ruck. We scanned the web and collated all of the information that we could find in our comprehensive podcast database. See how many people listen to The Counter Ruck and access YouTube viewership numbers, download stats, audience demographics, chart rankings, ratings, reviews and more.

How many listeners does The Counter Ruck get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Counter Ruck have?

To see how many followers or subscribers The Counter Ruck has on Spotify and other platforms such as Castbox and Podcast Addict, simply upgrade your account. You'll also find viewership figures for their YouTube channel if they have one.

Which podcasts are similar to The Counter Ruck?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Counter Ruck:

1. The Left Wing
2. RTÉ Rugby Podcast
3. The 42 Rugby Weekly
4. OTB Rugby
5. Indo Sport

How many episodes of The Counter Ruck are there?

The Counter Ruck launched 9 years ago and published 226 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

How do I contact The Counter Ruck?

Our systems regularly scour the web to find email addresses and social media links for this podcast. We scanned the web and collated all of the contact information that we could find in our podcast database. But in the unlikely event that you can't find what you're looking for, our concierge service lets you request our research team to source better contacts for you.

Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Counter Ruck?

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What guests have appeared on The Counter Ruck?

Recent guests on The Counter Ruck include:

1. Sam Larner
2. Brett Igoe
3. Owen Doyle
4. Mark Palmer
5. Jack Hanratty
6. Simon Thomas
7. Jimmy Gopperth
8. Daniel Gallan

To view more recent guests and their details, simply upgrade your Rephonic account. You'll also get access to a typical guest profile to help you decide if the show is worth pitching.

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