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The Counter Ruck

The Irish Times
Six Nations
Rugby
Irish Rugby
Ireland
Ireland Rugby
Welsh Rugby
Scotland
Gordon D'arcy
Scrum
France
England Rugby
Jack Crowley
Wales Rugby
European Rugby
Twickenham
Mike Bubbins
Jamie Osborne
Italy Rugby
Ireland Under 20s
World Cup

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 weeklyEpisodes188Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbySports

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Artwork for The Counter Ruck

Latest Episodes

Plenty of rugby news warrants further discussion as a thrilling conclusion to the Leinster Schools Cup warranted a replay.

Munster are also in the headlines after a concerning story that they are implementing voluntary redundancies after enduring s... more

A week after the conclusion of the Six Nations, the provinces returned to action.

Bundee Aki headlined a statement win for Connacht over Ulster while Sam Prendergast and Leinster struggled away to Glasgow.

A record defeat for Munster rounded off ... more

The Six Nations finished with a bang with Ireland’s Triple Crown win over Scotland and France’s thrilling escape act against England, a late affair that just denied Ireland the title.

Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through what we’ve lear... more

Heartbreak for Ireland as England’s late penalty concession and Thomas Ramos’ right boot cost Andy Farrell’s side a Six Nations title.

Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns from the bowels of the Aviva Stadium to try and make sense of a Super Saturday ... more

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

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?
Gerry Thornley
Irish Times rugby correspondent
The Irish Times
Episode: Ireland beat a dogged Wales side under the lights at the Aviva
Sam Larner
Rugby analyst and author of Attacking the Space
Author, rugby analyst
Episode: Data in rugby and Ireland’s tactical revolution explained
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?
Lindsay Peat
Retired Irish rugby player, former loose-head prop who played in the 2017 World Cup.
Episode: Ireland’s 2017 World Cup misery - what can be learned?

Host

Nathan Johns
Host of a rugby podcast focused on analysis and commentary from various experts and journalists.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 134 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
    Irelanda year 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
    Irelanda year 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
    Ireland6 years ago
  • Fantastic!

    Super podcast!

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Rob626262
    Ireland6 years ago

Listeners Say

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

Some feel the podcast could improve by diversifying its topics beyond a focus on particular teams or players.
Listeners appreciate the expertise of panelists and their ability to discuss strategies effectively.
The insights presented are often seen as thorough and knowledgeable, appealing to dedicated rugby fans.
Critiques suggest occasional biases towards certain teams, with a call for more balanced perspectives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#15
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#15
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#23
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#2
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#28
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#37
France/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Ireland denied the title by France's late act
Q: What did you make of that France display?
Gerry Thornley highlights France's resilience, the card discipline, and key moments when they capitalized despite going down to 14 men, while noting how those factors weighed against Ireland's performance.
Do Scotland have a genuine chance at breaking their 11-match losing run to Ireland?
Q: With all that in mind, do you think you've seen enough from Scotland that that area will be a little bit more competitive than it has been in the past?
Yes, there is enough to suggest it could be more competitive, especially in the Conan-Dempsey matchup, and there's a sense Scotland have raised the bar in leadership and game management, though achieving a win remains untested in this context.
Rory Best on how Ulster have turned things around
Q: How important is it for Ulster players to be playing for Ireland?
Best emphasizes that it's crucial for Ulster to produce players who are at the top level and represent Ireland, which reflects the effectiveness of their developmental pathways and ultimately benefits the club.
Rory Best on how Ulster have turned things around
Q: What qualifications do you bring to your role as the general manager of Ulster Rugby?
Rory Best states that while he is not a seasoned business expert, his experience in the insurance world and his deep knowledge of rugby provide him with a significant advantage in his new role.
Why rugby’s bomb squads are bad for the game
Q: Does World Rugby have a choice in this?
They must base decisions on scientific data and the current rules, even if there are calls for change based on the spirit of the game.

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?

Focused on the world of rugby, the content offers in-depth analysis and insights into various leagues and teams, predominantly centered on Irish rugby. A blend of expert commentary, the show frequently discusses recent games, player performances, coaching strategies, and developmental pathways in the sport. Episodes often feature discussions on significant matches, notable player changes, and the implications of various performances, providing a comprehensive view of the rugby landscape. The panelists engage in lively debates, making the show informative while appealing to both casual fans and dedicated followers of rugby.

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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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. Indo Sport
5. OTB Rugby

How many episodes of The Counter Ruck are there?

The Counter Ruck launched 8 years ago and published 188 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. Mark Palmer
2. Gerry Thornley
3. Sam Larner
4. Jack Hanratty
5. Simon Thomas
6. Jimmy Gopperth
7. Daniel Gallan
8. Lynne Cantwell

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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