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The Counter Ruck

The Irish Times
Leinster
Rugby
Six Nations
Ireland
Munster
Irish Rugby
Champions Cup
Leinster Rugby
Ireland Rugby
Connacht
Munster Rugby
URC
New Zealand
Ulster
Lions Tour
Ulster Rugby
Gordon D'arcy
Australia
France
Rugby 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 weeklyEpisodes219Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbySports

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Artwork for The Counter Ruck

Latest Episodes

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 whole with host Nathan Johns.

What did we learn from the narrow win over the W... more

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 road or a worryingly rusty start to their summer window?

Gordon D’Arcy and Joh... more

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 to discuss why Joe Schmidt is still in charge of the Wallabies, will they put ou... more

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 of an Ireland test week as the build-up to a clash with Australia kicks into gear... 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

Gordon D'Arcy
Former Ireland international rugby player and pundit
Episode: Leinster into another final, but are their fans buying into their URC run?
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
Sam Larner
Rugby analyst
Independent rugby analyst (as discussed in episode)
Episode: Are we living in rugby's good old days?
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
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?

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
#7
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#8
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#219
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#13
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#13
Germany/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Is rugby’s TMO process fair?
Q: What changes would improve the TMO process going forward?
Introduce an independent TV director with the TMO, increase rugby-specific training for TMOs and those handling video, and ensure fans can see the reasons behind decisions to improve transparency and trust.
Is rugby’s TMO process fair?
Q: What differences exist between European panels and other regions in terms of TMO operation?
There are calls for rugby-literate technical staff separate from TV directors, and for more independent, specialized teams to handle the clips and packaging shown to TMOs, rather than relying on general broadcast staff.
Is rugby’s TMO process fair?
Q: Why does the problem seem to rear its head more often in France?
Owen explains it stems from long-standing practices and the influence of satellite broadcasters, with some systems relying heavily on the TV director, which leads to inconsistent replay angles and delays in official decisions.

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?

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How many listeners does The Counter Ruck get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Counter Ruck have?

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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 219 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?

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What guests have appeared on The Counter Ruck?

Recent guests on The Counter Ruck include:

1. Gordon D'Arcy
2. Brett Igoe
3. Sam Larner
4. Mark Palmer
5. Gerry Thornley
6. Jack Hanratty
7. Simon Thomas
8. Jimmy Gopperth

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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