
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.
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 226 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | SportsRugby | |||

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
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‘Bar bites’
John O’Sullivan needs to stop using the phrase “if you like” at the end of every sentence inappropriately
Im a Leinster supporter but this podcast is ridiculously Leinster/D4 centric.. like a private school boys club
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.
Super podcast!
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #6 | |
Apple Podcasts | #13 | |
Apple Podcasts | #30 | |
Apple Podcasts | #8 | |
Apple Podcasts | #28 | |
Apple Podcasts | #32 |
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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.
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4. OTB Rugby
5. Indo Sport
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.
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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
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