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The Counter Ruck

The Irish Times
Leinster
Rugby
Six Nations
Ireland
Irish Rugby
Munster
Champions Cup
Ireland Rugby
Leinster Rugby
Connacht
URC
Munster Rugby
Gordon D'arcy
France
Ulster
Lions Tour
New Zealand
Ireland Rugby Team
Rugby World Cup
World Rugby

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 weeklyEpisodes203Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbySports

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Artwork for The Counter Ruck

Latest Episodes

In front of a record-breaking crowd, Ireland women powered past Scotland to finish their Six Nations campaign.

Meanwhile Connacht and Munster secured their top eight spots in the URC, Ulster narrowly missed out while Leinster warmed up for their Ch... more

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to preview the weekend’s rugby action.

How can all four Irish provinces make the URC top eight? Are Ulster prioritising the Challenge Cup final over their last URC outing?

Plus, how Ireland built towards a recor... more

Did Connacht’s stability off the field manifest itself in their dominant victory over Munster, given the chaos engulfing their provincial rivals?

What of a glut of refereeing decisions that prompted debate over the weekend, including Nathan Doak’s ... more

Controversy surrounded the weekend’s Champions Cup action after a number of head contacts were supposedly missed by the officials.

Was this genuine error, issues with TV directors or something else wrong with the process?

Former referee Owen Doyle ... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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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

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?
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?

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 135 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
    Ireland6 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.

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
#18
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#34
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#42
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#5
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#31
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#41
France/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
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.

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?

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How many listeners does The Counter Ruck get?

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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. OTB Rugby
5. Indo Sport

How many episodes of The Counter Ruck are there?

The Counter Ruck launched 8 years ago and published 203 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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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. Owen Doyle
2. Mark Palmer
3. Gerry Thornley
4. Sam Larner
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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