Rephonic
Artwork for The Counter Ruck

The Counter Ruck

The Irish Times
Six Nations
Rugby
Ireland
Irish Rugby
Ireland Rugby
Welsh Rugby
Gordon D'arcy
Scrum
France
England Rugby
Scotland
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. Produced in association with Harcourt Bar & Garden.

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes162Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbySports

Listen to this Podcast

Artwork for The Counter Ruck

Latest Episodes

The Christmas interpros have been and gone, Leinster and Ulster prevailing over Munster and Connacht respectively. Thomond Park was notable not so much for the quality of rugby but barbs which came off the pitch post-match.

Leo Cullen and Simon Zeb... more

Inevitably, before their success in the United Rugby Championship last season, plenty of public commentary focused on Leinster’s inability to get over the line in big games. Clearly, they had the talent. Was the problem instead to be found in the top... more

Another week, another round of games featuring Irish provinces winning ugly. Leinster and Munster secured bonus point victories despite being far from their best.

Are we being harsh by focusing overly on performances instead of bottom lines at this... more

Not for the first time this year, Welsh rugby is awash with speculation of the downfall of one of its clubs. The Ospreys, four-time winners of the URC in its various guises over the year, are the latest team which could be on the chopping block, acco... 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.

Similar Podcasts

People also subscribe to these shows.

The Left Wing
The Left WingIrish Independent
The 42 Rugby Weekly
The 42 Rugby WeeklyThe 42 Rugby Weekly
Indo Sport
Indo SportIrish Independent
OTB Rugby
OTB RugbyOTB Sports

Recent Guests

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?
Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald
Current Irish rugby player and former participant in the 2017 World Cup.
Episode: Ireland’s 2017 World Cup misery - what can be learned?
Larissa Muldoon
Former Irish scrum half who played during the 2017 World Cup and scored the first try of the tournament.
Episode: Ireland’s 2017 World Cup misery - what can be learned?
Louise Lawless
Rugby writer covering the Irish women's rugby team for The Irish Times
The Irish Times
Episode: Ireland’s World Cup: limping to the start line or a golden opportunity?
Jonathan Drennan
Belfast native working in Australia for The Sydney Morning Herald
Sydney Morning Herald
Episode: Is it do or die for Australia in the second test against the Lions?

Host

Nathan Johns
Host of a rugby podcast providing insightful analyses and discussions about the game, with a focus on Irish rugby.

Reviews

4.3 out of 5 stars from 127 ratings
  • Average

    ‘Bar bites’

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bazza 17
    Ireland8 months 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 listeners express a desire for greater variety in topics and coverage of different aspects of rugby beyond player performances.
The podcast is recognized for its detailed coverage of Irish rugby and its cultural implications, resonating with rugby enthusiasts.
Listeners appreciate the depth of analysis and commentary provided about rugby, often highlighting the insightful observations from hosts.
There are mixed feelings regarding host dynamics, with some suggesting that certain hosts dominate discussions, potentially sidelining others.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#6
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#12
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#16
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#15
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#17
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#19
France/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can Ireland upset the odds against New Zealand?
Q: What can we expect from Ireland over the next four weeks?
Thornley indicates that Ireland has changed their game approach to focus more on counter-attacking and kicking strategies rather than relying solely on high phase counts.
What we learned from Munster’s emphatic win over Leinster
Q: What impact do we think this has on Ireland over the next few weeks in terms of pecking orders?
The performance of Munster may influence selections as players have showcased their form, particularly Jack Crowley.
Ireland’s November squad: valuable rotation or more of the same?
Q: Do you think Stockdale is long-term fullback?
There's potential for him to reinvent himself as a fullback, especially given the competition at left wing.
Ireland’s November squad: valuable rotation or more of the same?
Q: Have you noticed anything markedly different about Munster and how they're going about things under their new coach?
They are becoming more pragmatic and direct in their style of play, focusing on winning physical collisions.
How are Leinster and Munster stacking up ahead of their first meeting of the season?
Q: Who will start at out-half next week for Leinster?
Both Harry Byrne and Sam Prendergast are in contention, with discussions on their recent performances influencing the decision.

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?

Engaging discussions surrounding rugby, this podcast provides listeners with insight into the sport's latest happenings, particularly focusing on Irish rugby and international competitions. With in-depth analyses of matches, player performances, and strategic evaluations, the hosts dissect game dynamics along with broader themes such as ticket pricing, the impact of rule changes, and the cultural significance of rugby rivalries. The chemistry between the knowledgeable hosts fosters a rich commentary that appeals to rugby fans keen on understanding both the sporting and societal implications of the game. Unique in its approach, it often blends personal anecdotes from the hosts' experiences with critical reflections on current events within r... more

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?

Rephonic provides a full set of podcast information for three million podcasts, including the number of listeners. View further listenership figures for The Counter Ruck, including podcast download numbers and subscriber numbers, so you can make better decisions about which podcasts to sponsor or be a guest on. You will need to upgrade your account to access this premium data.

What are the audience demographics for The Counter Ruck?

Rephonic provides comprehensive predictive audience data for The Counter Ruck, including gender skew, age, country, political leaning, income, professions, education level, and interests. You can access these listener demographics by upgrading your account.

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. Indo Sport
5. OTB Rugby

How many episodes of The Counter Ruck are there?

The Counter Ruck launched 8 years ago and published 162 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?

Rephonic pulls ratings and reviews for The Counter Ruck from multiple sources, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, Castbox, and Podcast Addict.

View all the reviews in one place instead of visiting each platform individually and use this information to decide if a show is worth pitching or not.

How do I access podcast episode transcripts for The Counter Ruck?

Rephonic provides full transcripts for episodes of The Counter Ruck. Search within each transcript for your keywords, whether they be topics, brands or people, and figure out if it's worth pitching as a guest or sponsor. You can even set-up alerts to get notified when your keywords are mentioned.

What guests have appeared on The Counter Ruck?

Recent guests on The Counter Ruck include:

1. Simon Thomas
2. Jimmy Gopperth
3. Daniel Gallan
4. Lynne Cantwell
5. Lindsay Peat
6. Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald
7. Larissa Muldoon
8. Louise Lawless

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.

Find and pitch the right podcasts

We help savvy brands, marketers and PR professionals to find the right podcasts for any topic or niche. Get the data and contacts you need to pitch podcasts at scale and turn listeners into customers.
Try it free for 7 days