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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, 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 weeklyEpisodes182Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbySports

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Artwork for The Counter Ruck

Latest Episodes

This was a much-changed Ireland side from the one who performed heroics at Twickenham against England two weeks ago. And there was much to admire given their blistering start, but question marks too.

And have Wales finally turned a corner after so l... more

Andy Farrell has made five changes to the starting XV ahead of Friday’s clash with Wales.

Unusual, perhaps, to mix up a winning formula after a stunning day out at Twickenham.

John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy join Nathan Johns to pick through wh... more

Sam Larner has, quite literally, written the book on data in rugby.

In his recent publication, Attacking the Space: Inside rugby’s data and tactics revolution, Larner attempts to explain why the game looks the way it does in a manner accessible to t... more

Everyone loved a crisis talk after Ireland U20s and Ireland XV lost on the same weekend the senior side struggled in Paris.

Since then, though, the U20s have won back-to-back games, including an impressive display against England.

After last year... 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.

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Recent Guests

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?
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?

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 131 ratings
  • Average

    ‘Bar bites’

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    Bazza 17
    Ireland10 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 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
#7
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#14
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#19
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#170
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#17
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#28
France/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Why rugby’s bomb squads are bad for the game
Q: Why did World Rugby feel the need to come out and say we're not going to ban the 7-1 bench split?
They claimed there are no medical consequences to banning the 7-1 split and cited a lack of evidence supporting concerns about safety.
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.

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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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. Indo Sport
2. The 42 Rugby Weekly
3. The Ruck
4. The Rugby Pod
5. Rugby Union Weekly

How many episodes of The Counter Ruck are there?

The Counter Ruck launched 8 years ago and published 182 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. Jack Hanratty
2. Simon Thomas
3. Jimmy Gopperth
4. Daniel Gallan
5. Lynne Cantwell
6. Lindsay Peat
7. Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald
8. Larissa Muldoon

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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