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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 weeklyEpisodes194Founded8 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbySports

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Artwork for The Counter Ruck

Latest Episodes

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to talk through Ireland’s home start to their Six Nations campaign against Italy this Saturday after defeat to England last week in front of a record crowd of 77,120 at the Allianz Stadium.

They also preview Ulster... more

Leinster are in the Champions Cup semi-finals after beating Sale while Ulster find themselves in the Challenge Cup last four thanks to victory over La Rochelle.

They will not be joined by Connacht, though, after they lost in France to Montpellier. ... more

Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through the wreckage of Munster’s European campaign. The rot on the pitch appears to stem from deeper lying issues off it.

Plus, news on Ireland’s team selection for their women’s Six Nations opener, as well... more

After Leinster impressed but confounded in equal measure in their latest Champions Cup outing, what to make of their tournament hopes? How have Munster found themselves already out of Europe’s second tier competition? Do Connacht and Ulster have legi... more

Key Facts

Accepts Sponsors
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Number of Listeners
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Recent Guests

Gerry Thornley
Sports journalist and analyst for The Irish Times
The Irish Times
Episode: Ireland denied the title by France's late act
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?
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?
Jonathan Drennan
Guest from the Sydney Morning Herald and unofficial Australia rugby correspondent
Sydney Morning Herald
Episode: What will Joe Schmidt's legacy with Australia be?
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 134 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
#12
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#23
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#32
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#15
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#17
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#32
France/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

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.
Do Scotland have a genuine chance at breaking their 11-match losing run to Ireland?
Q: With all that in mind, do you think you've seen enough from Scotland that that area will be a little bit more competitive than it has been in the past?
Yes, there is enough to suggest it could be more competitive, especially in the Conan-Dempsey matchup, and there's a sense Scotland have raised the bar in leadership and game management, though achieving a win remains untested in this context.
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.

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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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 194 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.

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What guests have appeared on The Counter Ruck?

Recent guests on The Counter Ruck include:

1. Gerry Thornley
2. Mark Palmer
3. Sam Larner
4. Jack Hanratty
5. Simon Thomas
6. Jimmy Gopperth
7. Daniel Gallan
8. Jonathan Drennan

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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