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The Ruck

The Times
Champions Cup
Six Nations
Rugby Union
Owen Farrell
Gallagher Premiership
Netflix
Rugby
Media
English Rugby Teams
England Rugby
Joe Schmidt
Louis Rees-Zammit
World Cup
Scotland Rugby
Six Nations Championship
Northampton Saints
Funding Circle
Henry Arundell
Sale Sharks
France Rugby

The Ruck is the journalists' rugby podcast from The Times & The Sunday Times.

Join Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and a selection of guests every week as they provide insight and reports throughout the season, including big-name interviews and forthright analysis.

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

PublishesTwice weeklyEpisodes526Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbyNewsSports NewsSports

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Artwork for The Ruck

Latest Episodes

It's the final weekend of the November internationals (apart from Wales and South Africa who play each other next week!).

So, Alfie, Will and Elgan are once again at the England training base to look ahead to their match against Argentina. After a ... more

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Owen Slot and Will Kelleher look back on the latest action from the November internationals.

They ask what was the most important result of the weekend? Wales finally winning at home or England beating the All Blacks? And,... more

England have beaten the All Blacks for the 9th time in their history! Steve Borthwick's side ran out comfortable winners for a statement victory.

Alfie, Alex and Will react to the result and discuss what it now means for England moving forward. They ... more

All Blacks legend and double world cup winning New Zealand captain Richie McCaw joins Alfie, Alex and Will to look ahead to the match against England this weekend.

He explains why an All Blacks team should never be 'developing', what makes Ardie Sav... more

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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Number of Listeners
Find out how many people listen to this podcast per episode and each month.

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Recent Guests

Richie McCaw
One of the great All Blacks and rugby players.
Episode: Richie McCaw previews England vs New Zealand
Stephen Kitshoff
Double World Cup winner and former Springbok player
Springboks
Episode: Steven Kitshoff: Life threatening injury, France vs Springboks and bomb squad beer
Sam Warburton
Former professional rugby player and current pundit
Former Wales and British and Irish Lions player
Episode: Warburton on Welsh rugby's future & Freeman the centre
Fin Smith
Fly-half for England and Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Episode: Two Lions on the pod: Fin Smith staying at Saints & Tommy Freeman’s positional switch.
Tommy Freeman
Winger for England and Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Episode: Two Lions on the pod: Fin Smith staying at Saints & Tommy Freeman’s positional switch.
Phil Dowson
Director of Rugby at Northampton Saints
Northampton Saints
Episode: Two Lions on the pod: Fin Smith staying at Saints & Tommy Freeman’s positional switch.
Tom Kershaw
Investigative journalist who tackled the connection between MND and elite sports
The Times
Episode: Lewis Moody's heart-breaking MND diagnosis - what is sport's connection to the disease?
Simon Massie-Taylor
CEO of PREM Rugby
PREM Rugby
Episode: 'PREM' season preview - A new Red Bull era and Thursday night rugby
Alex Sanderson
Director of Rugby at Sale Sharks
Sale Rugby Club
Episode: 'PREM' season preview - A new Red Bull era and Thursday night rugby

Hosts

Alfie Reynolds
Co-host focusing on insights from the rugby realm and deep analysis of current trends.
Will Kelleher
Co-host providing expert commentary and personal anecdotes from the rugby field.
Alex Lowe
Co-host sharing analytical perspectives and match insights.

Reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars from 836 ratings
  • Alfi the football chap

    Send him back to football, he offers nothing about rugby

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    The back row chap
    United Kingdom21 days ago
  • Solo episode

    I enjoyed the Will solo episode on Saints. Makes a nice to change to hear from those involved in the game rather than just the journalists (ditto the recent episode with Simon Gillham)

    Apple Podcasts
    4
    ERS1970
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Excellent and comprehensive coverage

    I don’t usually write reviews but was astounded to see the ‘low’ average rating as this is the best and most comprehensive rugby podcast on the market. Friendly, measured and knowledgeable journalists who aren’t afraid to tackle difficult issues surrounding the game.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CJG-L.U.F.C
    United Kingdom2 months ago
  • Excellent coverage of Lions series

    Alex and Will, expertly chaired by Alfie did a great job down under. Good content with insight and always timely best competition hands down. Only blot was one early episode with Stephen Jones when he was downright rude to his copresenters and frankly to a big chunk of the listeners..

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    a in gx
    United Kingdom3 months ago
  • Could do with a diversity of voices

    Have enjoyed this podcast in the past but listening to 3 former English schoolboys speaking on behalf of England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland feels very one-dimensional and lacking serious analysis. One example is speaking of the “Jockography Six” or whatever terrible coinage is at play here. Lots of chuckles from the boys but not serious analysis. In summary, a good listen if you enjoy being subordinate in the showers at a middling fee-paying school. If you prefer your podcast hosts to have mat... more

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    MCCORMAROCK
    United Kingdom4 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Listeners appreciate the insightful and timely discussions on rugby with notable commentary, especially during major tournaments.
Reviewers point to a strong analytical angle that enriches fans' understanding of the games and broader themes in rugby.
Some feedback indicates a desire for more diverse perspectives to enhance discussions and include a broader representation of rugby narratives.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#5
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#233
United Kingdom/Top Podcasts
Apple Podcasts
#5
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#7
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#36
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#5
Germany/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Richie McCaw previews England vs New Zealand
Q: How does Richie McCaw perceive the current All Blacks compared to his playing days?
Richie mentioned that although the All Blacks are not as dominant as before, they still have significant talent, and consistency in performance remains key.
Richie McCaw previews England vs New Zealand
Q: What's the feeling in New Zealand ahead of the match against England?
Richie indicated that while there have been successful patches, the All Blacks need to be more consistent for the upcoming match at Twickenham.
Scotland miss All Blacks history as England plan their own shot at glory
Q: What do you think is Scotland's future outlook after this match?
Although they are getting closer, their window of opportunity may be closing, and they must convert near-misses into wins against stronger teams.
Scotland miss All Blacks history as England plan their own shot at glory
Q: How does the current state of French rugby reflect on their performance against South Africa?
The performance raises questions about whether Fabien Galthie is maximizing the potential of the available talent.
Scotland miss All Blacks history as England plan their own shot at glory
Q: What are the key takeaways from Scotland's loss against New Zealand?
Scotland constructed favorable situations but failed to capitalize, indicating persistent mental hurdles against top-tier teams.

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 Ruck

What is The Ruck about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This podcast provides in-depth analysis and discussions centered around rugby, focusing especially on major tournaments and fixtures within the sport. Episodes frequently feature expert insights and commentary from a host of engaging speakers who bring their experiences as journalists and players to the table, enhancing the understanding of the game for listeners. Noteworthy is its emphasis on the growing popularity of women's rugby, the dynamics of national teams, and the impact of past tournaments such as the Lions Tour. The show strives to balance both detailed match analysis and broader discussions about the strategic elements influencing rugby's evolving landscape, making it appealing to both rugby enthusiasts and those seeking compreh... more

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How many listeners does The Ruck get?

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How many subscribers and views does The Ruck have?

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Which podcasts are similar to The Ruck?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ruck:

1. The Telegraph Rugby Podcast
2. Rugby Union Weekly
3. The Rugby Pod
4. For The Love Of Rugby
5. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby

How many episodes of The Ruck are there?

The Ruck launched 9 years ago and published 526 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 Ruck?

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Where can I see ratings and reviews for The Ruck?

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What guests have appeared on The Ruck?

Recent guests on The Ruck include:

1. Richie McCaw
2. Stephen Kitshoff
3. Sam Warburton
4. Fin Smith
5. Tommy Freeman
6. Phil Dowson
7. Tom Kershaw
8. Simon Massie-Taylor

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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