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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
Louis Rees-Zammit
Joe Schmidt
World Cup
Six Nations Championship
Scotland Rugby
Calcutta Cup
Northampton Saints
Funding Circle
Henry Arundell
Sale Sharks

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 weeklyEpisodes529Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
Sports NewsRugbySportsNews

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Artwork for The Ruck

Latest Episodes

The Ruck has a South African flavour this week as we interview Springboks hybrid hero André Esterhuizen, the centre who can also play back-row. We talk about that innovation, the Boks' fine 2025 and the upcoming Champions Cup clash between his Sharks... more

Following the end of the Autumn Internationals, Alex Lowe and Elgan Alderman review the action. We look at South Africa's 73–0 mauling of Wales, as well as the late-game incident involving Eben Etzebeth.

Elsewhere, Alex and Elgan discuss the latest i... more

Following the end of the November internationals Alfie, Alex, Will and Barnsey are back in studio to review the action.

In 2025 South Africa have cemented themselves as the number one side in the world but who are their closest challengers? Is it En... more

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

Key Facts

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Contact Information
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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
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.
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.
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
Morwenna Talling
England second row player of the match in the quarter-final victory over Scotland
England Women's Rugby Team
Episode: Were Ireland robbed of a World Cup semi-final?
Sarah Massey
Managing Director of the Women's Rugby World Cup 2025
Women's Rugby World Cup 2025
Episode: Is an England v New Zealand final the best thing for the World Cup?

Hosts

Alex Lowe
Co-host and journalist specializing in rugby analysis and commentary.
Alfie Reynolds
Co-host and rugby commentator noted for incisive insights into the game.
Will Kelleher
Co-host and sports reporter focusing on rugby, providing in-depth analysis and coverage.

Reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars from 843 ratings
  • Alfi the football chap

    Send him back to football, he offers nothing about rugby

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    The back row chap
    United Kingdoma month 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 Kingdom2 months 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom5 months ago

Listeners Say

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

Listeners appreciate the extensive and knowledgeable coverage of rugby events, with many highlighting the informative analysis provided by the hosts.
The podcast is seen as a valuable resource for fans seeking both insights into current matches and broader commentary on the rugby landscape.
Audience members express occasional frustration with specific hosts, citing a desire for diverse voices in discussions and a move away from perceived biases.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#6
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#7
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#9
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#139
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#19
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#22
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 offers in-depth commentary and analysis on the latest happenings in international rugby, engaging listeners with expert insights and lively discussions. It covers various competitions, notably the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup, alongside matches featuring major teams like England, New Zealand, and South Africa, discussing team strategies, player performances, and match outcomes. The hosts often bring on notable guests, including former professional players, to enrich conversations with personal experiences and nuanced perspectives, making it a prime destination for rugby enthusiasts and sports analysts alike. With its combination of journalistic integrity and passionate discourse, the podcast appeals to fans looking for a... more

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How many listeners does The Ruck get?

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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. The Good, The Bad & The Rugby
5. For The Love Of Rugby

How many episodes of The Ruck are there?

The Ruck launched 9 years ago and published 529 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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What guests have appeared on The Ruck?

Recent guests on The Ruck include:

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

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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