The Ruck
The TimesThe 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.
| Publishes | Twice weekly | Episodes | 513 | Founded | 9 years ago |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Number of Listeners | Categories | RugbySportsSports NewsNews | |||
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Latest Episodes
Ahead of 'Derby Weekend' in the Gallagher PREM, Will Kelleher heads to the midlands to chat to Northampton Saints. He speaks with Director of Rugby Phil Dowson, plus two of the clubs British & Irish Lions in Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman.
Fin explain... more
2003 World Cup winner Lewis Moody has announced that he has motor neurone disease, so, Alex Lowe and Stuart Barnes join Alfie Reynolds to pay tribute to a great man and brilliant player. Tom Kershaw also discusses his investigation for The Times earl... more
Promotion and relegation, franchising and the rugby pyramid; these are all issues that are so fundamental to the state of English rugby, and things so few people agree on.
So, to tackle these meaty topics Will and Alex go to Twickenham to meet Simo... more
England are world champions! The Red Roses have won the 2025 Women's Rugby World Cup so outside Twickenham Alfie, Elgan and Alex look back on the final and the tournament as a whole. They ask what this moment will mean for women's rugby in England? A... more
Key Facts
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Reviews
- 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 Podcasts5CJG-L.U.F.C
United Kingdom12 days 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 Podcasts5a in gxUnited Kingdom2 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 Podcasts1MCCORMAROCKUnited Kingdom3 months ago - Great when not ruined by Stephen Jones
Great podcast and discussion by top journalists. Ruined by Stephen Jones attacking players with misplaced arrogance and is insufferable. Almost made me stop listening. He’s lost touch with the modern audience & game. Would of been 5/5 without him
Apple Podcasts3RyanH1990United Kingdom3 months ago - Steven Jones my god…!
Stopped following the podcast as a direct result of Steven Jones’s. Unlistenable. Please please please put him out to pasture. Old fashioned, out of touch. Pollock has just been named man of match by hamish Watson on another podcast and here is Steven jones saying he’s a “terrible player”. Are Steve borthwick, Andy Farrell, does on all blind? Shame I can’t listen any more, I like Will and Alex.
Apple Podcasts1willpalmer12345United Kingdom3 months ago
Listeners Say
Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.
Chart Rankings
How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.
Apple Podcasts | #5 |  United States/Sports/Rugby |
Apple Podcasts | #6 | United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby |
Apple Podcasts | #13 |  Canada/Sports/Rugby |
Apple Podcasts | #69 | United Kingdom/Sports |
Apple Podcasts | #3 |  Germany/Sports/Rugby |
Apple Podcasts | #13 |  Italy/Sports/Rugby |
Talking Points
Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.
Audience Metrics
Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.
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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
Where can I find podcast stats for The Ruck?
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How many listeners does The Ruck get?
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What are the audience demographics for The Ruck?
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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. Rugby Union Weekly
2. The Rugby Pod
3. The EggChasers Rugby Podcast
4. For The Love Of Rugby
5. Flats and Shanks
How many episodes of The Ruck are there?
The Ruck launched 9 years ago and published 513 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. Rocky Clark
2. Simon Massie-Taylor
3. Morwenna Talling
4. Sarah Massey
5. Emily Chancellor
6. Louis Rees-Zammit
7. Christy Doran
8. Owen Finegan
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.