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The Ruck

The Times
Champions Cup
Six Nations
Rugby Union
England Rugby
Owen Farrell
Gallagher Premiership
Netflix
Rugby
Media
English Rugby Teams
Joe Schmidt
Louis Rees-Zammit
World Cup
Scotland Rugby
Six Nations Championship
Calcutta Cup
Northampton Saints
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 weeklyEpisodes536Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbySports NewsSportsNews

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Artwork for The Ruck

Latest Episodes

Following the All Blacks sacking head coach Scott Robertson, Alfie, Will and Alex are joined by the New Zealand Herald's Liam Napier to explain why he's been given his marching orders just two years into his tenure. Was it down to losing the dressing... more

Following another weekend of action in the Champions Cup Alfie, Elgan and Alex look back on all of the big stories.

With only one round of matches to go until the knockout stages they explain why, despite some great games, the competition continues ... more

Henry Pollock had a remarkable 2025!

Breaking through with Northampton Saints, making his England debut, beating Leinster in Dublin, a Champions Cup final appearance and being named on the British & Irish Lions tour.

So Will and Alex have made the ... more

At the midway point in the Prem season Harlequins find themselves in a crisis. They're 8th in the table, having only won two of their nine games, including a 66-21 defeat to Northampton at the weekend.

So, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are at The Stoop... 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

Will Collier
Professional rugby player and scrum expert
Castres Olympique
Episode: How to save the Champions Cup, scrums and the Champ
André Esterhuizen
Springboks and Sharks player, known for playing both in the back line and as a flanker.
Sharks
Episode: Is this Bath's year in Europe? Plus hybrid hero André Esterhuizen
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
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?

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 844 ratings
  • Alfi the football chap

    Send him back to football, he offers nothing about rugby

    Apple Podcasts
    1
    The back row chap
    United Kingdom3 months 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 Kingdom3 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 Kingdom4 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 Kingdom5 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 Kingdom6 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
#10
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#6
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#10
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#84
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#9
Italy/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#10
Germany/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Henry Pollock Special
Q: What would you pick out from 2025 as maybe a couple of little unseen moments that you really cherished about last year?
My debut in Wales and the drive back after being picked for Lions were really special moments.
Henry Pollock Special
Q: Is it a really exciting time to come back from Christmas?
Yes, it's a massive time for the team and I've been looking forward to it.
What's happening at Harlequins!?
Q: Will there be any immediate changes with the coaching?
We've decided not to make knee-jerk decisions and will benchmark our current coaches with external candidates to identify the right person for the club's future.
What's happening at Harlequins!?
Q: How have the last few weeks been and what's happening at Harlequins?
It's been a difficult season so far. We're in a situation where we're not performing to the sum of our parts despite having great players and coaches, and there are multiple issues affecting our performance.
Is this Bath's year in Europe? Plus hybrid hero André Esterhuizen
Q: Did you ever play in the forwards growing up?
I was always at back, tried playing in the back row at under 21 level but it was tough.

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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To see how many followers or subscribers The 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 Ruck?

These podcasts share a similar audience with The Ruck:

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

How many episodes of The Ruck are there?

The Ruck launched 9 years ago and published 536 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. Will Collier
2. André Esterhuizen
3. Richie McCaw
4. Stephen Kitshoff
5. Sam Warburton
6. Phil Dowson
7. Fin Smith
8. Tommy Freeman

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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