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The Ruck

The Times
Champions Cup
Six Nations
Rugby Union
Owen Farrell
Gallagher Premiership
Netflix
Scotland Rugby
Rugby
Media
English Rugby Teams
England Rugby
Joe Schmidt
Louis Rees-Zammit
World Cup
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 weeklyEpisodes557Founded9 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
RugbyNewsSports NewsSports

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Artwork for The Ruck

Latest Episodes

Alfie Reynolds, Elgan Alderman and Charlie Morgan look back on the Champions Cup quarter-finals.

They ask which was better...Bath and Northampton's epic high-scoring tussle at The Rec? Or the heavyweight clash between Bordeaux and Toulouse?

Was Hen... more

The last-16 of the Champions Cup delivered! Following an exciting weekend Alfie Reynolds, Elgan Alderman, Alex Lowe and Mark Palmer look back on the action.

They chat about the competition finally bursting into life with some excellent matches inclu... more

YouTube

Following a trio of showpiece matches at big stadiums in the Gallagher Prem Alfie, Will and Charlie are back in studio to review the action.

They discuss Geoff Parling's fiery altercation with broadcaster TNT before Gloucester vs Leicester and ask w... more

Sir James Dyson has become a 50% shareholder at Bath, so what does that mean for the club and for English domestic rugby?

Will it cement the clubs place at the top of the PREM for years to come? And it will it encourage further investment into the l... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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

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Recent Guests

Seb Atkinson
Gloucester and England Centre
Gloucester Rugby, England Rugby
Episode: Can Dyson's dosh build a dynasty at Bath?
Elgan Olderman
Guest, fresh from 6 Nations coverage
The Times & The Sunday Times
Episode: Historic weekend leaves three nations in the running
Louis Lynagh
Italian international winger, former Queen's man
Benetton Rugby Treviso / Italy
Episode: Can 'best ever' Italy beat England for the first time?
Mark Evans
Former CEO of the Fijian Drua
Episode: Will Welsh rugby ever recover?
Liam Napier
Sports journalist known for covering rugby in New Zealand
New Zealand Herald
Episode: Did Scott Robertson 'lose the dressing room'?
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

Host

Alfie Reynolds
Host of a leading rugby podcast, providing insights and discussion on various rugby topics.

Reviews

3.5 out of 5 stars from 869 ratings
  • Will Collier

    Can we have more please, he’s exceptional, what a great catch for the Ruck.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    The back row chap
    United Kingdom14 days ago
  • Brilliant pod

    Thanks to all the team as a regular listener to a few rugby podcasts, what I like about this one is the journalistic approach I find it insightful in a way that I don’t necessarily find in other. The take on England this week was particularly interesting.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    agah1971
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Good listen

    Don’t understand the low reviews, think they do a good job. Don’t always agree but generally balanced opinion. Now Stephen Jones has gone anyway

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    "The Reducer"
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Stuart Barnes makes this a horrible listen

    I normally enjoy listening to this podcast, it’s typically calm and coherent but that last two episodes with Stuart Barnes have made this intolerable. Talking over other hosts, antiquated views, unnecessarily vexatious commentary makes for an unpleasant experience.

    Apple Podcasts
    2
    catkinryan
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Just one thing….

    Please, please stop saying “go” and “going” when you mean “say” and “saying”. It’s really annoying!

    Apple Podcasts
    3
    SirKieran
    United States2 months ago

Listeners Say

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

There's a strong sentiment for the engaging and lively discussions among the hosts, making for an enjoyable listening experience.
Listeners appreciate the knowledgeable analysis and insights from experienced journalists on current rugby events.
Some criticisms highlight a perceived lack of diversity in voices and opinions presented, particularly in discussions focused on player performance.
Overall sentiment is generally positive, valuing the in-depth, journalist-driven content that appeals to dedicated rugby fans.

Chart Rankings

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

Apple Podcasts
#11
United States/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#6
United Kingdom/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#8
Canada/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#89
United Kingdom/Sports
Apple Podcasts
#12
Germany/Sports/Rugby
Apple Podcasts
#18
France/Sports/Rugby

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

Can 'best ever' Italy beat England for the first time?
Q: How has Lynagh's path influenced his perspective on this game?
His experience across England's system and now playing for Italy gives him a unique lens on team culture, development pathways, and what it takes to compete at the top level, especially against his former teammates.
Can 'best ever' Italy beat England for the first time?
Q: What makes this England-Italy match so significant right now?
England are in a turbulent phase with a new-look backline and leadership under Borthwick, while Italy are building confidence and cohesion, including a strong center pairing and the sense that they can challenge traditional powerhouses.
England's 'alarming' defeat to brilliant Ireland
Q: Why have England been so bad?
It's baffling how England can collapse after being slick and well put together in previous matches, indicating deeper issues within the team.
Who are the 6 Nations favourites?
Q: What impact does the one less rest week have, if anything?
It presents a new dynamic in how teams approach the championship and may influence strategies regarding player fatigue and injuries.
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.

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?

Focused on the world of rugby, this series features insights and discussions from knowledgeable journalists who explore the current events and stories surrounding the sport. With a panel of experienced hosts and guest experts, topics include match analyses, team performances, and key player developments, particularly during major tournaments like the Six Nations and the Champions Cup. The content is characterized by a blend of detailed reporting, personal anecdotes from the guests, and a lively camaraderie among the hosts, making it both informative and entertaining for rugby enthusiasts.

Listeners are likely to appreciate the in-depth discussions on pressing issues, historical context, and future predictions regarding the sport. Unique of... 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. 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 557 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. Seb Atkinson
2. Elgan Olderman
3. Louis Lynagh
4. Mark Evans
5. Liam Napier
6. Will Collier
7. André Esterhuizen
8. Richie McCaw

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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