The Counter Ruck

Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through the wreckage of Munster’s European campaign. The rot on the pitch appears to stem from deeper lying issues off it. Plus, news on Ireland’s team selection for their women’s Six Nations opener, as well as a look ahead to Leinster, Connacht and Ulster’s European action, with a look at La Rochelle’s unique selection for their trip to Belfast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Leinster impressed but confounded in equal measure in their latest Champions Cup outing, what to make of their tournament hopes? How have Munster found themselves already out of Europe’s second tier competition? Do Connacht and Ulster have legitimate silverware chances?Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rugby is experiencing a wave of positivity after the recent Six Nations. We saw a record number of tries scored in the competition as attacking rugby was on full display. Does this mean we are living through a positive upswing in the state of the game as an entertainment product? Why are teams better at scoring now than in the best? Given the sport cycles through negativity around kicking and entertainment value, are we living through the sport’s good old days? Rugby analyst Sam Larner joins Nathan Johns to pick through the trends that explain why so many tries are being scored. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With word on Ireland eyeing up an Australian rugby prospect, Nathan johns and Gordon D’Arcy look at Ireland’s prop development pathway. Plus, how did Jamie Osborne look back in the centre following a Six Nations campaign at 15? How did Munster improve on a difficult South African tour? How are the provinces shaping up for a return to Europe?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plenty of rugby news warrants further discussion as a thrilling conclusion to the Leinster Schools Cup warranted a replay. Munster are also in the headlines after a concerning story that they are implementing voluntary redundancies after enduring some financial difficulty. John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss the rugby news of the day.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A week after the conclusion of the Six Nations, the provinces returned to action. Bundee Aki headlined a statement win for Connacht over Ulster while Sam Prendergast and Leinster struggled away to Glasgow. A record defeat for Munster rounded off a tricky return to domestic action for the Irish sides. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Six Nations finished with a bang with Ireland’s Triple Crown win over Scotland and France’s thrilling escape act against England, a late affair that just denied Ireland the title. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through what we’ve learned from the tournament. From a dismal opening night in Paris to within touching distance of the title, how did Ireland trend in the right direction after a Six Nations that will live long in the memory.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heartbreak for Ireland as England’s late penalty concession and Thomas Ramos’ right boot cost Andy Farrell’s side a Six Nations title. Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns from the bowels of the Aviva Stadium to try and make sense of a Super Saturday which saw Ireland beat Scotland to the Triple Crown but just miss out on the overall crown.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Palmer, Scottish rugby correspondent at The Times, joins Nathan Johns to preview Ireland’s clash with Scotland. The winner takes home the Triple Crown and has a shot at the outright Six Nations title, pending the result between England and France later on Saturday evening. Mark tries to figure out if Scotland have a genuine chance at breaking an 11-match losing run to Ireland or if this is the latest example of Scottish hubris. How has Gregor Townsend turned around this campaign after an opening defeat in Rome was followed up by sensational wins over England and France? Are Ireland really there for the taking?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A sensational weekend of Six Nations action leaves us anticipating a bumper Super Saturday to decide the title. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through Ireland’s win over Wales, Scotland’s thumping of France and Italy’s historic victory over England. Scotland, France and Ireland are all mathematically in the hunt for the title, while the winner of Ireland vs Scotland will take home the Triple Crown. Might this finally be the weekend where Scotland, fresh off their stunning win over France, get over their Ireland hoodoo?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was a much-changed Ireland side from the one who performed heroics at Twickenham against England two weeks ago. And there was much to admire given their blistering start, but question marks too.And have Wales finally turned a corner after so long in the doldrums? They played like a rejuvenated team, organised and tenacious, and offering a real threat going forward at times.Ireland could only breathe easy with 77 minutes on the clock when Jack Crowley made it a ten-point game.Host Nathan Johns is joined by Irish Times Rugby Correspondent Gerry Thornley.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Farrell has made five changes to the starting XV ahead of Friday’s clash with Wales. Unusual, perhaps, to mix up a winning formula after a stunning day out at Twickenham. John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy join Nathan Johns to pick through what it all means. Have Ireland embraced more rotation in a slightly tweaked selection policy? What to expect of Wales, a banana skin or as downtrodden as ever?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Larner has, quite literally, written the book on data in rugby.In his recent publication, Attacking the Space: Inside rugby’s data and tactics revolution, Larner attempts to explain why the game looks the way it does in a manner accessible to the Irish fan. He joins Nathan Johns to explain why data shapes Ireland’s recent tactical evolution towards a kicking game, why putting boot to ball isn’t an inherently ugly thing, why Leinster changed their props so early in the game and how Munster have lost ’the best attack coach in the world.'Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone loved a crisis talk after Ireland U20s and Ireland XV lost on the same weekend the senior side struggled in Paris. Since then, though, the U20s have won back-to-back games, including an impressive display against England. After last year’s wooden spoon, has the age grade side turned a corner? Is talk of a misfiring talent pipeline misguided? John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to put us all straight.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many of you saw that coming? A record Irish victory in Twickenham was some way for Andy Farrell and co to change the narrative surrounding this side after a middling start to this year’s Six Nations campaign. Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns were all in London on Saturday and they link up once again to pick through how Ireland pulled off that performance. Plus, we look at how Ireland U20s managed a similarly impressive victory over their English counterparts in Bath on Friday night.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s team for the weekend is out with a big decision made at outhalf. Will the changes improve Ireland’s chances of securing an upset? What of England who have promoted Henry Pollock to the starting XV? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to preview Saturday’s clash.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland responded to their disappointment in Paris with a win over Italy. Albeit an unconvincing one. Did new faces in Andy Farrell’s team do enough to change the status selection quo? Did Ireland’s attack start to look like its old self? Does Scotland’s win offer any hope heading to Twickenham? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through some big selection decisions made by Andy Farrell ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy. Plus, John also takes his through his vision for how Ireland can bring more players through from U20 level to the senior side.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland suffer a heavy defeat to France while Italy are on a high following a win over Scotland. Does that make for a potential banana skin for Andy Farrel and Co this weekend? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss. Plus, we look at some of the wider tactical and skillset deficiencies plaguing Irish rugby. What can be done to stop the rot?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A difficult night for Ireland saw them lose heavily to France in Paris.Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley were at the Stade de France to pick through where it all went wrong.Was Ireland’s game plan exposed? What to make of selection or the decision to continually kick away possession? What positives, if any, can be gleamed from a second half fightback?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland have named their team for Thursday’s Six Nations opener. There are surprises, namely Jacob Stockdale in for James Lowe and Cian Prendergast starting at 6. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the key match ups. How will Ireland tactically overcome France’s Parisian challenge?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new head coach of the US team is an Irishman from Skerries. After winning a medal with the Canada Sevens team in Paris, Jack Hanratty has moved to America to coach Ilona Maher and Co. He joins host Nathan Johns to chart his journey from a Leinster development coach to boss of the US. Plus, with World cups heading stateside in 2031 and 2033, Jack gives his take on a question rugby has long sought to answer: can the sport make it in America?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s front-row injury crisis plummeted to a further low when Jack Boyle was carted off with an Achilles issue for Leinster against Connacht. Given the absentee list at loosehead, should he - alongside other Ireland Six Nations players - have been wrapped in cotton wool over the weekend? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss this along with Leinster’s victory over Connacht, Ulster’s defeat away to the Scarlets and Munster getting over the line vs the Dragons.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It’s squad week ahead of the upcoming Six Nations. Both the senior group, the squad selected in the second string and the U20s have all been revealed. Is Andy Farrell’s selection overly safe or a fair reflection of newer players pushing through? Who has been hard done by? Can anyone from the second string push their way into the upper ranks? And what of the U20s, who are looking to bounce back after a poor year? John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy join Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final European weekend for a while threw up plenty of intrigue. Munster are out of the Champions Cup, their latest love affair with Europe’s top tier proving to be a short lived one. Leinster once again won in difficult circumstances to ensure they are the lone Irish team flying the flag in the Champions Cup. Ulster and Connacht safely guaranteed their progression to the knockout stages of the Challenge Cup, where they will be joined by Munster. What did the latest round of provincial action mean for this week’s Ireland squad announcement ahead of the Six Nations? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss. Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through the rugby news of the day. The quality of the on-field product certainly improved during last weekend’s European action, a badly needed injection of life after some difficult outings for Irish sides in recent months. Meanwhile the rugby transfer story mill has picked up into overdrive while the All Blacks shocked the world with the decision to move on from their coach Scott Robertson. What to make of it all?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster get out of jail against La Rochelle while Munster fall in Toulon in the Champions Cup. Meanwhile Ulster are snowed off while Connacht let a late lead slip against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup. A weekend of entertaining rugby, but what did we learn, if anything, about Irish rugby’s trophy prospects this year?Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to review the weekend’s action.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

An ex-Ireland captain is now in charge of the rugby department at one of the country’s four provinces. Rory Best, Joe Schmidt’s on-field lieutenant towards the back end of the 2010s, is back in Irish rugby as general manager of his native Ulster. This is worth a deep dive in and of itself - what is a general manager? Why has Best gone into this role instead of coaching? Is he the Jason Wilcox to Ulster’s Ruben Amorim equivalent? - but add to that Ulster’s recent form and there is plenty to get into. Best only joined the province three months ago, so there is an element of him coming in on top of good work done previously, but he undoubtedly will have a role in shaping the continuing development of a recently struggling outfit which appears to have turned the corner. Best joins Nathan Johns to discuss his role, why he came back and if Ulster’s purple patch is a genuine revival for the northern province.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The end of the festive interpro season is nigh but that means Europe is back in focus as the provinces gear up for continental rugby once more. All while Andy Farrell ruminates on his Six Nations squad which is expected to be named in the coming weeks. Whose performances may have turned his eye after three weeks of Irish derbies? Will any of Ulster’s in-form youngsters prompt a shake-up? What to make of Leinster’s slow march to victory with performances that divide opinion? Have disappointing runs for Munster and Connacht had a negative impact on their players? Plus, which Irish provinces are actually worth paying into these days? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The now infamous 7-1 forward split on the bench hit the headlines last year when World Rugby announced they would not be outlawing the practice. The innovation, first used by South Africa and made more prominent by France in the 2025 Six Nations, is controversial in some quarters.While not quite at culture war levels, the use of extra forwards has prompted a strong rebuke, as either dangerous, against the spirit of the game, or both, from plenty of those involved in the game.One of those is Owen Doyle. A former international referee and current Irish Times columnist, he joins Nathan Johns to talk through World Rugby’s latest law development.Should the 7-1 split be outlawed, or is it simply a case of clever innovation, leaving the rest of the world to catch up?This episode originally aired in April 2025.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Christmas interpros have been and gone, Leinster and Ulster prevailing over Munster and Connacht respectively. Thomond Park was notable not so much for the quality of rugby but barbs which came off the pitch post-match. Leo Cullen and Simon Zebo were more than happy to jest with each other, while Tadhg Beirne added his name to the long list of players lamenting the game’s tactical direction of travel as teams such as Leinster continue to spurn attacking rugby. Meanwhile, Ulster showed their continuing ability to entertain while Connacht remain mired in a slump. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Inevitably, before their success in the United Rugby Championship last season, plenty of public commentary focused on Leinster’s inability to get over the line in big games. Clearly, they had the talent. Was the problem instead to be found in the top two inches?Enda McNulty, a former All-Ireland winner with Armagh, worked with both Leinster and Ireland as a sports psychologist.He joins Gordon D’Arcy - with whom he worked during his playing days - to look at the importance of sports psychology in winning environments. Does sport psychology work? How do you get players to buy in? Why did Leinster and Ireland under Joe Schmidt embrace training the mind so readily? To what extent can previous success be attributed to training the mind? This episode originally aired in May 2025.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Another week, another round of games featuring Irish provinces winning ugly. Leinster and Munster secured bonus point victories despite being far from their best. Are we being harsh by focusing overly on performances instead of bottom lines at this stage of the year? Ulster put it up to Leinster but succumbed to a lack of depth. Are they still trending in the right direction? And what to make of Connacht’s shambolic defeat to the Dragons in Newport? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Not for the first time this year, Welsh rugby is awash with speculation of the downfall of one of its clubs. The Ospreys, four-time winners of the URC in its various guises over the year, are the latest team which could be on the chopping block, according to various media reports. With high profile players leaving the club, word that owners are looking to jump ship and the CEO taking to his personal social media accounts to defend the club’s lack of talk offering clarity, there is plenty going on. Welsh rugby journalist Simon Thomas joins Nathan Johns to discuss the latest crisis engulfing Welsh rugby. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster won on their travels but looked far from convincing against Leicester. Munster also flattered to deceive albeit they got a winning bonus point at home to Gloucester. Ulster rotated their side with one eye on an interpro against Leinster and lost in the dying embers against Cardiff while Connacht won easily against Black Lion of Georgia. Should we be overly concerned about dicey performances at this stage of the season, or is winning all that matters this side of Christmas before the business end of the season? Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Leinster and Leicester squaring off in Europe this week, Jimmy Gopperth - a former outhalf for both sides - joins ex-teammate Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns. We look back at an interesting time in Leinster’s history, the years when they were coached by Matt O’Connor. We also chat about Irish rugby’s tactical evolution in the last 10 years, as well as the direction of travel of the sport more generally, given Gopperth’s experience playing for 10 different clubs across the world.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Round one of European action has been and gone as Leinster won in unconvincing fashion over an understrength Harlequins side, Munster fell away to Bath, Connacht lost to Ospreys and Ulster hammered Racing at home in Belfast. Are Leinster leaving it till too late in the season to kick into gear? Is Munster’s defeat terminal to their European ambitions? Were Ulster the only Irish province to actually impress across the opening weekend? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss all the action.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two years out from the World Cup, Ireland now know who they are playing after Wednesday’s draw. The fixture dates come next February as World Rugby look for spikes of ‘hype’, a tactic which divides the opinion of our panel. Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to look at Ireland’s draw and preview the upcoming European action. Leinster may well have a chance to blood a few newer faces due to injury, while Munster face a fascinating trip to take on old friend Johann van Graan in Bath. In the Challenge Cup, Ulster and Connacht will look to continue their strong league form against Racing and Ospreys respectively. We preview all the action as European matches return.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the November window, the IRFU released their financial accounts for the previous year. Inevitably, they were asked about rising ticket prices for games at the Aviva Stadium. Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley reported that the cost of a ticket has increased by 80 per cent in the past 12 years. Why does rugby charge more for the in-ground experience, compared to other sports? There’s a lot in this: the financial health of the sport, ticket vs TV revenue, how tickets are sold through clubs, the corporate nature of the audience and a new Nations League competition which is supposed otherwise boost broadcast income. Gerry joins The Counter Ruck to discuss it all.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

There have been postmortems aplenty on the state of Irish rugby after the November window. But what of the international window as a whole. Officiating is arguably a hot a topic as it ever has been - and not in a good way. Stylistically, law tweaks have more and more teams striving for efficiency and playing in similar styles, ones which are not always popular among the crowds. Whatever about results and Irish fortunes, as a spectacle, is international rugby still a good watch?Host Nathan Johns is joined by Irish Times ruby writer John O’Sullivan.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Saturday was shambolic. Chaotic. Insert your choice of adjective here. A rugby match took over 130 minutes to complete. Seven cards were handed out - one rescinded. Somewhere in between, South Africa bullied Ireland, Andy Farrell’s side ultimately doing well not to lose by a heavier margin. What to make of all the chaos, and of Ireland’s November window as a whole? John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy join Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

South Africa come to town this weekend with two World Cup winners’ medals in the back pocket of plenty of squad members. Yet one of the few frontiers this side under Rassie Erasmus has yet to cross is winning in Dublin. Daniel Gallan is a South African journalist for Rugbypass and the Guardian. He joins Nathan Johns to explain just how Rassie has done it for so long. How does he keep his players motivated? How does socio-economic and cultural realities back home play into the rugby psyche? Is to be a Springbok akin to following a cult?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland secured a record victory over Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies on a wet Saturday night at the Aviva Stadium. It was comfortably the best display of this November window from Andy Farrell’s side, but where does it leave them ahead of next week’s Springbok challenge? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan once again join Nathan Johns to discuss, amongst other things: Sam Prendergast’s impressive starting display; Ireland’s kicking supremacy; return of the Mack; Gibson-Park’s continuing excellence and Australia’s fall from grace.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After beating the Lions in the last Test and running them close in the series as a whole, Australia have gone downhill. They started this November window with a scare against Japan while last weekend saw a damaging defeat to Italy. Where did it all go wrong? Joe Schmidt is in the twilight of his tenure in charge, finishing up next July. After the Lions recovery but subsequent demise, how will his time with the Wallabies be remembered? Jonathan Drennan of the Sydney Morning Herald joins Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland 41 Japan 10: back on track after the Chicago disappointment or a worrying, laboured victory? Did Ireland get what they needed from returning players? Did newer faces step up? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to give their thoughts. Meanwhile over in Spain, Ireland’s second string impressed against the tier two nation. Can anyone from that group force their way into senior Irish reckoning any time soon?Produced by John Casey and JJ Vernon. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Two Irish sides take to the pitch on Saturday; Andy Farrell’s senior outfit takes on Japan before a second-string side play Spain. Plenty of interesting selection calls have been made, while a number of high-profile players - Caelan Doris included - return to starting roles. What are the storylines and performances to watch? Who needs a big display to keep their spot, and who might force their way into first choice reckoning?John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Where does Ireland’s defeat to the All Blacks leave them in world rugby’s hierarchy? After a solid if unspectacular opening hour, Ireland collapsed to a two-score defeat in the final quarter. The Irish kicking game brought plenty of joy, but New Zealand’s bench ultimately turned the contest. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the action from Ireland’s Chicago trip.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.