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The Ruck

The Ruck

The rugby podcast from The Times and The Sunday Times

The Times · Reynolds Alfie

569 episodesEN

Show overview

The Ruck has been publishing since 2017, and across the 9 years since has built a catalogue of 569 episodes. That works out to roughly 420 hours of audio in total. Releases follow a weekly cadence, with the show now in its 20th season.

Episodes typically run thirty-five to sixty minutes — most land between 37 min and 52 min — though episode length varies meaningfully from one episode to the next. It is catalogued as a EN-language Sports show.

The show is actively publishing — the most recent episode landed 1 months ago, with 37 episodes already out so far this year. The busiest year was 2025, with 88 episodes published. Published by Reynolds Alfie.

Episodes
569
Running
2017–2026 · 9y
Median length
44 min
Cadence
Weekly

From the publisher

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.

Latest Episodes

View all 569 episodes

Northampton Saints beat Exeter Chiefs in compelling final

Jun 20, 202638 min

Can Exeter upset Saints to win the Prem?

Jun 18, 202642 min

Prem semi-final drama! Why didn't Bath kick a drop goal?

Jun 14, 202650 min

Are these the most evenly matched Prem semi-finals ever?

Jun 8, 202647 min

Who will qualify for the play-offs!?

Jun 1, 202653 min

French dominance in Europe! Bordeaux hammer Leinster

May 23, 202637 min

Should Van Rensburg be in the England squad?

May 18, 20261h 4m

Why did the RFU back Borthwick?

May 11, 202659 min

Brilliant Bordeaux, but Bath bemused. Was French TV to blame?

May 4, 202651 min

BONUS: Can rugby survive its brain injury problem?

Apr 30, 202647 min

British & Irish Lions tour to France: No-brainer or an erosion of history?

Apr 27, 202659 min

Do the Prem's blowouts challenge its franchise future?

Apr 20, 20261h 0m

England v France: which Champions Cup quarter-final was better?

Apr 13, 202639 min

Are Toulouse and Bordeaux the greatest club sides in the world?

Apr 6, 202652 min

Parling's push: love it or hate it?

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 was the head coach right or wrong? And, does it summarise rugby's battle between traditionalists and those trying to modernise the game?They also ask whether neutral semi-finals would be a good thing or damaging to the jeopardy in the season.Castres tight-head prop, and Times columnist, Will Collier joins the boys to look ahead to the Champions Cup last-16. How important is an away win this weekend for the competition? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 30, 202653 min

Can Dyson's dosh build a dynasty at Bath?

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 league?Alfie Reynolds is joined by Alex Lowe, Charlie Morgan and Will Kelleher to answer all those questions and chat about the return of the Prem. With Saracens' defeat is it now 5 teams vying for a spot in the top 4? Why are Harlequins lacking such an identity? And, was Chris Boyd at The Stoop having started in his new role with Gloucester? 'Detective Charlie' has the answer.Plus, Will interviews Gloucester and England centre Seb Atkinson.***Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 23, 20261h 0m

An all-time great 6 Nations produces an ending for the ages

The 2026 6 Nations is over!One of the great championships went down to the final kick of the final match. Thomas Ramos knocked over a penalty to break English hearts and deny Ireland the title.The morning after the events in Paris, Alex Lowe, Charlie Morgan and Will Kelleher join Alfie Reynolds to look back on an incredible finale and the tournament as a whole.Where on earth has that England performance been? Does it soften the blow of England's worst ever 6 Nations campaign?France are the champions but did they limp over the finish line? Did Scotland have a successful campaign or should they be disappointed by not winning four matches? And how significant a moment was Wales' win against Italy on the final weekend? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 15, 20261h 2m

And then there were three…Is there one last Six Nations shock?

Super Saturday is almost here as the 2026 6 Nations reaches its conclusion.Who will win the title as France, Scotland and Ireland are all in the running?In a championship that has had plenty of twists and turns, will there be another shock on the final weekend?Alfie, Will and Alex are outside a Parisian cafe to look ahead to the weekend. They dive deep into England's struggles by tackling a mountain of listener questions and explaining what has gone wrong for Steve Borthwick's side. Will he remain as the head coach? Will they stick to the kick heavy gameplan? And, is Lee Blackett having any impact as attack coach?Plus, who will win between Ireland and Scotland in Dublin? The winners will go to the top of the table ahead of France v England. And, can Wales win in the 6 Nations for the first time in three years or will Italy win to have their best ever championship?***Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 12, 202647 min

Historic weekend leaves three nations in the running

What a weekend of 6 Nations action!Italy recorded their first-ever win against England, Scotland produced one of their best performances to put 50 points on France and Wales continued their revival in defeat to Ireland.Alfie, Elgan and Charlie look back on all the action and ask where this weekend ranks all-time in 6 Nations history?They also discuss what makes Scotland so impressive after their victory gives them a shot at the title on Super Saturday? How damaging was the defeat for France and what does it mean that they will miss out on a Grand Slam for the second year running? Plus, how will England regroup after their defeat in Rome?***Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 9, 202654 min

England's 6 Nations in ruins after their first-ever defeat to Italy

England have lost to Italy for the first time!Following a historic day in Rome, Alfie Reynolds and Will Kelleher are in the Stadio Olympico to unpack an incredible occasion and hugely damaging England defeat.What does the future hold for Steve Borthwick? Can he continue as England head coach? How can a team that won 12 matches in a row suddenly look so lost?They also heap praise on Italy and discuss why this is a significant moment for Italian rugby and the 6 Nations as a whole.***Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mar 7, 202632 min
The Times