The Ruck

Owen Slot welcomes World Cup winners Lawrence Dallaglio, Michael Lynagh and Sarah Hunter to contextualize England’s crushing defeat of France. They discuss why England’s coaching team deserve praise and ask if the kicking game seen in recent weeks is a tactical innovation or a reintroduced old trick. PLUS why the current French management defies logic and do Italy need to justify their place in the tournament?  Finally Sarah Hunter rounds up the womens Six Nations so far. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones, Peter O'Reilly and Sarah Hunter to discuss a fantastic opening weekend in the Six Nations.They cover where the victory sits in great English performances, there is disagreement about the implications for the World Cup and do Ireland now face a repeat of England's meltdown campaign from last year? PLUS England captain Sarah Hunter guides us through the main talking points in the women's six nations and humble pie is on the menu as the panel pick their 'God of the Week'. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Stuart Barnes, Nick Cain and red top king Adam Hathaway to preview the greatest tournament in rugby.Peter O'Reilly explains the mood in the Irish camp and why this is the best Ireland team he's ever seen ahead of the the Six Nations.Also is this still the fan tournament? We review the vast cost of attending the matches before finishing with God or Goddess of the week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Nick Easter, Simon Halliday and Nigel Botherway to cover a wide range of topics.Nick Easter outlines the lure of coaching in South Africa. Plus the rule change which means teams can't relax in Europe, the key man for Saracens this year and why was Munster vs Exeter so engrossing?Looking ahead to the Six Nations what grade would the Eddie Jones era get, and is it a problem everyone now plays the same way? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

To coincide with Stuart Barnes' new book, Stephen Jones grills his old friend on his life in rugby. Including: why the book doesn't have a chronological structure, why a stag do fight with Jeremy Guscott's helped his career? How a fear of failure stifled chances with England and how he regrets the lack of sports phycology when he played the game. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Stuart Barnes, Mark Palmer and Martin Gillingham to focus on Scottish and French teams in Europe.There's also a preview of this weekend's Champions Cup action and a early look ahead to the Six Nations.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe, Al Dymock, and Mark Evans to discuss big issues off the field.Is the club breakaway threat credible and could relegation still be scrapped this season?On the field the Premiership continues to thrill but how high is the standard, has the quality of the English clubs been exposed in Europe? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot hosts Stephen Jones and Adam Hathaway to digest a remarkable week of rugby. First, Sam Peters joins the podcast to discuss his altercation with Sale Director of Rugby Steve Diamond and explains why he won't be making a formal complaint, and the panel consider the role of journalists in rugby. PLUS Has Alex Dombrandt's starring role usurped Chris Robshaw, was the alleged spitting incident resolved correctly, and who has the boldest prediction for 2019?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Steve James and Mark Evans for a festive special.Can the panel cope with Owen's quiz of the year, which are the best grounds on the planet and who from the rugby world would be invited to Christmas dinner? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes former England international Danielle Waterman, Sunday Times writer Sam Peters and Adam Hathaway.  The panel review the fourth pool round of the Champions Cup, reveal their Christmas wishes, name their best ever teams and debate the next steps for safety of the game after the tragic death of Nicolas Chauvin. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Steve James and Mark Evans to review another entertaining weekend of rugby in Europe.The panel debate: is the money so big in the Premiership and Top 14 big sides are focusing more domestically than on the Champions Cup, can the demise of Wasps and Leicester be explained by club culture, and how do the Welsh sides fight back?There's also a bizarre selection for the "God of the week". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Alex Lowe, Ben Ryan and Nick Easter. Ring-fencing looms. With so many teams in the relegation fight, will the Premiership scrap relegation, perhaps as early as this season or should they maintain the current structure? (starts at 24.23) PLUS Ben Ryan outlines problems with the RFU's coaching pathways comparing with other approaches around the world as Nick Easter details his experience in South Africa as a young coach and the panel debate the best way to develop backroom talent.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Al Dymock, Nigel Botherway and Owen Slot in the studio to take a look at the state of rugby worldwide. We assess the current state of England, Wales, Canada, Scotland and send a love letter to Fijian rugby. We talk about the complexities arising from the forthcoming rugby world cup and Olympics and ask is the Six Nations going to be one of the best in recent memory?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Michael Lynagh, Adam Hathaway and Stephen Jones to discuss another thrilling weekend of internationals.  The panel exalt Ireland's superb performance and unpack where the All Blacks go from here with Adam contrasting certainty with the Irish starting line up against the question marks against almost every English position. Owen and Stephen disagree whether England have made any progress since they "fell off a cliff" earlier in the year.Also Michael assesses Australia's horror season and why a good performance against England is key before the panel pick their 'God of the week'.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Was it a try or not, why didn't England take the points in the second half, what does a win over Australia win mean for Wales, and can Ireland beat the All Blacks?Alex Lowe welcomes Stuart Barnes, Paul Grayson and Dan Lyle to discuss all this and catch up with England Women's captain Sarah Hunter.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Stuart Barnes and Sarah Mockford to pour over the weekends Autumn Internationals.Including full analysis of South Africa's dreadful decision making, England's hopeless first half, and which side our panel would rather take to the World Cup.The other internationals are scrutinised before there are suggestions for changes against New Zealand. Finally England women's captain Sarah Hunter joins the studio to assess the forthcoming tests which are being hosted around the country.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones continues his conversation with former Wales captain and new Times columnist Sam Warburton in part two of this special episode.Sam candidly reveals his thoughts on the game including, why rugby will never be fully safe, why players should be limited to 25 starts a season and why mentally it's so tough to play all the way into July.  He also reveals how a Man Utd game helped him deal with social media pressure and why he's now relishing his role as pundit.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones sits down with former Wales captain Sam Warburton to discuss his life in rugby and how he’s coping without the routine and structure of the game.They also cover why England shouldn't panic, the guilt he felt whilst playing and how he rates the major nations ahead of the Autumn Internationals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PLUS plaudits for Newcastle and why the All Blacks are "sandbagging".Owen Slot welcomes Adam Hathaway, Al Dymock of Rugby World and Liam Napier from the New Zealand Herald.There's a review of the weekends European action, a full analysis of New Zealand from Liam, including the suggestion the All Blacks, are not implementing their full game plan for fear of showing their hand early. They also discuss Christian Wade's long odds of learning the "playbook mentality" as he departs for the NFL and there are predictions for England's back row for the internationals ahead. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Mark Evans, Sam Peters, Alex Lowe to discuss Freddie Burns' shocking error, the tackling laws of the game and to review the Heineken Champions Cup first round.Then a look at the proposals for Rugby's League of Nations before debate around Eddie Jones' latest England squad and another selection of The Ruck's "God of the week". Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Stuart Barnes, Chris Jones and Al Dymock. The panel look at the battle at the bottom of the Premiership with the top two seemingly in a class of their own. They also question the weaknesses with New Zealand after South Africa's performance and as the Heineken Champions Cup approaches, can anyone see beyond Leinster or Saracens?Finally after Billy Vunipola's sportsmanship at the weekend who else in rugby would own up to the referee? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This weekend Northampton face Leicester at Twickenham in aid of Rob Horne.In this special episode, Owen Slot meets Rob to discuss his life changing injury. The former Australian international speaks about choosing to adopt a positive outlook after his paralysis, how it was helpful he was never given false hope and despite chronic pain, how he's grateful to rugby rather than resentful.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alex Lowe and former World Cup winning player, Danielle Waterman.They cover the fallout from Bath resting players, whether defensive coaches need to do more to earn their money and is the Premiership too predictable at this stage of the season? There's a full review of the Premiership weekend before Dannielle expands on what professional contracts will mean for England's Women.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe welcomes Paul Grayson, Alan Dymock and Stephen Jones to debate the exclusion of Danny Cipriani, whether new defence coach John Mitchell is Eddie Jones' successor and was Leicester vs Worcester the game of the season?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

PLUSWas Will Spencer correctly sent off, is this the best ever start to a Premiership season, will Argentina be as formidable in 2019 as they were in 2015 and is there cause to ban "jackling" and bring back rucking? Stephen Jones welcomes Stuart Barnes, Steven James and Alex Lowe for a lively half hour of debate.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a Ruck Podcast special Owen Slot debates the big questions around safety in the game: is rugby is too dangerous, should my kids be playing rugby, what is tolerable risk, what could be done to make rugby safer, and if you tinker with the game, could you destroy it?He's joined on the panel by Alistair Hargreaves, former Saracens player who retired early after a string of concussions, Sam Peters, Sunday Times journalist, who has continually highlighted the dangers of concussion in rugby and Ross Tucker, sports scientist and consultant to World Rugby & RFU on this subject. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones and Adam Hathaway to review the opening week of the domestic season. They reflect on the superb occasion at Ashton Gate, suggest different teams as the stand out side from week one, before comprehensively reviewing every fixture, including troubling times for Bath.  Later the panel bemoan the lack of competition in the Pro 14 before analysing the amount youngsters are playing as teenagers before finishing with a brand new "God of the week".This podcast was recorded before Matt O’Connor left Leicester Tigers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ruck returns as Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alex Lowe and Alan Dymock.The panel comprehensively preview the new Premiership season and form agreement on the winners and who will be relegated. There's also a look ahead to the Pro 14, and whether France are stealing a march on England by playing their young players sooner in the Top 14. Finally there's disagreement about the biggest issue facing the game, a summer holiday round up and the vital selection of The Ruck's first "God of the week"  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Rugby World’s Alan Dymock hosts a podcast on a delicate subject: some rugby players’ struggles with alcohol misuse and addiction.Joined by Owen Slot and Alex Lowe, and aided by a host of telling interviews including Jason Robinson, the team pick through the issue and consider what help is and isn’t out there for athletes with these or similar mental health issues.Listen to one medic explain how some players struggling with addiction issues have been listed as having had a chronic injury instead and moved on to unsuspecting clubs. With medical examinations focused on the body and not the mind, should there be an embargo on moving on players who are struggling with drink or drugs? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded in Camps Bay, South Africa, Stephen Jones and Owen Slot conclude season two of The Ruck by reflecting on England's final test victory, their favourite moments of the tour and find out whether Stephen managed to keep both of his shoes this time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded in South Africa, Owen Slot and Stephen Jones dissect another chastening test for English rugby, assessing where the key problems lie. They point to Eddie Jones over complicating things in the England setup, the need to bring experienced players back to all positions and both have their say on the misconception the press is loving the English downturn. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded in Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa. Stephen Jones is joined by Owen Slot, Nick Cain and Stuart Barnes.The panel review an astonishing first test and ask why England still can't handle an increase of pace, how South Africa's pragmatic selection helped them enormously and what changes England have to make? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones speaks to Ben Ryan, coach of the Fiji 7's team who Olympic gold in Rio 2016.They cover the challenges of working in a different culture, how the RFU machine led Ben to become a "poor version of himself", why other teams were overtrained and too serious, how rugby is making mistakes other sports did 30 years ago and why he'd love to improve rugby in state schools. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Alex Lowe of The Times, Adam Hathaway from various tabloids and Duncan Bech from PA.The panel bring you incisive royal wedding analysis, before focusing on the strange timing of Paul Gustard's move to Harlequins, with England 15 months out from a World Cup what does it say about morale, does it reveal a vote of no confidence, and who should replace him?There's also a full review of the Premiership/Pro 14 and preview of the finals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alan Dymock and Peter O'Reilly. The panel review the Champions Cup final, discuss Danny Cipriani's move to Gloucester, preview of the semi-finals of the Pro 14 and Premiership before trying to make sense of Eddie Jones' England squad.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Adam Hathaway and Alex Lowe.Who will Eddie Jones pick as the tour attack coach, who makes Alex Lowe's Premiership team of the season and who will take home a coveted Ruck award? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes three titans from Women's rugby for a special extended episode: England's leading cap holder Rochelle Clark, Wasps Ladies coach, Giselle Mather and former England international, Catherine Spencer.They pay tribute to the retiring Danielle Waterman and assess her record for England. Then the impact of the Tyrrell's Premier 15's is debated as well as a full review of the final, also why it's time not money the game needs to progress to the next level and why referees need to be picked on merit alone. The panel finish the podcast by selecting the highs and lows of their careers.    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Sunday Times writer Chris Jones and former Harlequins, Saracens and Melbourne Storm boss, Mark Evans to discuss the week in rugby. They debate: Has the quality of the European club game decreased this season, are we seeing a French resurgence, is time finally up for Dylan Hartley and who should England take to South Africa? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes The Observer's Michael Aylwin and Rugby World's Alan Dymock.  The panel discuss: the top fifty young players to watch, the rules suiting rugby's image over safety. The 'boiling frog' problem with struggling Northampton and Harlequins and are English coaches struggling to take the step up to Director of Rugby?There's also a comprehensive preview for the European semi-finals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Owen Slot ls joined in the studio by Chris Jones (Evening Standard), Tom Hamilton (ESPN) and Stephen Jones (Sunday Times). We hear about some of the problems facing England’s top teams, talk about selection and wannabe new players. And Love is in the air.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is Joined by Al DImmock (Rugby World), Nick Cain (The Rugby Paper) and Adam Hathaway (The People, everywhere).We hear about Saracens, Fly-half targeting, the European Challenge Cup, the economics of the premiership, and ring fencing - are teams trying to pull the drawbridge up behind them? Should cities that are awarded major sporting events be prohibited from profiteering?  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Adam Hathaway, Sam Peters and Alex Lowe to discuss which players England should take to South Africa and who will progress from the European quarter finals.In the final section (26:11) the panel discuss the latest injury findings and whether rugby is shying away from a crisis.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe, Stuart Barnes and Al Dymock to answer who made the greatest step forward in the six nations, why Ireland will improve further and why Wales should be delighted by second place. Finally Al Dymock tries to explain the shambolic scenes at Belgium vs Spain as World Cup qualifying descended into farce. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe, Stuart Barnes and Al Dymock for an in-depth look into England's disastrous campaign and the major questions they now face.Including: has England's world cup chance already gone, why did performance levels drop so quickly and should Eddie Jones' position now be questioned? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Times rugby writer Steve James, editor of Rugby World, Sarah Mockford and world cup winner, Michael Lynagh. The panel discuss, who England need to change in the back row, whether all the problems lie there and if this England side has plateaued? There's also debate whether Eddie Jones should make sweeping changes with 5th place looming, if Owen Farrell needs to move to 10 and can they rescue their campaign and stop the Irish grand slam?Also analysed: where England go wrong at the breakdown, why Wales are quietly having an excellent tournament, why the Irish depth is their real strength and the finale of the Women's Six Nations tournament.   Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special episode Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot and ex-Harlequins CEO and Saracens boss, Mark Evans to cast an eye over Rugby's professional era.They discuss if the unions have too much power, the mass media effect, whether the Premiership is marketed correctly, should lessons should be learned from Australia and America, and if relegation needs abolishing in order to grow?Mark then presents his blueprint to improve the games standing and details his involvement with the stadium for Cornwall project. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes, SJA rugby writer of the year, Owen Slot and ex-Harlequins CEO and Saracens boss, Mark Evans to preview a crucial weekend.Can England strike back if the team is unchanged, are France a national joke, can Scotland improve even further, will Ireland's depth see them to a grand slam and would relegation and promotion for the tournament help or hinder a team like Georgia? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes the Rugby Paper's, Nick Caine, The Sunday Times, Nigel Botherway and red top favourite, Adam Hathaway.   They discuss the passion and precision of Scotland and where "flummoxed, static and poor" England go next, after being dominated. The panel also detail the changes they would make for England. Do Hartley, Brown and Robshaw survive? Or does the entire game plan need an overhaul? The rest of the weekend is reviewed and players of the weekend picked.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Recorded from England's training camp, Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times and Alex Spink from The Mirror. They discuss why the Calcutta Cup has been such a bore for decades, why Ireland suddenly look beatable and after post match turmoil, why France have gone backwards.There's also an exclusive interview with Dean Benton, Head of Sports Science for England Rugby, who describes the difference in culture when it comes to working with players. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Rugby World's, Al Dymock and The Observer's, Michael Aylwin to a special episode focusing on the future of the game.Will rugby turn into thirteen man game, can Georgia turn into a tier one side, will we need bigger pitches, can England win three out of the next world cups and will all performance enhancing drugs soon be legal?The panel also debate Stephen Jones' 6 Nations team of the week.Next week is a mailbag special email your questions to [email protected]. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.