The Ruck

Stephen Jones is joined by Owen Slot and Nigel Botherway for a review of the weekend's rugby and a special feature on the state of grass roots rugby. Also covered: the Premiership, Pro 12, who helped their Lions starting prospects and just how do you catch a fish double the size of Billy Vunipola? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Alex Lowe, Alan Dymock, and Adam Hathaway to discuss the week in rugby.On the agenda: A review of the European Semi-Finals and Saracens' seemingly unstoppable march to another European crown, the return of the drop goal and why the England squad still makes no sense 5 days on. There's also a review of Lions players performances and the Pro 12 weekend.Finally Stephen Jones praises the current state of refereeing. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With so much to talk about Owen Slot and Stephen Jones go head to head on the Lions, a 'bizarre' England squad, and the European ties at the weekendCovered in the Podcast: - Concern over the Lions preparation time- Will the squad split in two when the first team is picked?- How do you keep 41 players happy?- The surprises - both exclusions and inclusions- The Scotland issue, why tokenism, is worse than underrepresentation- Weakness at 12, the options are assessed- Astonishment over Eddie Jones' picks for Argentina and why he's got it wrong. - Predictions for a huge European weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Stuart Barnes, Owen Slot and Adam Hathaway to discuss the week in rugby and for the first two minutes, The Masters. In a packed podcast, the panel review the Premiership weekend, the Pro 12, and theres an appraisal of the proposed changes for Super Rugby. And with just 1 week until the Lions squad announcement, we hear who's played themselves into contention and who is faltering out of contention at the last. To close the panel choose their 'Sergio Garcia' Rugby moments as they focus on long waits and fairytale moments. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a packed podcast, Owen Slot is joined by Stephen Jones, Stuart Barnes and ESPN's Tom Hamilton to cover the week in rugby.On the agenda, Saracens' march to the double, double is unpicked as well as who might stop them, there's also debate over the state of the Welsh clubs and why Ireland haven't suffered the same lack of competitiveness. The Lions squad announcement is only two weeks away and once again the panel's picks have changed.And what would John Paul Sartre make of George Ford's final season at Bath? Stuart Barnes has the answer, in addition to everyone previewing a big weekend of premiership rugby, with the focus on Bath vs Leicester. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Nick Cain from the Rugby Paper,Al Dymock from Rugby World, and Adam Hathaway from 'various tabloids' as Stephen puts it. On the agenda this week: european quarter finals, the ever changing Lions picture, and the battle for rugby's heart at Newport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The big questions get answered this week:Did any side have a good tournament?Can anyone make a case for Hartley starting beyond loyalty?What would you give the tournament out of ten?Does Rob Howley deserve the abuse he gets?And who makes team of the tournament?This week Owen Slot is joined by Stephen Jones of The Sunday Times, Jonny Fordham of The Sun, and Steve James from The Times to answer all of the above before welcoming back club rugby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Stephen Jones welcomes The Times' Owen Slot, World Cup Winner Michael Lynagh and The Sunday Times' Peter O'Reilly.They discuss, England's purple patch and how it's been achieved, the problems with Super 18 rugby, why gloom as descended on Irish rugby so soon after the all blacks triumph and cover all the weekends action.All this plus the usual team of the week sparing and weekend highlights including jager bombs and awkward hugs. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Owen Slot welcomes Stephen Jones, Mark Souster and Mark Palmer to discuss England vs Scotland at a crucial stage of the 6 nations. They also pick their perfect alternative rugby destinations and debate the starting line up for the Lions tour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week SJA rugby journalist of the year Stephen Jones welcomes The Times' Owen Slot, Rugby World's Deputy Editor, Sarah Mockford and Simon Halliday, Chairman of EPCR. The panel refute the criticism of Italy's lack of rucking, instead pointing the finger at Eddie Jones's diversionary tactics. There's direct questioning of European rugby's current formats to the man in charge. The panel also consider: current TV coverage, their team of the week, and the state of play in women's 6 nations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week Owen Slot welcomes The Sunday Times's Stephen Jones, columnist Stuart Barnes, and founder of the Rugby Players' Association Damian Hopley. The panel discuss mental health in the game, showcasing the new 'lift the weight' initiative, as well as covering depression during and after a professional career. On the pitch there's a review of the Premiership action, plenty of forthright opinions on players sticking to their country in the light of Denny Solomona's form, they finish with 6 nations predictions. And there's a tribute to Dan Vickerman, who died this week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Sunday Times' Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot and Steve James from The Times and Jonny Fordham from The SunThis week:The writers pick the highlights of their week, there's full analysis on all six teams, including worrying times for Italy's tournament future.Owen Slot picks his team of the week and the other panelists helpfully pull it apart. All this and how the Lions picture changed. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After a dramatic start to the 6 nations, Owen Slot welcomes Stephen Jones from The Sunday Times and Alex Lowe from The Times, for a packed programme. The panel take you through their week in rugby, select the team of week one, debate George Ford's move to Leicester and predict the next round of matches. There's also a tribute to Joost van der Westhuizen Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones and Adam Jones for 45 minutes of lively, light hearted debate on the eve of the 6 nations tournament. In front of a packed audience the panel discuss the teams strengths, weaknesses and players to look out for, all interspersed with telling anecdotes and cutting insight. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new Rugby Podcast from The Times. Owen Slot is joined by Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones, and Adam Jones for a lively debate recorded in front of live audience. Episode One features a comprehensive preview to the Six Nations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.