The Ruck

The only rugby podcast actually on tour in South Africa continues its intrepid trek as Owen Slot and Stephen Jones review the Lions loss against South Africa A whilst local journalist Brenden Nel casts his eye over the Springboks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ruck's tour of South Africa moves from the high veldt to the coast as the Lions prepare for their toughest match of the trip to date against South Africa A. Alex Lowe, Stuart Barnes and our intrepid tourists Owen Slot and Stephen Jones discuss the victory against the Sharks (again), a call-up for Marcus Smith and Covid chaos in the Springbok camp. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ruck has arrived on tour as Stephen Jones leads from the front in Johannesburg, where he's joined by rugby photographer Dave Rogers and Jonny Fordham of The Sun. They discuss a chaotic start to the trip, Covid outbreaks in the camp and who's caught the selectors' eye so far on tour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe is joined by Owen Slot, Stuart Barnes and rugby broadcaster Ali Eykyn to discuss the British & Irish Lions' first tour match in South Africa as well as England's victory at Twickenham against the USA. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Alex Lowe and Owen Slot as well as former Harlequins CEO Mark Evans and Michael Lynagh, who watched his son Louis score twice in the Gallagher Premiership Final. Plus, the latest on the Lions, who landed in South Africa to news of a Tier 4 lockdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Owen Slot and Adam Hathaway to discuss Harlequins' great escape at Ashton Gate, the latest crop of players called up by Eddie Jones, what the Lions might look like against Japan as well as preview the Premiership Final. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alan Dymock speaks to Nate Ebner, a three-time NFL Super Bowl winner with the New England Patriots, who began his career as a promising rugby player and has returned to the sport to compete at the Tokyo Olympics for the USA sevens team. Ebner is also a co-owner of a Major League Rugby franchise and discusses the pathway between rugby and American Football plus the similarities (or otherwise) between the sports. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stuart Barnes, Owen Slot and Stephen Jones to review the final weekend of the Gallagher Premiership regular season, Saracens putting a cricket score on Ealing and Eddie Jones surprising everyone by picking players on form...To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe, Lawrence Dallaglio and Stephen Jones are joined by Wasps and England star Jack Willis to discuss miracle comebacks in Brentford, touchline spats at Welford Road and who should make the England squad for the summer Tests. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones, Owen Slot and Adam Hathaway celebrate a first Premier 15s title for Harlequins Women, get the lowdown on the latest Covid issues in South Africa ahead of the Lions tour and polish their crystal balls now we know who has qualified for the Gallagher Premiership semi-finals. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot and Chris Jones are joined by former France international and TV pundit Benjamin Kayser to discuss double European success for the French clubs at Twickenham, the state of the game on the other side of the Channel and whether a hybrid form of amateurism could be rugby's future. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones and Lawrence Dallaglio are joined by Lions legends John Taylor and David Duckham to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 1971 tour victory in New Zealand. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and former BBC rugby presenter and current RFU committee member John Inverdale to discuss an astonishing weekend in the Premiership, England's potential future at half-back and that stamp from Mike Brown. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Warren Gatland announced his 37-player squad for the Lions Tour of South Africa, The Times team of Stephen Jones, Owen Slot, Alex Lowe and Stuart Barnes give their verdict. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is chairman of selectors as Lawrence Dallaglio, Alex Lowe and Peter O'Reilly pick their definitive Lions squad ahead of Warren Gatland's official announcement on Thursday. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Stuart Barnes and Alex Lowe to discuss England's victory in the Women's Six Nations Final, the RFU's Eddie Jones review, the disappearance of Darren Childs at Premiership Rugby plus all the latest action as a potential Lions squad starts to take shape. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stephen Jones, Adam Hathaway and England scrum half Leanne Riley to discuss the latest on the Lions Tour, preview the final weekend of the Women's Six Nations and assess how the play-off positions will shake down in the Gallagher Premiership. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Stephen Jones, Chris Jones and TV commentator and French rugby expert Martin Gillingham to review the Champions Cup quarter-finals, Saracens' progress in the Championship, the latest on the Lions coaching staff as well as the Women's Six Nations. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Stuart Barnes and Rugby World Editor, Sarah Mockford, to discuss France's dominance of the European Champions Cup last sixteen and the start of the Women's Six Nations. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot, Alex Lowe and Mark Evans for the final word on this year's Six Nations Championship as well as England's review into Eddie Jones, what new World Rugby funding means for the Pacific Islands plus a preview of the knockout rounds in Europe and the Women's Six Nations. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Sam Warburton, Lawrence Dallaglio and Stephen Jones as the Six Nations comes to a close (well, nearly). Will England axe Eddie Jones, how did Wales get so close to a Grand Slam and who makes the team's Lions XV on the basis of this year's Championship? To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stephen Jones, Alex Lowe and Owen Slot to discuss England's return to form against France, Wales' march towards the Grand Slam, the latest on the Lions' rogue schedule and a year of recording podcasts via Zoom... To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Rachael Burford, England and Harlequins star as well as the new Head of Women's Rugby for the IRP, to discuss all the issues surrounding the women's game - including the postponement of the Rugby World Cup, the growth of the Premier 15s and the scourge of social media. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones and AFP rugby correspondent Illtud Dafydd to discuss Eddie Jones' strange stance on (not) picking players on form, how France have gotten away with their bio bubble breaches and the latest on the Lions as the government dithers on its offer of insurance. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe is joined by Sam Warburton, Lawrence Dallaglio and Owen Slot for the post-mortem on England's display against Wales in Cardiff. Plus, should France forfeit their fixture against Scotland given fresh revelations over Covid breaches? To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this special bonus edition we are bringing you an episode from another Times podcast - Past Imperfect.Nigel Owens MBE became the first referee to take charge of 100 Rugby Union international games before his retirement last autumn. He joined Rachel Sylvester and Alice Thomson from his farm in Wales, where he opened up about coming to terms with his sexuality, the devastating impact it had on his mental health, and how rugby saved him after he tried to take his own life.Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/pastimperfectStonewall: www.stonewall.org.ukSamaritans: www.samaritans.orgWelsh Rugby Charitable Trust: www.wrct.co.uk Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio digests all the latest news from the Six Nations as well as a record raft of red cards in the Gallagher Premiership. Plus, Stephen Jones is joined by Susie Appleby and Rosie Galligan as we get to the business end of the women's domestic season. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Stephen Jones and Alex Lowe after the latest round of Six Nations matches. Is it time to outlaw the crocodile roll following Jack Willis' horror injury? Plus, the panel ask if Premiership Rugby is right to rule out relegation for the foreseeable future. Enjoy more rugby insight and analysis throughout the season with The Times and The Sunday Times. Get a subscription today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A bonus episode this week - The Times daily podcast Stories of our times spoke to Owen Slot as the annual Six Nations tournament got underway last weekend. Recent high profile lawsuits filed against rugby union’s governing bodies from ex-professionals have cast a shadow over the game. Is the sport facing a crisis that could see parents stop their children from playing it? This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today and get one month free at: thetimes.co.uk/storiesofourtimes. Guest: Owen Slot, The Times' chief rugby correspondent. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Owen Slot, Alex Lowe, Stuart Barnes and Sunday Times Scottish rugby correspondent Mark Palmer to discuss a famous victory for Gregor Townsend's team at Twickenham as well as the rest of the opening weekend of the Six Nations. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Alex Lowe, Owen Slot and former Wales and Lions captain Sam Warburton to preview the Six Nations. Find out why the greatest living Welshman is tipping England to win and whether it's time to say arrivederci to Italy. Enjoy more rugby insight and analysis throughout the season with The Times and The Sunday Times. Get a subscription today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Owen Slot, Lawrence Dallaglio, Sarah Hunter and Elinor Snowsill to discuss some surprises in Eddie Jones' England squad, the latest on the Lions, what it means to move the Women's Six Nations to later in the year and the #Icare campaign. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subscription to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stephen Jones, Alex Lowe and Owen Slot as ringfencing returns to the top of Premiership Rugby's agenda. What next for clubs in the Championship, how will the rest of the European season play out and when can we expect a decision on the Lions tour? To enjoy more of our award-winning sports' journalism, get a digital subsctiption to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe is joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Alan Dymock to discuss the latest threats to the European season, whether Harry Randall should opt for Wales or England and what rugby can learn from spandex-wearing world of professional wrestling. To enjoy more of our award-winning sports journalism, get a digital subsctiption to The Times and The Sunday Times today and get one month free. Go to thetimes.co.uk/theruck for more details. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stephen Jones, Alex Lowe and Adam Hathaway for the first Ruck of the New Year. The panel call for a delay to the Lions tour to 2022 and a switch to a summer Six Nations. Enjoy more rugby insight and analysis throughout the season with The Times and The Sunday Times. Get a subscription today and get one month free - thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot asks the questions as Stephen Jones and Alex Lowe battle it out in The Ruck's review of the rugby year. Plus, the panel reveal their bolters for the Lions squad, their Rugby God of 2020 and what they got for Christmas. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Stuart Barnes, Chris Jones and Lawrence Dallaglio to discuss the brilliance of Bristol, marvellous Munster and a rampant Racing 92 on another intriguing weekend of action in the Heineken Champions Cup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Stephen Jones and Sam Peters to discuss the plight of former players, including Rugby World Cup winner Steve Thompson, following their diagnosis with early-onset dementia Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Alex Lowe to examine the aftermath of England's less-than-convincing victory over France in the Autumn Nations Cup final and ask if Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg may soon be added to the list of European away days Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe is joined by Ben Ryan and Lawrence Dallaglio to work out how rugby can save itself as the Autumn Nations Cup reaches its anti-climax. Plus, Illtud Dafydd from the AFP in Paris explains why a French 3rd XV will be playing at Twickenham on Sunday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Stuart Barnes and Steve James to review the weekend's Autumn Nations Cup action as well as the start of the new Premiership season. Plus, the team look ahead to Saturday's clash between Wales and England Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Stephen Jones and Peter O'Reilly to discuss the opening weekend of the Autumn Nations Cup as well as Argentina's historic win against the All Black. Plus, Jonesie chats to former Wasps and Samoa star Dan Leo about his new film, Oceans Apart. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Alex Lowe, Adam Hathaway and Lawrence Dallaglio, who surprised the panel by admitting his new-found love for the French. Plus, the RFU's Terry Burwell explains the latest on the community game's plans post-lockdown. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stuart Barnes and Owen Slot as England's men and women win the Six Nations at the end of the longest season ever endured. But was the style and selection of Eddie Jones' side enough to inspire the panel? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Chris Jones and Alex Lowe to celebrate Exeter's double, preview the end of the Six Nations and ask how Eddie Jones can ignore the Simmonds brothers. Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Having watched Exeter Chiefs and Bristol Bears conquer Europe, Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stephen Jones, Alex Lowe and Alan Dymock to look ahead to the Gallagher Premiership final. Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Stuart Barnes and Alex Lowe to discuss the Premiership play-offs, preview the Champions Cup final and pick The Ruck Premiership Team of the Season. Get The Times free for a month: thetimes.co.uk/theruck Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stephen Jones as well as Fleet Street's finest Chris Jones and Adam Hathaway. The panel try to piece together a shambolic end to the Premiership season and rate Eddie Jones' first squad of the autumn Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stephen Jones and Owen Slot as they discuss the prospect of a future without fans and what that means for the professional game, fine wins for Exeter and Bristol in Europe and a fond farewell for Chris Robshaw at the Stoop Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Stuart Barnes, Alex Lowe and Owen Slot to discuss the likely winners of the European semi-finals, Timon of Athens' dodgy hamstring and Stuart launches a campaign to let Saracens defend their title if they win the Champions Cup Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.