The Ruck

Alex Lowe is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and Stephen Jones as they discuss the latest in the race for the play-off places, pay cuts for England players, the European quarter-finals and who should replace Matt Dawson on Question of Sport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot and Alex Lowe as they work out how long Owen Farrell will be banned for, ask what supporters made of the new normal at The Stoop and reveal some exclusive news about England's autumn internationals Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot speaks to former England captain Dylan Hartley about his new book, The Hurt, how rugby's 'big boys don't cry' mentality is killing the game and why training ground injuries are the biggest threat to player welfare the sport is facing Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones, Lawrence Dallaglio and Chris Jones discuss squad rotation, Wasps winning at Bath, Exeter winning everywhere, fans returning to the Stoop and the prospect of South Africa's Super Rugby sides joining the Pro 14 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio, Stephen Jones and Adam Hathaway take a break in between the weekend and midweek fixtures to assess who's come flying out of the blocks and who's fallen at the first hurdle as Operation Restart continues in the Premiership and Pro 14 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones, Owen Slot and Stuart Barnes look back at the first live action for five months following rugby's return. Whilst a lot of teams were off the pace, the panel were impressed by some outstanding young English talent on display Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On the eve of rugby's return, Stephen Jones is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and Alex Lowe to look ahead to the first round of Premiership matches for five months. Who will thrive playing summer rugby and which teams have had a good lockdown? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the week of rugby's long-awaited return, Owen Slot sits down (virtually) with three of the Directors of Rugby taking on Exeter for the Gallagher Premiership title - Pat Lam of Bristol Bears, Sale's Steve Diamond and Chris Boyd of Northampton Saints Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ruck reacts to the latest news on the changes being made by the RFU to the community game. Plus, Owen Slot, Stuart Barnes, Alex Lowe and Lawrence Dallaglio give their views on the Eight Nation "Cosmetic Cup" and Exeter axing the Big Chief Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special edition of The Ruck, Alex Lowe speaks to Wasps' rising star Jacob Umaga, Owen Slot finds out how the West Country's treating Ben Earl and Max Malins while Lawrence Dallaglio discovers if there's life after Leicester for Guy Thompson. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Ruck regulars Stephen Jones and Alex Lowe as they discuss the fallout from a 52-week season, Eddie Jones' pleas for less "finishers" and the continued crisis in Fijian rugby Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stephen Jones, Alex Lowe and Owen Slot. Find out what the panel make of midweek rugby and why they think Manu Tuilagi leaving Leicester is fantastic business... for Leicester Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Rugby Player Association chairman Mark Lambert, Wasps chief executive Stephen Vaughan and leading rugby administrator Mark Evans to discuss the impact of coronavirus and explore what happens next to the sport Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A special edition of the pod recorded live as part of the Virtual Rugby Show. Stuart Barnes hosts alongside Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and Alex Lowe Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Alan Dymock as they discuss the latest developments around Project Restart, ponder whether singing 'Swing Low' should be banned and celebrate a big birthday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's back! Stephen Jones is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Stuart Barnes and Alex Lowe after rugby returned in New Zealand at the weekend. Plus, the Premiership's civil war with the players and plans for a new global calendar Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot and Alex Lowe to celebrate rugby's return to training in the Premiership and actual playing in New Zealand. They also discuss the salary cap and Sam Burgess' beef with the Ford family Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe catches up with the England and Bath winger, Joe Cokanasiga, who discusses recovering from the knee injury which dogged his World Cup, coping with family trauma during lockdown and an unusual start to his sporting career Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Stuart Barnes, Owen Slot and Lawrence Dallaglio. The panel wonder when the rugby season will restart (if at all) following the latest Government guidelines on training Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot and Alex Lowe as they discuss the fallout from Lord Myners' salary cap review, more pay cuts for players as part of Operation Restart and why Gloucester are on the hunt for a new head coach Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Ruck heads to the heart of the England coaching set-up (virtually speaking) with Lawrence Dallaglio chatting to defence coach, John Mitchell, while Owen Slot catches up with Matt Proudfoot, Eddie Jones' new forwards coach Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot is joined by Mark Evans, Stephen Jones and Lawrence Dallaglio to discuss the repercussions of Bill Beaumont's re-election as Chairman of World Rugby. Plus, the panel debate The Times & Sunday Times list of Top 10 Players in the World Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Introducing our new free daily news podcast, Stories of our times. It takes you to the heart of the stories that matter, with exclusive access and reporting. Published for the start of your day, it is hosted by Manveen Rana and David Aaronovitch.Cheltenham Festival was the last major sporting event to take place prior to the national lockdown in the UK. But should it ever have happened? The four-day fixture took place in March and has since become a lightning rod for criticism around perceived government inaction on the coronavirus crisis. We talk to people who were there. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stuart Barnes, Alex Lowe and Stephen Jones as they discuss the latest problems for the Premiership, defend European rugby and give their lockdown lowdown on the best books and films to keep you entertained Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot turns quiz-master as he tests Ruck regulars Alex Lowe, Stephen Jones and Lawrence Dallaglio on their rugby knowledge as well as discussing the timetable for a possible finish to the Premiership season Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio finds out what lockdown life is like for Leicester legend Ben Youngs. The England scrum half discusses Eddie Jones' new contract, being stuck on 99 caps and the challenges of keeping in shape whilst home schooling two toddlers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is in conversation with Damian Hopley, the chief executive of the Rugby Players' Association. They discuss the difficulties caused by the current lockdown and the pressure on players when they eventually do return. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined remotely by Stephen Jones and Owen Slot as they discuss a new contract for Eddie Jones, World Rugby's plans for a Club World Cup and how much Slotty's missing the pub Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Mark Evans, Lawrence Dallaglio and Owen Slot to discuss when we're likely to see rugby return and what shape the sport might be in when it does. Plus, find out which member of The Ruck team has a Pink Panther ringtone... Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and Stephen Jones dial in from different parts of the country as they discuss eggs, what 16-year-olds get up to in self-isolation and pick their Lions squad for next year's tour of South Africa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With the sport suspended during the worsening coronavirus situation, Owen Slot is joined at a safe distance by Stephen Jones and Lawrence Dallaglio to discuss what rugby should do to combat the crisis Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and Alex Lowe get down and dirty on Joe Marler, the future of Eddie Jones, propping pugilists and coronavirus cancellations following the fourth round of this year's Six Nations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe takes us through the big, breaking rugby news of the weekend with the help of Stephen Jones, Stuart Barnes and Nigel Botherway. TV rights, the coronavirus, law changes and mid-season transfers all feature, as well as some actual rugby Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the finals episode of our special Six Nations series, Owen Slot meets John Rutherford, the fly-half who guided Scotland to the Grand Slam in 1984 - only their second-ever clean sweep and the first in 59 years Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by Lawrence Dallaglio, Alex Lowe and Stuart Barnes to discuss wins for England, France and Scotland in the Six Nations. Plus, find out why the panel think Maro Itoje should be leading the Lions as well as his country Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the latest installment of our new Six Nations series, Owen Slot meets Adam Jones, the legendary Welsh prop who helped his country win three Grand Slams. But what inspired a young All Blacks supporter to become one of Wales' all-time greats? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio and Stephen Jones offer sympathy to Owen Slot after his ski holiday was rudely interrupted by news of funding cuts in the Championship and coaching cuts at Wasps. The team also look ahead to an intriguing weekend in the Six Nations Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the second part of our special Six Nations series, Owen Slot speaks to Will Carling - a man who captained his country to three Grand Slams during England's golden era of the early 1990s Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is on his lonesome with the rest of The Ruck team scattered around the country trying to get from Edinburgh. But that doesn't stop Owen Slot and Stephen Jones helping him to discuss Storm Ciara, beer bottles, sausages and even some Six Nations rugby. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the first of a special Six Nations series, Brian O'Driscoll talks to Owen Slot about Ireland's 2009 Grand Slam success. The former captain is open and honest about what held him and the team back for a decade before finally completing the clean sweep Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Stuart Barnes reflect on defeat for England in Paris in the Six Nations and discuss how the RFU let Shaun Edwards get away. Plus, Alasdair Reid on a stuttering start for the Scots against Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones is joined by England star Marlie Packer, former England captain Catherine Spencer and Wasps Ladies Director of Rugby Giselle Mather to preview this year's Women's Six Nations and discuss wider issues within the sport. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Times experts Owen Slot, Alex Lowe, Peter O'Reilly and Alasdair Reid to look ahead to the Six Nations. Plus, Kyle Sinckler's move to Bristol Bears and do Marcus Smith and Alex Dombrandt deserve an England call-up? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot and Alex Lowe at the England Six Nations squad announcement as well as rugby commentators Alastair Eykyn and Martin Gillingham to discuss relegation for Saracens and Eddie Jones' new "No No.8" policy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot, Lawrence Dallaglio, Stuart Barnes and Alex Lowe review the latest action in Europe, discuss the likely quarter-final line-up and look ahead to Eddie Jones' Six Nations squad. Could England really play a flanker at No.9? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot and former Saracens Director of Rugby, Mark Evans, to discuss the latest comings and goings down Hendon Way. Will there be departures from the playing squad? And what do Premiership Rugby need to do next? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In a special festive edition, Owen Slot is joined by Stephen Jones, Stuart Barnes and Alex Lowe to pick a Team of the Decade, nominate their Rugby God of 2019 and make some New Year predictions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe, Stephen Jones, Adam Hathaway and Mike Aylwin join forces for the 2019 Ruck Christmas Party. They discuss the battle at the bottom of the Gallagher Premiership and ask if everyone is too good to go down this year, after World Rugby announced it will be reviewing salary cap rules we ask which sport can rugby borrow a leaf from, and we look ahead to what we would like to see from the game in the new year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones, Owen Slot, Stuart Barnes and Alex Lowe discuss the set-to between Saracens and Munster, wonder why some English clubs have been slacking in Europe and ask where next for Rob Howley following his betting ban. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and Stuart Barnes discuss the weekend's European action, decide who have been the players of the tournament so far and ask if the Lions have got it right with their schedule for South Africa Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.