The Counter Ruck

Episoder

• 
  As Leo Cullen prepares for his final season in charge, why haven't Leinster strengthened? 11.09.2026 33min

  John O'Sullivan joins Gordon D'Arcy and host Nathan Johns to discuss his recent chat with Leo Cullen as he heads into his final season as Leinster head coach.Several successors have been discussed on this podcast and elsewhere, but is there one potential candidate that could provide the continuity Leinster will need?And why have the province brought in so few new faces while their rivals have added squad depth?Plus, as New Zealand and South Africa head into the fourth and final test of their much-hyped 'Rugby's Greatest Rivalry' series, the panel mull over what they've learned a year out from the World Cup.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Why are New Zealand embarking on their own Lions tour? 07.08.2026 25min

  As world rugby moves away from multi match tours, instead preferring the nations championship, two of its biggest brands are going the other way. Ditching traditional southern hemisphere competitions, New Zealand are embarking on a lions style tour of South Africa. Is this good for the game or a shameless cash grab, two bigger nations going out on their own? South African journalist Daniel Gallan joins Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  The AFL comes for Irish rugby 31.07.2026 15min

  Noah Byrne, a member of the Irish U20s, recently opted to move to Aussie rules instead of taking a Leinster academy contract. Is a move like this, often seen in GAA circles, going to become more prevalent in rugby, or are we dealing with a fascinating one off?Produced by Andrew McNair and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Where do Ireland go from here? 21.07.2026 46min

  After defeat to the All Blacks wrapped up Ireland’s season, Nathan Johns, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan talk through Ireland’s ups and downs. Firmly ranked below the world’s top sides, where do Ireland go from here as they look to close the gap next season?How does the team balance its need to improve the attack with the personnel available? And what positions are looking stronger than others sixteen months out from the next World Cup?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Reaction: New Zealand ease to victory over Ireland 18.07.2026 18min

  What to make of Ireland’s 40-21 defeat to New Zealand on Saturday? A chastening, worrying performance or simply a fair reflection of Ireland’s place in the current global pecking order? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to analyse the final Ireland game of the season.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Underdog Ireland gear up for All Blacks test 17.07.2026 23min

  Nathan Johns and John O’Sullivan pick through Andy Farrell’s team selection ahead of this weekend’s clash with the All Blacks. Are Ireland deservedly underdogs or are we gearing up for another famous win on Kiwi soil?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Irish rugby's state of the union down under 14.07.2026 32min

  Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns on the line from Auckland to give his take on being at Ireland’s victory over Japan on Saturday. We also delve into David Humphreys’ media roundtable last week after the IRFU’s performance director discussed Munster’s Roger Randle U-turn, James Lowe’s departure and Leinster’s hunt for a new head coach.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Reaction: Ireland run in five tries as they beat Japan 11.07.2026 22min

  After a 36-20 victory over Japan, Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns analyse Ireland’s performance in their latest Nations Championship action.What debutants put in strong performances? Did established players take responsibility? And was there enough on show to generate optimism going into next week's clash with New Zealand?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  What to make of Ireland's rotation for Japan? 10.07.2026 29min

  Former Leinster and Scotland analyst Brett Igoe joins Nathan Johns to pick through the facts, figures and trends of last weekend’s Nations Championship action. We also look at Ireland’s heavily rotated team selection for this weekend in a bid to assess what Andy Farrell is looking for against Eddie Jones’ side.Produced by John Casey and Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Where do Ireland now stand in the Nations Championship? 07.07.2026 37min

  Fresh off Ireland’s victory over Australia in Sydney, Gerry Thornley dials in from Australia to discuss that win as well as the weekend of Nations Championship rugby as a whole with host Nathan Johns.What did we learn from the narrow win over the Wallabies? Are we likely to see many Irish debuts handed out over the three tests? And could Japan prove to be a potential banana skin given their wining display against Italy in their Nations Championship opener?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Reaction: Ireland squeeze home against Australia 04.07.2026 26min

  Ireland squeezed home against Australia after a Thomas Clarkson try and a missed kick from Ben Donaldson with the clock in the red. Was this a gutsy, narrow win on the road or a worryingly rusty start to their summer window? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Can Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies upset Ireland? 02.07.2026 24min

  Andy Farrell and Ireland begin their latest bloc of fixtures with a clash against Australia in Sydney. Jonathan Drennan of the Sydney Morning Herald joins Nathan Johns to discuss why Joe Schmidt is still in charge of the Wallabies, will they put out a better showing than what we saw in Dublin last November and why both teams have selected in the way that they have.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Ireland come up short against England in Under-20s World Championship 30.06.2026 30min

  Ireland U20s began their Under-20s World Championship campaign with defeat in Tbilisi, and it was déjà vu as Toulouse secured another Top14 title. It’s also the start of an Ireland test week as the build-up to a clash with Australia kicks into gear. Nathan johns discusses it all with Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Who to look out for in Ireland U20s at the World Cup 26.06.2026 24min

  No Irish senior rugby this weekend but Ireland U20s do get their World Cup campaign underway in Georgia on Saturday. John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through the players to keep an eye on and Ireland’s hopes while we also look back on the 10-year anniversary of the stellar Ireland group that both beat New Zealand and reached the U20s World Cup final.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Why is Leo Cullen leaving Leinster? 22.06.2026 17min

  Monday saw Leinster announce that Leo Cullen will leave the province once his contract expires at the end of next season. Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through why he’s going and who could replace Cullen atop the Leinster tree.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Leinster win back-to-back URC titles 19.06.2026 21min

  Reaction: Leinster outclass the Bulls to win URC crown Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns pick through Leinster’s URC final victory over the Bulls.After Champions Cup disappointment in Bilbao, Leo Cullen’s side have ended the year with silverware after a comprehensive victory over the South African outfit. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  What to make of Andy Farrell's Ireland squad to tour Australia and New Zealand 18.06.2026 41min

  Shorn of multiple players due to injury, Andy Farrell has named his group to tour Australia and New Zealand this summer. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through who is in and who might consider themselves unlucky. Plus, we build up to the URC final as Leinster and the Bulls name their teams for Friday night’s decider.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Why is James Lowe leaving Leinster? 12.06.2026 28min

  With confirmation arriving that James Lowe will leave Leinster, in theory ruling him out of Ireland’s World Cup bid next year, Irish Times rugby writer John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss how talks broke down. Why is Leinster’s record try scorer leaving despite, by all accounts, wanting to stay? Plus, we chat through Munster’s hire of Jared Payne instead of Roger Randle and the announcement of the Ireland U20s squad for their upcoming World Cup.Produced by John Casey.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Leinster into another final, but are their fans buying into their URC run? 09.06.2026 39min

  Leinster beat the Stormers on Saturday to secure another URC final appearance as they once again meet the Bulls in the final. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through the action, look at where Leo Cullen’s side just about had enough to work past the Cape Town outfit and how they might fare against another South African juggernaut. Plus, we look at excitement elsewhere with Glasgow blowing their lead and European champions Bordeaux crashing out of Top14 contention.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
• 
  Are Leinster being set up tactically for success? 05.06.2026 31min

  A number of narratives have emerged in an attempt to explain Leinster’s European malaise under the current coaching staff. Is Jacques Nienaber’s new system the problem or, rather, has he been given enough coaching power to truly take control? Are Leinster still a well coached team or are they tactically behind the curve given the way the game is being played at the moment? Analyst Sam Larner joins Nathan Johns to cut through all the headlines and figure out what is actually going on in Leinster HQ.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.