The Counter Ruck

Rugby is experiencing a wave of positivity after the recent Six Nations. We saw a record number of tries scored in the competition as attacking rugby was on full display. Does this mean we are living through a positive upswing in the state of the game as an entertainment product? Why are teams better at scoring now than in the best? Given the sport cycles through negativity around kicking and entertainment value, are we living through the sport’s good old days? Rugby analyst Sam Larner joins Nathan Johns to pick through the trends that explain why so many tries are being scored. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With word on Ireland eyeing up an Australian rugby prospect, Nathan johns and Gordon D’Arcy look at Ireland’s prop development pathway. Plus, how did Jamie Osborne look back in the centre following a Six Nations campaign at 15? How did Munster improve on a difficult South African tour? How are the provinces shaping up for a return to Europe? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Plenty of rugby news warrants further discussion as a thrilling conclusion to the Leinster Schools Cup warranted a replay. Munster are also in the headlines after a concerning story that they are implementing voluntary redundancies after enduring some financial difficulty. John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss the rugby news of the day. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A week after the conclusion of the Six Nations, the provinces returned to action. Bundee Aki headlined a statement win for Connacht over Ulster while Sam Prendergast and Leinster struggled away to Glasgow. A record defeat for Munster rounded off a tricky return to domestic action for the Irish sides. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Six Nations finished with a bang with Ireland’s Triple Crown win over Scotland and France’s thrilling escape act against England, a late affair that just denied Ireland the title. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through what we’ve learned from the tournament. From a dismal opening night in Paris to within touching distance of the title, how did Ireland trend in the right direction after a Six Nations that will live long in the memory. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Heartbreak for Ireland as England’s late penalty concession and Thomas Ramos’ right boot cost Andy Farrell’s side a Six Nations title. Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns from the bowels of the Aviva Stadium to try and make sense of a Super Saturday which saw Ireland beat Scotland to the Triple Crown but just miss out on the overall crown. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Mark Palmer, Scottish rugby correspondent at The Times, joins Nathan Johns to preview Ireland’s clash with Scotland. The winner takes home the Triple Crown and has a shot at the outright Six Nations title, pending the result between England and France later on Saturday evening. Mark tries to figure out if Scotland have a genuine chance at breaking an 11-match losing run to Ireland or if this is the latest example of Scottish hubris. How has Gregor Townsend turned around this campaign after an opening defeat in Rome was followed up by sensational wins over England and France? Are Ireland really there for the taking? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A sensational weekend of Six Nations action leaves us anticipating a bumper Super Saturday to decide the title. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through Ireland’s win over Wales, Scotland’s thumping of France and Italy’s historic victory over England. Scotland, France and Ireland are all mathematically in the hunt for the title, while the winner of Ireland vs Scotland will take home the Triple Crown. Might this finally be the weekend where Scotland, fresh off their stunning win over France, get over their Ireland hoodoo? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This was a much-changed Ireland side from the one who performed heroics at Twickenham against England two weeks ago. And there was much to admire given their blistering start, but questions marks too. And have Wales finally turned a corner after so long in the doldrums? They played like a rejuvenated team, organised and tenacious, and offering a real threat going forward at times. Ireland could only breathe easy with 77 minutes on the clock when Jack Crowley made it a ten-point game. Host Nathan Johns is joined by Irish Times Rugby Correspondent Gerry Thornley. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Farrell has made five changes to the starting XV ahead of Friday’s clash with Wales. Unusual, perhaps, to mix up a winning formula after a stunning day out at Twickenham. John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy join Nathan Johns to pick through what it all means. Have Ireland embraced more rotation in a slightly tweaked selection policy? What to expect of Wales, a banana skin or as downtrodden as ever? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Sam Larner has, quite literally, written the book on data in rugby. In his recent publication, Attacking the Space: Inside rugby’s data and tactics revolution, Larner attempts to explain why the game looks the way it does in a manner accessible to the Irish fan. He joins Nathan Johns to explain why data shapes Ireland’s recent tactical evolution towards a kicking game, why putting boot to ball isn’t an inherently ugly thing, why Leinster changed their props so early in the game and how Munster have lost ’the best attack coach in the world.' Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Everyone loved a crisis talk after Ireland U20s and Ireland XV lost on the same weekend the senior side struggled in Paris. Since then, though, the U20s have won back-to-back games, including an impressive display against England. After last year’s wooden spoon, has the age grade side turned a corner? Is talk of a misfiring talent pipeline misguided? John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to put us all straight. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How many of you saw that coming? A record Irish victory in Twickenham was some way for Andy Farrell and co to change the narrative surrounding this side after a middling start to this year’s Six Nations campaign. Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns were all in London on Saturday and they link up once again to pick through how Ireland pulled off that performance. Plus, we look at how Ireland U20s managed a similarly impressive victory over their English counterparts in Bath on Friday night. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s team for the weekend is out with a big decision made at outhalf. Will the changes improve Ireland’s chances of securing an upset? What of England who have promoted Henry Pollock to the starting XV? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to preview Saturday’s clash. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland responded to their disappointment in Paris with a win over Italy. Albeit an unconvincing one. Did new faces in Andy Farrell’s team do enough to change the status selection quo? Did Ireland’s attack start to look like its old self? Does Scotland’s win offer any hope heading to Twickenham? 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.

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through some big selection decisions made by Andy Farrell ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy. Plus, John also takes his through his vision for how Ireland can bring more players through from U20 level to the senior side. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland suffer a heavy defeat to France while Italy are on a high following a win over Scotland. Does that make for a potential banana skin for Andy Farrel and Co this weekend? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss. Plus, we look at some of the wider tactical and skillset deficiencies plaguing Irish rugby. What can be done to stop the rot? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

A difficult night for Ireland saw them lose heavily to France in Paris. Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley were at the Stade de France to pick through where it all went wrong. Was Ireland’s game plan exposed? What to make of selection or the decision to continually kick away possession? What positives, if any, can be gleamed from a second half fightback? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland have named their team for Thursday’s Six Nations opener. There are surprises, namely Jacob Stockdale in for James Lowe and Cian Prendergast starting at 6. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the key match ups. How will Ireland tactically overcome France’s Parisian challenge? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The new head coach of the US team is an Irishman from Skerries. After winning a medal with the Canada Sevens team in Paris, Jack Hanratty has moved to America to coach Ilona Maher and Co. He joins host Nathan Johns to chart his journey from a Leinster development coach to boss of the US. Plus, with World cups heading stateside in 2031 and 2033, Jack gives his take on a question rugby has long sought to answer: can the sport make it in America? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.