The Counter Ruck

Steven Kitshoff, the former South Africa and Ulster prop, joins Nathan Johns on The Counter Ruck. Kitshoff has won two World Cups with South Africa and has worked extensively with both Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber. He was also forced to retire due to a serious neck injury that could have developed into a significant issue known as the ‘hangman’s fracture’. Kitshoff joins the podcast to give an insight into the inner workings of South Africa’s historic run, his injury, the Springboks’ relatively new rivalry with Ireland and his time within Irish rugby. Presented by Nathon Johns. Produced by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the weekend’s interpro action. Friday night saw Connacht struggle away in Glasgow with the set-piece and maul proving an issue. The panel discusses how Connacht continue to look to improve their tight five while analysing Bundee Aki’s return to action at the start of what could be his last season in Irish rugby. Elsewhere, the first interpro of the season brought about a thriller as Ulster and Munster went tête-à-tête for a draw in Belfast. Clayton McMillan’s side raced out to a commanding hall-time lead only for Ulster, spearheaded by the likes of Robert Baloucoune, Stuart McCloskey and Jacob Stockdale, to pull things back for a dramatic draw. Finally, Leinster returned to the RDS for the first time in competitive action as they saw off Cardiff. In a performance that featured impressive counter-attacking displays from the likes of Hugo Keenan and Sam Prendergast, our trio looks at how Leo Cullen’s side are trying to evolve their attack in a bid to ultimately catch up with some of their French foes later this season. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following Munster’s appointment of former Hurricanes chief executive Avan Lee as CEO, can the province build towards former glories? In today’s Counter Ruck rugby podcast Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley look back at an era for the province which has been criticised for underachievement and ask whether Lee is the man to fix a culture that former players have described as “broken”. Gerry believes there are some strong indications that Munster has at last got the backroom leadership it has been lacking with Lee “fronting up” to the media and the public rather than leaving it to head coaches to explain what is amis. Munster travel to Ulster this weekend for the season’s first inter-provincial tie. The loser, Gerry explains, will go into the first round of European fixtures in the bottom eight of the URC table. So what does the future hold for Munster? And can it produce the consistent success its fan base expects? Presented by Nathan Johns. Produced by Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After round one saw all four Irish provinces lose to kick off the URC season, this weekend brought a more encouraging set of results spearheaded by impressive outhalf displays. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review all the action as Connacht and Munster secured victory, Ulster took a draw away in Glasgow and Leinster wrapped up their South African tour with a losing bonus point. On Friday night, Ciarán Frawley scored two tries in his first Connacht game since moving west from Leinster, the second a vital late contribution as the western province withstood a creaking scrum to beat Benetton away in Italy. Frawley offered an exciting window into what life might be like at Connacht with Frawley linking with Mack Hansen and Sam Gilbert, while Sean Jansen impressed off the base of the scrum. Munster had their own impressive outhalf, youngster Charlie O’Shea also scoring two tries as the province continues to look to fill the gap left by Jack Crowley’s injury. Using O’Shea’s willingness to be brave in attack, the pod analyses a wider shift in Irish rugby to trust players willing to take risks and impact games in a positive way. In this vein, Todd Lawlor at Leinster comes in for more praise despite Leinster’s loss, as does Ethan McIlroy at Ulster after their draw in Scotland. However, we also look at some weakness up front with many a provincial scrum struggling over the weekend, particularly against South African opposition. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andrew Trimble and London Irish chairman Daniel McKeown want to examine rugby’s governance. Looking at the money flowing in at a the international level, they want to know why so many clubs are still struggling. Worcester, Irish themselves and Wasps have all had well-documented financial troubles, while clubs further afield in Argentina and Australia have also gone under. Is rugby doomed to only succeed at international level, or should the governance structure be changed, featuring more control of star players for clubs and better initiatives to get more people watching the club game? Speaking from their experience attempting to revive London Irish, Daniel and Andrew discuss their plans with Nathan Johns and John O’Sullivan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the first time since 2009, all four Irish provinces started their domestic campaign with defeat. With Connacht and Ulster both losing at home on Friday night, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan reflect on the teams they selected as their ones to watch heading into the season. Is it time to row back on preseason positivity or will reinforcements of senior players in the weeks to come right the respective ships? On Saturday, Leinster lost away to the Lions despite promising performances from a number of young players. Gordon picks out who impressed him from a counter-attacking sense as we wait to see how Leinster will shift their style in a bid to be more competitive against the bigger European sides. We also discuss Munster’s loss at home to Glasgow despite the likes of Ben O’Donovan and Kieran Brookes putting in positive displays. The panel also pays tribute to Béibhinn Parsons after she became Ireland’s record try-scorer in Sunday’s win over Japan. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On Sunday, international rugby returned to these shores as Ireland women took on the USA in Tallaght. Despite an impressive first half showing, not to mention pulling 19 points clear after half-time, Ireland nevertheless succumbed to arguably the biggest upset defeat of the Scott Bemand era as a lower ranked American side mauled their way to a surprise victory. John O’Sullivan, covering the game for The Irish Times, joins Nathan Johns and former Leinster and Ireland centre Gordon D’Arcy to pick through where it all went wrong. Meanwhile, the United Rugby Championship returns as the wait for domestic rugby action comes to an end. Teams have been named as Connacht take on the Stormers, Ulster host Edinburgh, Munster take on Glasgow while Leinster travel to Johannesburg to take on the Lions. Gordon, John and Nathan pick through all the talking points ahead of the new campaign. Why have Leinster picked a strong outfit for this South African tour, naming a number of internationals who normally get this fortnight in the calendar off? What to make of Munster’s outhalf availability crisis, and how might we expect them to play under a new attack coach? With Ulster and Connacht both enjoying largely successful campaigns last season as they went through some transition, can these two continue their positive trajectory under Richie Murphy and Stuart Lancaster respectively? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As the rugby season continues to draw closer, Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to talk Leinster’s return to the RDS, Munster’s outhalf crisis, optimism for Connaht and Ulster ahead of the new campaign plus World Rugby’s continuing bid to crack the American market. Produced by John Casey and Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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 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.

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.

The season has come to a close for Connacht and Munster after their respective URC quarter-final defeats. Leinster meanwhile beat a lacklustre Lions side to stay alive and reach the semi-finals. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review the action, analysing why Connacht have had a season to remember, Munster a year to forget while looking at how Leinster can, if at all, look to improve things for next year. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Leinster and Scotland analyst Brett Igoe joined Nathan Johns for a deep dive into the tactics Bordeaux used to outthink Leinster in the Champions Cup final. Brett also casts his analyst’s eye over Connacht and Munster’s season to date, and their prospects going into their URC quarter-finals against Glasgow Warriors and Bulls respectively. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After sobering defeats for both Leinster and Ulster in European deciders, Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy look back at the weekend. Analysis of where things went wrong plus thoughts on how Irish teams might be able to narrow the gap to their French counterparts. Is player recruitment key for both provinces? And should Leinster rethink their focus on defence? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Both Leinster and Ulster struck early in their respective finals, only to be pegged back soon after as both sides suffered chastening defeats. Is this Leinster's most damaging final defeat since they last won the Champions Cup in 2018? Did the heat and conditions suit the French sides? And how do the provinces close the gap on Bordeaux, Montpellier and others from the Top 14? Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley are in Bilbao as they dissect defeats for Leinster and Ulster on a damaging European weekend for Irish rugby. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Cautious optimism has started to build as Leinster bid to break their finals losing streak in European action. Underdogs against Bordeaux, is this the year they finally win a coveted fifth star? What of Ulster’s chances, shorn of big players due to injury and needing a Challenge Cup win to guarantee top tier action next year? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to preview this weekend’s European finals. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In front of a record-breaking crowd, Ireland women powered past Scotland to finish their Six Nations campaign. Meanwhile Connacht and Munster secured their top eight spots in the URC, Ulster narrowly missed out while Leinster warmed up for their Champions Cup final with a win over the Ospreys. Gordon D’Arcy joins 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 preview the weekend’s rugby action. How can all four Irish provinces make the URC top eight? Are Ulster prioritising the Challenge Cup final over their last URC outing? Plus, how Ireland built towards a record day at the Aviva Stadium when they host Scotland on Sunday. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Did Connacht’s stability off the field manifest itself in their dominant victory over Munster, given the chaos engulfing their provincial rivals? What of a glut of refereeing decisions that prompted debate over the weekend, including Nathan Doak’s late concession of a penalty try in Belfast? After wins for Leinster, Connacht and a draw for Ulster, Did Connacht’s stability on the field manifest itself in their dominant victory over Munster, given the chaos engulfing their provincial rivals? What of a glut of refereeing decisions that prompted debate over the weekend, including Nathan Doak’s latest concession of a penalty try in Belfast? After wins for Leinster, Connacht and a draw for Ulster, Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy pick through the action and look at what each province needs to qualify for the top eight. Plus, Ireland women returned to winning ways thanks to a victory over Wales. and look at what each province needs to qualify for the top eight. Plus, Ireland women returned to winning ways thanks to a victory over Wales. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Controversy surrounded the weekend’s Champions Cup action after a number of head contacts were supposedly missed by the officials. Was this genuine error, issues with TV directors or something else wrong with the process? Former referee Owen Doyle joins Nathan johns to assess the state of rugby officiating. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to review the weekend’s action. Leinster and Ulster are both heading to European finals but with varying degrees of positivity surrounding their performance. Do Leinster have enough to beat Bordeaux or does the nervy Toulon endgame leave them second favourite? What of Ulster’s chances against Montpellier after seeing off Exeter? Plus, the panel analyses Leo Cullen’s criticism of how the Irish press has been covering his team. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

During the week, it was announced that Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final with Toulon had sold 30,000 tickets. Now, closer to kick-off, that figure is likely to rise, but it is notable that on the week of a big European game, there were still 20,000 seats available. Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to chat through why this may be - is there an Aviva fatigue with Leinster calling the stadium home for two years now during the RDS development? We also preview the on-pitch action as Leinster face the French side while Ulster welcome Exeter in the Challenge Cup semi-final. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Provincial action, women’s Six Nations and the business end of the AIL club season - this weekend had plenty. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review it all. Is the battle for the URC top eight just going to come down to whoever has enough fit players? A week out from their European semi-final, what to make of Leinster’s upset defeat away to Benetton? Have Ireland shown enough progression to get close to France, or was Saturday night a bump back down to earth? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to preview the weekend’s rugby action. From Munster’s key interpro with an injury-ravaged Ulster to Ireland’s Six Nations French revenge tour, not to mention AIL finals weekend, there is plenty to discuss as the rugby season continues towards the business end. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through the weekend’s rugby action. Did Ulster let themselves down against a Leinster shorn of first choice players? How did Leo Cullen’s men shut down one of the URC’s best attacks? Plus, we discuss much-needed victories for Connacht and Munster while highlighting the best bits of Ireland’s win over Italy in the women’s Six Nations. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to talk through Ireland’s home start to their Six Nations campaign against Italy this Saturday after defeat to England last week in front of a record crowd of 77,120 at the Allianz Stadium. They also preview Ulster’s crucial interpro with Leinster and look at where Connacht and Munster are currently in the URC standings. Plus, the controversy surrounding Munster’s new assistant coach hire Roger Randle. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Leinster are in the Champions Cup semi-finals after beating Sale while Ulster find themselves in the Challenge Cup last four thanks to victory over La Rochelle. They will not be joined by Connacht, though, after they lost in France to Montpellier. And Ireland women got their Six Nations campaign underway with an expected yet somewhat encouraging defeat to England. Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to chat through the weekend’s rugby action. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through the wreckage of Munster’s European campaign. The rot on the pitch appears to stem from deeper lying issues off it. Plus, news on Ireland’s team selection for their women’s Six Nations opener, as well as a look ahead to Leinster, Connacht and Ulster’s European action, with a look at La Rochelle’s unique selection for their trip to Belfast. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.