The Counter Ruck

John O’Sullivan joins The Counter Ruck from South Africa where he is covering Ireland’s upcoming Test series - minus his luggage. As he avoids borrowing clothes from players - for now - John joins Go…

Irish winners of Super Rugby are somewhat of a rarity. Adam Foy is the head of performance analysis with the Blues, the Auckland based franchise which just won the southern hemisphere’s most prestigi…

Leinster and Munster both crashed out of the URC semi-finals in what was a bitter blow to Irish rugby. John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns chat through the implications of the defeats, as well as Irelan…

Nigel Carolan, the former Connacht academy manager and Ireland U20s head coach, joins The Counter Ruck from Glasgow. Now the Warriors' attack coach, Carolan faces off against Munster this weekend in …

As they prepare to face Leinster this weekend in the URC quarter-finals, this week’s podcast reflects on Ulster’s uptick in fortunes since bringing in Richie Murphy as head coach. In turmoil after a …

Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to break down Leinster’s third consecutive Champions Cup final defeat. We analyse Leinster’s midfield attack, their decision making around penalties, what could have …

For the week of an Irish province playing in a European final, there has been plenty of news stories away from Leinster's clash with Toulouse. Simon Zebo announced his retirement, the IRFU revealed t…

Come July 1st, a number of changes to rugby's laws come into effect. A number of trials will also be seen over the summer as World Rugby continues to grapple with the balance of preserving the sport'…

This week's podcast is a detailed preview of Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final between Leinster and Northampton Saints at Croke Park.

Nathan Johns, Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan look back at th…

In the coming weeks, World Rugby will decide on a proposal to implement a new 20-minute red card. Already seen in the southern hemisphere and Super Rugby, the proposal allows sides to replace a red c…

News of Leinster's recent signing of All Black Jordie Barrett has split opinion. Is this a fair reflection of the dominant province flexing their muscle, or an unfair benefit of the IRFU paying their…

Few things get the Irish rugby public as excited as a young talent at outhalf. Dannah O'Brien has been on the scene for a while now, making her debut against Japan in 2022. Fresh off starting in Irel…

Former Ireland, Leinster and Leicester backrow Shane Jennings joins Gordon D'Arcy and host Nathan Johns. The historical links between Leinster and Leicester, opponents this weekend in the Champions C…

Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns talk through Ireland's defeat to France to begin the women’s Six Nations. We also pick through the best of the action following a mixed weekend for the provinces in the…

Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign a number of months after winning the first edition of the WXV3 competition. It was a much-needed confidence boost in an era largely defined by governance cont…

Gordon D’Arcy and Gerry Thornley join host Nathan Johns to pick through the final round of the Six Nations championship.

Ireland weren’t perfect, but had enough to get over the line against Scotland…

Scotland and Ireland have seen plenty of animosity in their contests in recent years. Yet the Scots have not won since 2017, while they haven't been victorious in Dublin since 2010. Can such a one-si…

England’s best performance in recent memory sent Ireland to a narrow defeat in London.

Hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams are gone, offering a timely reminder of just how difficult it is to win it all…

Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to preview Ireland's upcoming clash with England.

Where are England in this transition period? Will their blitz defence cause problems? Have w…

In this extended chat with England’s World Cup-winning number eight, Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy preview this week’s Six Nations clash at Twickenham.

We also discuss how Dallaglio could have decla…