The Counter Ruck

Ireland were not at their fluid best on Saturday but they did not have to be, beating Wales 31-7 at the Aviva Stadium.  How did Wales stilt the Irish attack somewhat? Just how good is Ireland’s defence? Does Andy Farrell have a replacement bench to rival the South African bomb squad? The panel chats through all the talking points from the Irish victory, as well as the other notable games from the weekend. England, Ireland’s next opponents, come in for some heavy criticism after their defeat to Scotland, while France’s downfall under Fabien Galthié brings to mind memories of the end of the Joe Schmidt Ireland era in 2019.  Produced by John Casey  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is fullback Ciarán Frawley’s best position? How much of a loss will Hugo Keenan be? What to expect from debutant Oli Jager?  Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to react to Andy Farrell’s team announcement. The panel looks at if there were any other options to replace Keenan, is picking a 6/2 split on the bench somewhat of a risk and why Stuart McCloskey makes the bench instead of Garry Ringrose.  Saturday’s opponents, Wales, also are analysed in detail. We look at if Sam Costelow will change their game plan at outhalf. Given the threat of Tommy Reffell to the Irish breakdown, Gordon D’Arcy recalls preparing to face previous dangerous Welsh flankers and how Ireland can nullify the Leicester backrow. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Despite being tipped by some as wooden spoon contenders for this year’s Six Nations, Wales have lost their opening two matches by a combined margin of just three points. A second half comeback against Scotland and a strong opening 40 minutes in Twickenham vs England have allowed Wales to already exceed the expectations. Ahead of their trip to Dublin to take on Ireland this weekend, Mike Bubbins, a former Cardiff and Wales underage backrow, joins Gordon D’Arcy and host Nathan Johns to talk through Wales’ resurgence of sorts. The panel discuss Wales coach Warren Gatland’s decision to rely on a younger cohort of players, the attacking brand of rugby displayed by domestic sides and how the country looks to recover from a turbulent 12 months of financial trouble, administration controversies and middling performances on the pitch. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For all the positivity surrounding Ireland’s two wins to open up this year’s Six Nations, a concern for the concession of scrum penalties remains simmering in the background.Against France, Andrew Porter was penalised twice in quick succession in the first half. After half-time, the French replacement front row eked out a further penalty, cementing a clear advantage.Scrumming down against Italy, Ireland fared much better, winning as many as four scrum penalties, but still conceding a handful of decisions.“Your reputation precedes you, good or bad,” says Mike Ross, the former Ireland tighthead prop.“For some reason we’ve been identified as a side that can give penalties away in the scrum. Sometimes I would question if the referees are actually looking at what they’re seeing or going with preconceived notions.”When there can be such volatility, Ireland finding themselves on the back foot one week only to dominate in the next fixture, questions arise. Is it the opposition, personnel, a different referee interpretation?Ross joined host Nathan Johns on The Counter Ruck Podcast on this Six Nations down week to take a deep dive into Ireland's scrum. Is the scrum a concern, how important is it and do officials referee the set piece consistently? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After Ireland put Italy to the sword in the Aviva Stadium, the panel discusses standout performances form Jack Crowley and James Lowe, Ireland's impressive defensive record and the latest disappointing Italian performance.We also talk through Wales being more competitive than previously thought, the low standard of play across the board so far in the tournament and the infamous TMO decision that left Scotland reeling. With the Six Nations taking a break this weekend, Gerry and John pick their player of the opening rounds of action. Produced by Declan Conlon and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Leinster out-half and current Argentina head coach Felipe Contepomi joins his old teammate Gordon D'Arcy on today’s podcast. Italy's new head coach, Gonzalo Quesada, is a former teammate of Contempomi. The former Leinsterman tells us what to expect from his old friend as he prepares his Italian side for their clash with Ireland at the Aviva on Sunday afternoon. Contepomi also discusses his time coaching Leinster's trio of young out-halves and why he believes the province is right to spread game time between them, as well as how he has adapted to coaching given how much rugby has evolved from his playing days.Produced by Declan Conlon and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Fresh off covering Ireland's win over France, Gerry Thornley joins host Nathan Johns and John O'Sullivan to review the victory that sets up Andy Farrell’s team as favourites for the Six Nations. We discuss the French media's strong reaction, how Ireland looked a better-coached side, the impressive second row pairing of Joe McCarthy and Tadhg Beirne as well as Jack Crowley's coming-of-age performance at out-half. We also analyse if Ireland has a scrum problem, while looking at the U20s win over France in Aix-en-Provence.Produced by Declan Conlon and John Casey. JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley previews Friday night’s clash from the Stade Velodrome in Marseille.With both teams exiting last year’s World Cup at the quarter-final stage, a opening round win will go some way to deciding the winner of this Six Nations tournament. In terms of Irish players to watch out for, Jack Crowley steps in to fill the void left by the now-retired Johnny Sexton at fly-half, while Leinster lock Joe McCarthy is a hugely exciting prospect.While watching Ireland’s captain’s run, Gerry talks through team selection and where the game could be won and lost for Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to preview the Six Nations ahead of Ireland's opening game away to France on Friday night.The panel discusses selection, captaincy and Ireland's poor record following World Cup campaigns.We also hear from Clare native Noel McNamara, the attack coach at Union Bordeaux-Begles. Newly installed at the French club, McNamara works on a daily basis with a number of players in the France squad, most notably Maxime Lucu, the man expected to be tasked with replacing the absent Antoine Dupont.  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Counter Ruck is a new rugby podcast from The Irish Times. Launching on Monday, January 29th - just in time for the Six Nations. Produced in association with Nifti Business. https://www.irishtimes.com/sport/rugby/ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.