The Counter Ruck

Ireland’s last Women’s World Cup appearance came in 2017. It was supposed to be a crowning moment, a global tournament hosted on Irish soil. Instead, results on the field precipitated a decline off it. Eight years later - with one failed qualification attempt in between - Ireland finally return to the world stage. What has changed in the last eight years? Are there lessons to be learned from the 2017 disappointment? How important a moment is it that Ireland are now back competing at World Cups? Former player Lindsay Peat, current assistant coach Larissa Muldoon and Ireland hooker Clíodhna Moloney-MacDonald were all involved in 2017. They join host Nathan Johns to look back at the last eight years.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland’s World Cup campaign is fast approaching. Yet perhaps due to Lions fatigue, the build-up has been somewhat muted. Maybe the bandwagon won’t get going until Ireland play New Zealand on September 7th, or is it a case of the women’s game being in a strange place? Much of the chatter around this Ireland group has been positive in recent years, thanks to improving Six Nations results and a famous win over the Black Ferns. Yet with key players injured, last-minute call-ups from England and questions on the future of the domestic game, this World Cup build-up doesn’t scream a team about to take off. Irish Times contributor Louise Lawless joins Nathan Johns to preview the campaign. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

After missing out on the 2021 edition, Ireland are back in World Cup action as they prepare for the upcoming campaign in England. Matches against Japan, Spain and New Zealand - who they memorably beat last autumn - await in Northampton and Brighton respectively.Ahead of the campaign, Nathan Johns is joined by players Aimee Leigh Costigan and Cliodhna Moloney-MacDonald to get an insight into camp. We chat World Cup preparation and the future of the women’s domestic game in Ireland which is set for an overhaul in the coming years. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Lions failed in their bid of a Test whitewash but still travel home from Australia as series winners. It seems that this series took a while to kick into gear but once it did, the final two Tests provided entertainment aplenty. Not least due to a dramatic lightning delay in Sydney on Saturday. How did Australia come back to salvage some pride? Was it inevitable human nature that the Lions took their foot off the gas once the series was secure? Where does this Lions tour rank in the annals of tours to the southern hemisphere? Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns all discuss. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Nine Irish players start in the Lions Test side in back-to-back weeks. But will this be remembered as a vintage tour, even with all the Irish representation? Is it difficulty to get up for the third test after last week’s series-winning drama? And with Tadhg Furlong in line for his ninth consecutive start for the Lions in Test matches this Saturday, is he in the conversation of greatest ever Irish lion?John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns preview the third test between the Lions and the Wallabies.Read about the Lions tour: irishtimes.com/sport/rugby Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As expected, the Lions are series winners having secured a 2-0 lead heading into the final Test against the Wallabies in Sydney. But, Melbourne’s second Test victory wasn’t without its drama. A Wallaby counterpunch, a thrilling fightback, refereeing controversy, a last-minute try and plenty of Irish involvement. The second Test had it all and the tour as a whole badly needed such a shot in the arm. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the match; how did Australia give Andy Farrell’s side a bloody nose? How did the Lions recover? Read about the Lions tour: irishtimes.com/sport/rugby Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This year’s Lions tour has been laden with negative coverage of how the tourists have endeared themselves to (or otherwise) to the Australian public. With disputes on the strength of touring sides, blocking players from lining out and the general negativity surrounding the standard of the Wallabies, it feels this tour has been as memorable for off-field storylines as much as on-field ones.Do the Lions need to be popular in their host country? Does any of this matter so long as the Lions win? Are we really talking about the demise of tours to Australia?Host Nathan Johns is joined by sportswriter at the Sydney Morning Herald, Jonathan Drennan.Read about the Lions tour: irishtimes.com/sport/rugby Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As was widely expected, the Lions were too strong for Australia during Saturday’s first Test in Brisbane. How did Andy Farrell’s side go about working past Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies?A fast start gave way to a middling if not average second half display. Does this give Australia hope of a series comeback, or did the Lions simply take their foot off the gas?Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick analyse where the game was won and lost. We also conduct a postmortem on the year for Ireland U20s after they just about avoided a World Cup wooden spoon with a narrow victory over Spain.Read about the Lions tour: irishtimes.com/sport/rugby Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The teams have been named for Saturday’s first Lions Test and Australia are missing a number of big names. With Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Taniela Tupou among those on the sidelines, concerns abound for Joe Schmidt’s ability to put together a competitive gameplan. Will wily Joe have something up his sleeve? Will Saturday turn into a uncompetitive drubbing, a nightmare scenario for the tour as a whole? Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley is on the ground in Brisbane. He joins Nathan Johns to preview the first Test between the Lions and the Wallabies.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to recap the weekend’s action: South Africa’s hijinks, Ireland’s century and the Lions’ final warm-up game are all up for discussion. What, if anything, did we learn about an Irish side which scored 100+ points against a poor Portuguese side? Is this Lions side genuinely world class, or are they just playing against bad opposition? Will this slow build-up be worth it once the Test series gets underway?Fancy joining us for our live show? Head to irishtimes.com/events to join Gordon, John, Nathan and Irish Lion Sean O’Brien as we preview the first Test vs Australia. Got a question for the panel on the night? Email rugbypod@irishtimes.com. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.