The Counter Ruck

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.
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After Leinster impressed but confounded in equal measure in their latest Champions Cup outing, what to make of their tournament hopes? How have Munster found themselves already out of Europe’s second tier competition? Do Connacht and Ulster have legitimate silverware chances?
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss.
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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.