The Counter Ruck

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.
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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.

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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.