The Ruck

Following another weekend of action in the Champions Cup Alfie, Elgan and Alex look back on all of the big stories.With only one round of matches to go until the knockout stages they explain why, despite some great games, the competition continues to have structural issues. They ask what is going wrong at Toulouse who have lost twice already in the pool stage and discuss which teams are in the running to go on to be crowned champions. Plus, Henry Pollock, as always, was in the headlines after an impressive performance despite Northampton losing to Bordeaux and Bristol produced an incredible result in beating the Bulls in South Africa.And, they round off the pod by chatting about the possibility of the 6 Nations going behind a paywall, the latest developments in Welsh rugby and Newcastle Red Bull's recruitment drive for next season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Henry Pollock had a remarkable 2025!Breaking through with Northampton Saints, making his England debut, beating Leinster in Dublin, a Champions Cup final appearance and being named on the British & Irish Lions tour.So Will and Alex have made the trip up to the East Midlands to chat with Henry Pollock and his director of rugby Phil Dowson. How does the youngster reflect on the past 12 months? Does he enjoys ruffling feathers or care about people's perceptions of him? Plus, what are his aims for 2026? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

At the midway point in the Prem season Harlequins find themselves in a crisis. They're 8th in the table, having only won two of their nine games, including a 66-21 defeat to Northampton at the weekend.So, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are at The Stoop to chat with the Quins CEO Laurie Dalrymple. They discuss the coaching upheaval in the summer and the knock on impact to the clubs current struggles, player retention and why so many academy products have departed South-West London, as well as the importance of keeping Marcus Smith and the clubs financial situation in regards to an aim of breaking even. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the end of 2025 so in keeping with tradition The Ruck's end of year selection meeting is back as Alfie, Alex, Will and Elgan name a world XV of the year.South Africa are the number 1 side in the world but how many springboks will make it into the team? Who gets selected at fly-half? And, in a year where positional versatility has been so important what does the bench look like?Plus, given that the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour wasn't a 'vintage' series, how much weight do they put on Lions selection? Which big name superstar misses out? And, despite hardly playing any international rugby this year, does Antoine Dupont make it? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the final pod before Christmas and Alfie, Alex, Will and Elgan are back to review all the action over the weekend.They discuss humbling defeats for Gloucester and Harlequins and ask whether the current top five will be the teams to battle for a play-off spot at the end of the season.Plus, why are there so many high profile transfers ahead of next season? And, what can the whole league learn from Bath as they try and build a squad to win a title?Following Sports Personality of the Year they also praise Ellie Kildunne for coming 2nd in the individual award, ask whether the Red Roses should have picked up the team award and discuss what the British & Irish Lions missing out on a nomination reveals. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.