The Counter Ruck
A rugby podcast from The Irish Times, presented by Nathan Johns with regular panelists John O'Sullivan, Gordon D'Arcy and Gerry Thornley. Produced in association with Ohk Energy.
Episodes
Why are New Zealand embarking on their own Lions tour?
As world rugby moves away from multi match tours, instead preferring the nations championship, two of its biggest brands are going the other way. Ditching traditional southern hemisphere competitions, New Zealand are embarking on a lions style tour of South Africa. Is this good for the game or a shameless cash grab, two bigger nations going out on their own? South African journalist
The AFL comes for Irish rugby
Noah Byrne, a member of the Irish U20s, recently opted to move to Aussie rules instead of taking a Leinster academy contract. Is a move like this, often seen in GAA circles, going to become more prevalent in rugby, or are we dealing with a fascinating one off?Produced by Andrew McNair and John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Where do Ireland go from here?
After defeat to the All Blacks wrapped up Ireland’s season, Nathan Johns, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan talk through Ireland’s ups and downs. Firmly ranked below the world’s top sides, where do Ireland go from here as they look to close the gap next season?How does the team balance its need to improve the attack with the personnel available? And what positions are looking stronger than others
Reaction: New Zealand ease to victory over Ireland
What to make of Ireland’s 40-21 defeat to New Zealand on Saturday? A chastening, worrying performance or simply a fair reflection of Ireland’s place in the current global pecking order? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to analyse the final Ireland game of the season.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Underdog Ireland gear up for All Blacks test
Nathan Johns and John O’Sullivan pick through Andy Farrell’s team selection ahead of this weekend’s clash with the All Blacks. Are Ireland deservedly underdogs or are we gearing up for another famous win on Kiwi soil?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Irish rugby's state of the union down under
Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns on the line from Auckland to give his take on being at Ireland’s victory over Japan on Saturday. We also delve into David Humphreys’ media roundtable last week after the IRFU’s performance director discussed Munster’s Roger Randle U-turn, James Lowe’s departure and Leinster’s hunt for a new head coach.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy
Reaction: Ireland run in five tries as they beat Japan
After a 36-20 victory over Japan, Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns analyse Ireland’s performance in their latest Nations Championship action.What debutants put in strong performances? Did established players take responsibility? And was there enough on show to generate optimism going into next week's clash with New Zealand?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/priva
What to make of Ireland's rotation for Japan?
Former Leinster and Scotland analyst Brett Igoe joins Nathan Johns to pick through the facts, figures and trends of last weekend’s Nations Championship action. We also look at Ireland’s heavily rotated team selection for this weekend in a bid to assess what Andy Farrell is looking for against Eddie Jones’ side.Produced by John Casey and Andrew McNair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mor
Where do Ireland now stand in the Nations Championship?
Fresh off Ireland’s victory over Australia in Sydney, Gerry Thornley dials in from Australia to discuss that win as well as the weekend of Nations Championship rugby as a whole with host Nathan Johns.What did we learn from the narrow win over the Wallabies? Are we likely to see many Irish debuts handed out over the three tests? And could Japan prove to be a potential banana skin given their wining
Reaction: Ireland squeeze home against Australia
Ireland squeezed home against Australia after a Thomas Clarkson try and a missed kick from Ben Donaldson with the clock in the red. Was this a gutsy, narrow win on the road or a worryingly rusty start to their summer window? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Can Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies upset Ireland?
Andy Farrell and Ireland begin their latest bloc of fixtures with a clash against Australia in Sydney. Jonathan Drennan of the Sydney Morning Herald joins Nathan Johns to discuss why Joe Schmidt is still in charge of the Wallabies, will they put out a better showing than what we saw in Dublin last November and why both teams have selected in the way that they have.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on
Ireland come up short against England in Under-20s World Championship
Ireland U20s began their Under-20s World Championship campaign with defeat in Tbilisi, and it was déjà vu as Toulouse secured another Top14 title. It’s also the start of an Ireland test week as the build-up to a clash with Australia kicks into gear. Nathan johns discusses it all with Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more
Who to look out for in Ireland U20s at the World Cup
No Irish senior rugby this weekend but Ireland U20s do get their World Cup campaign underway in Georgia on Saturday. John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through the players to keep an eye on and Ireland’s hopes while we also look back on the 10-year anniversary of the stellar Ireland group that both beat New Zealand and reached the U20s World Cup final.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acas
Why is Leo Cullen leaving Leinster?
Monday saw Leinster announce that Leo Cullen will leave the province once his contract expires at the end of next season. Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through why he’s going and who could replace Cullen atop the Leinster tree.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Leinster win back-to-back URC titles
Reaction: Leinster outclass the Bulls to win URC crown Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns pick through Leinster’s URC final victory over the Bulls.After Champions Cup disappointment in Bilbao, Leo Cullen’s side have ended the year with silverware after a comprehensive victory over the South African outfit. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What to make of Andy Farrell's Ireland squad to tour Australia and New Zealand
Shorn of multiple players due to injury, Andy Farrell has named his group to tour Australia and New Zealand this summer. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through who is in and who might consider themselves unlucky. Plus, we build up to the URC final as Leinster and the Bulls name their teams for Friday night’s decider.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. Se
Why is James Lowe leaving Leinster?
With confirmation arriving that James Lowe will leave Leinster, in theory ruling him out of Ireland’s World Cup bid next year, Irish Times rugby writer John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss how talks broke down. Why is Leinster’s record try scorer leaving despite, by all accounts, wanting to stay? Plus, we chat through Munster’s hire of Jared Payne instead of Roger Randle and the
Leinster into another final, but are their fans buying into their URC run?
Leinster beat the Stormers on Saturday to secure another URC final appearance as they once again meet the Bulls in the final. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through the action, look at where Leo Cullen’s side just about had enough to work past the Cape Town outfit and how they might fare against another South African juggernaut. Plus, we look at excitement elsewhere with Glasgo
Are Leinster being set up tactically for success?
A number of narratives have emerged in an attempt to explain Leinster’s European malaise under the current coaching staff. Is Jacques Nienaber’s new system the problem or, rather, has he been given enough coaching power to truly take control? Are Leinster still a well coached team or are they tactically behind the curve given the way the game is being played at the moment? Analyst S
Have Leinster hit their ceiling this season?
The season has come to a close for Connacht and Munster after their respective URC quarter-final defeats. Leinster meanwhile beat a lacklustre Lions side to stay alive and reach the semi-finals.Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review the action, analysing why Connacht have had a season to remember, Munster a year to forget while looking at how Leinster can, if at all, look to improve thing
How Bordeaux outfoxed Leinster and URC quarter-finals preview
Former Leinster and Scotland analyst Brett Igoe joined Nathan Johns for a deep dive into the tactics Bordeaux used to outthink Leinster in the Champions Cup final.Brett also casts his analyst’s eye over Connacht and Munster’s season to date, and their prospects going into their URC quarter-finals against Glasgow Warriors and Bulls respectively.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com
Where do Leinster and Ulster go from here?
After sobering defeats for both Leinster and Ulster in European deciders, Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy look back at the weekend. Analysis of where things went wrong plus thoughts on how Irish teams might be able to narrow the gap to their French counterparts.Is player recruitment key for both provinces? And should Leinster rethink their focus on defence?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. S
Leinster suffer Champions Cup humbling at the hands of Bordeaux
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 T
Can Leinster break their European hoodoo?
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 fina
How Leinster and Ulster warmed up for their European showdowns
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/privac
How all four Irish provinces can make the URC knockouts
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.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
How Connacht are proving a stark contrast to reeling Munster
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 its
Is rugby’s TMO process fair?
Controversy surrounded the weekend’s Champions Cup action after a number of head contacts were supposedly missed by the officials.Was this genuine error, issues with TV directors or something else wrong with the process?Former referee Owen Doyle joins Nathan johns to assess the state of rugby officiating.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Leinster reach a record ninth Champions Cup final
Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to review the weekend’s action. Leinster and Ulster are both heading to European finals but with varying degrees of positivity surrounding their performance. Do Leinster have enough to beat Bordeaux or does the nervy Toulon endgame leave them second favourite? What of Ulster’s chances against Montpellier after seeing off Exeter? Plus, the panel a
Leinster out to heal Champions Cup trauma; and is Aviva Stadium fatigue creeping in?
During the week, it was announced that Leinster’s Champions Cup semi-final with Toulon had sold 30,000 tickets. Now, closer to kick-off, that figure is likely to rise, but it is notable that on the week of a big European game, there were still 20,000 seats available. Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to chat through why this may be - is there an Aviva fatigue with Leinster calling the stadium home
How concerned should Leinster be for Europe after Benetton defeat?
Provincial action, women’s Six Nations and the business end of the AIL club season - this weekend had plenty. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review it all. Is the battle for the URC top eight just going to come down to whoever has enough fit players? A week out from their European semi-final, what to make of Leinster’s upset defeat away to Benetton? Have Ireland shown enough progression to ge
Could injuries derail Ulster's stellar season?
John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to preview the weekend’s rugby action.From Munster’s key interpro with an injury-ravaged Ulster to Ireland’s Six Nations French revenge tour, not to mention AIL finals weekend, there is plenty to discuss as the rugby season continues towards the business end.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Leinster dismiss pretenders Ulster, Connacht find consistency and Ireland women crush Italy
Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through the weekend’s rugby action. Did Ulster let themselves down against a Leinster shorn of first choice players? How did Leo Cullen’s men shut down one of the URC’s best attacks? Plus, we discuss much-needed victories for Connacht and Munster while highlighting the best bits of Ireland’s win over Italy in the women’s Six Nations.Produced by John Casey.
URC preview, women’s Six Nations and Munster’s controversial new appointment
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
Leinster have yet to fully find their mojo heading into a Champions Cup semi-final – when will it all click?
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
What’s gone wrong in Munster?
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. Hosted on
Are Leinster champions cup contenders/how have things gone this badly wrong for Munster?
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are we living in rugby's good old days?
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 ente
Transfer rumour mill runs hot as Irish provinces gear up for Europe
With word on Ireland eyeing up an Australian rugby prospect, Nathan johns and Gordon D’Arcy look at Ireland’s prop development pathway. Plus, how did Jamie Osborne look back in the centre following a Six Nations campaign at 15? How did Munster improve on a difficult South African tour? How are the provinces shaping up for a return to Europe?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/pr
Leinster Schools thriller + Munster's concerning financials
Plenty of rugby news warrants further discussion as a thrilling conclusion to the Leinster Schools Cup warranted a replay. Munster are also in the headlines after a concerning story that they are implementing voluntary redundancies after enduring some financial difficulty. John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to discuss the rugby news of the day.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com
Leinster’s outhalf dilemma
A week after the conclusion of the Six Nations, the provinces returned to action. Bundee Aki headlined a statement win for Connacht over Ulster while Sam Prendergast and Leinster struggled away to Glasgow. A record defeat for Munster rounded off a tricky return to domestic action for the Irish sides. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com
Are Ireland trending in the right direction? What we learned from their Six Nations campaign
The Six Nations finished with a bang with Ireland’s Triple Crown win over Scotland and France’s thrilling escape act against England, a late affair that just denied Ireland the title. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through what we’ve learned from the tournament. From a dismal opening night in Paris to within touching distance of the title, how did Ireland trend in the right direction aft
Ireland denied the title by France's late act
Heartbreak for Ireland as England’s late penalty concession and Thomas Ramos’ right boot cost Andy Farrell’s side a Six Nations title. Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns from the bowels of the Aviva Stadium to try and make sense of a Super Saturday which saw Ireland beat Scotland to the Triple Crown but just miss out on the overall crown.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privac
Do Scotland have a genuine chance at breaking their 11-match losing run to Ireland?
Mark Palmer, Scottish rugby correspondent at The Times, joins Nathan Johns to preview Ireland’s clash with Scotland. The winner takes home the Triple Crown and has a shot at the outright Six Nations title, pending the result between England and France later on Saturday evening. Mark tries to figure out if Scotland have a genuine chance at breaking an 11-match losing run to Ireland or if this is th
Are Scotland primed to finally beat Ireland?
A sensational weekend of Six Nations action leaves us anticipating a bumper Super Saturday to decide the title. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to pick through Ireland’s win over Wales, Scotland’s thumping of France and Italy’s historic victory over England. Scotland, France and Ireland are all mathematically in the hunt for the title, while the winner of Ireland vs Scotland will take home the Tr
Ireland beat a dogged Wales side under the lights at the Aviva
This was a much-changed Ireland side from the one who performed heroics at Twickenham against England two weeks ago. And there was much to admire given their blistering start, but question marks too.And have Wales finally turned a corner after so long in the doldrums? They played like a rejuvenated team, organised and tenacious, and offering a real threat going forward at times.Ireland could only
Have Ireland changed their selection policy ahead of the clash with Wales?
Andy Farrell has made five changes to the starting XV ahead of Friday’s clash with Wales. Unusual, perhaps, to mix up a winning formula after a stunning day out at Twickenham. John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arcy join Nathan Johns to pick through what it all means. Have Ireland embraced more rotation in a slightly tweaked selection policy? What to expect of Wales, a banana skin or as downtrodden as e
Data in rugby and Ireland’s tactical revolution explained
Sam Larner has, quite literally, written the book on data in rugby.In his recent publication, Attacking the Space: Inside rugby’s data and tactics revolution, Larner attempts to explain why the game looks the way it does in a manner accessible to the Irish fan. He joins Nathan Johns to explain why data shapes Ireland’s recent tactical evolution towards a kicking game, why putting boot to ball isn’
Ireland U20s - how does the talent pipeline actually look?
Everyone loved a crisis talk after Ireland U20s and Ireland XV lost on the same weekend the senior side struggled in Paris. Since then, though, the U20s have won back-to-back games, including an impressive display against England. After last year’s wooden spoon, has the age grade side turned a corner? Is talk of a misfiring talent pipeline misguided? John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to put us al
Ireland pull off one of the great Twickenham days against England
How many of you saw that coming? A record Irish victory in Twickenham was some way for Andy Farrell and co to change the narrative surrounding this side after a middling start to this year’s Six Nations campaign. Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns were all in London on Saturday and they link up once again to pick through how Ireland pulled off that performance. Plus, we look at how Ir
How might Ireland pull off a Twickenham upset?
Ireland’s team for the weekend is out with a big decision made at outhalf. Will the changes improve Ireland’s chances of securing an upset? What of England who have promoted Henry Pollock to the starting XV? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to preview Saturday’s clash.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Did Ireland restore confidence ahead of Twickenham showdown?
Ireland responded to their disappointment in Paris with a win over Italy. Albeit an unconvincing one. Did new faces in Andy Farrell’s team do enough to change the status selection quo? Did Ireland’s attack start to look like its old self? Does Scotland’s win offer any hope heading to Twickenham? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to discuss.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast.
Do Ireland's rugby pathways need a serious overhaul?
John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through some big selection decisions made by Andy Farrell ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Italy. Plus, John also takes his through his vision for how Ireland can bring more players through from U20 level to the senior side.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Are wounded Ireland vulnerable to an Italian job?
Ireland suffer a heavy defeat to France while Italy are on a high following a win over Scotland. Does that make for a potential banana skin for Andy Farrel and Co this weekend? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss. Plus, we look at some of the wider tactical and skillset deficiencies plaguing Irish rugby. What can be done to stop the rot?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.co
How far behind the leading pack are Ireland after defeat against France?
A difficult night for Ireland saw them lose heavily to France in Paris.Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley were at the Stade de France to pick through where it all went wrong.Was Ireland’s game plan exposed? What to make of selection or the decision to continually kick away possession? What positives, if any, can be gleamed from a second half fightback?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acas
France vs Ireland - Six Nations preview
Ireland have named their team for Thursday’s Six Nations opener. There are surprises, namely Jacob Stockdale in for James Lowe and Cian Prendergast starting at 6. Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to pick through the key match ups. How will Ireland tactically overcome France’s Parisian challenge?Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Can rugby take off in America?
The new head coach of the US team is an Irishman from Skerries. After winning a medal with the Canada Sevens team in Paris, Jack Hanratty has moved to America to coach Ilona Maher and Co. He joins host Nathan Johns to chart his journey from a Leinster development coach to boss of the US. Plus, with World cups heading stateside in 2031 and 2033, Jack gives his take on a question rugby has long soug
Should Irish players have been wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the Six Nations?
Ireland’s front-row injury crisis plummeted to a further low when Jack Boyle was carted off with an Achilles issue for Leinster against Connacht. Given the absentee list at loosehead, should he - alongside other Ireland Six Nations players - have been wrapped in cotton wool over the weekend? Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss this along with Leinster’s victory over Connacht, Ulster’s defe
Is Ireland's Six Nations squad 'safe'?
It’s squad week ahead of the upcoming Six Nations. Both the senior group, the squad selected in the second string and the U20s have all been revealed. Is Andy Farrell’s selection overly safe or a fair reflection of newer players pushing through? Who has been hard done by? Can anyone from the second string push their way into the upper ranks? And what of the U20s, who are looking to bounce back aft
What does Munster’s crushing Champions Cup exit mean for Ireland?
The final European weekend for a while threw up plenty of intrigue. Munster are out of the Champions Cup, their latest love affair with Europe’s top tier proving to be a short lived one. Leinster once again won in difficult circumstances to ensure they are the lone Irish team flying the flag in the Champions Cup. Ulster and Connacht safely guaranteed their progression to the knockout stages of the
Why did the All Blacks drop a coaching bombshell?
Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through the rugby news of the day. The quality of the on-field product certainly improved during last weekend’s European action, a badly needed injection of life after some difficult outings for Irish sides in recent months. Meanwhile the rugby transfer story mill has picked up into overdrive while the All Blacks shocked the world with the decision to move
How did Leinster pull off their win against La Rochelle?
Leinster get out of jail against La Rochelle while Munster fall in Toulon in the Champions Cup. Meanwhile Ulster are snowed off while Connacht let a late lead slip against Montpellier in the Challenge Cup. A weekend of entertaining rugby, but what did we learn, if anything, about Irish rugby’s trophy prospects this year?Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to review the weekend’s ac
Rory Best on how Ulster have turned things around
An ex-Ireland captain is now in charge of the rugby department at one of the country’s four provinces. Rory Best, Joe Schmidt’s on-field lieutenant towards the back end of the 2010s, is back in Irish rugby as general manager of his native Ulster. This is worth a deep dive in and of itself - what is a general manager? Why has Best gone into this role instead of coaching? Is he the Jason Wilcox to U
Which province is worth paying to watch?
The end of the festive interpro season is nigh but that means Europe is back in focus as the provinces gear up for continental rugby once more. All while Andy Farrell ruminates on his Six Nations squad which is expected to be named in the coming weeks. Whose performances may have turned his eye after three weeks of Irish derbies? Will any of Ulster’s in-form youngsters prompt a shake-up? What to m
Why rugby’s bomb squads are bad for the game
The now infamous 7-1 forward split on the bench hit the headlines last year when World Rugby announced they would not be outlawing the practice. The innovation, first used by South Africa and made more prominent by France in the 2025 Six Nations, is controversial in some quarters.While not quite at culture war levels, the use of extra forwards has prompted a strong rebuke, as either dangerous, aga
Leinster and Munster’s battle for rugby’s soul
The Christmas interpros have been and gone, Leinster and Ulster prevailing over Munster and Connacht respectively. Thomond Park was notable not so much for the quality of rugby but barbs which came off the pitch post-match. Leo Cullen and Simon Zebo were more than happy to jest with each other, while Tadhg Beirne added his name to the long list of players lamenting the game’s tactical direction of
The role sports psychology has played in Leinster and Ireland’s success
Inevitably, before their success in the United Rugby Championship last season, plenty of public commentary focused on Leinster’s inability to get over the line in big games. Clearly, they had the talent. Was the problem instead to be found in the top two inches?Enda McNulty, a former All-Ireland winner with Armagh, worked with both Leinster and Ireland as a sports psychologist.He joins Gordon D’Ar
Christmas takeaways from a strange provincial weekend
Another week, another round of games featuring Irish provinces winning ugly. Leinster and Munster secured bonus point victories despite being far from their best. Are we being harsh by focusing overly on performances instead of bottom lines at this stage of the year? Ulster put it up to Leinster but succumbed to a lack of depth. Are they still trending in the right direction? And what to make of C
Could a multiple URC champion be on the way out?
Not for the first time this year, Welsh rugby is awash with speculation of the downfall of one of its clubs. The Ospreys, four-time winners of the URC in its various guises over the year, are the latest team which could be on the chopping block, according to various media reports. With high profile players leaving the club, word that owners are looking to jump ship and the CEO taking to his person
Do Leinster’s misfires matter so long as they’re winning?
Leinster won on their travels but looked far from convincing against Leicester. Munster also flattered to deceive albeit they got a winning bonus point at home to Gloucester. Ulster rotated their side with one eye on an interpro against Leinster and lost in the dying embers against Cardiff while Connacht won easily against Black Lion of Georgia. Should we be overly concerned about dicey performanc
Rugby’s stylistic direction of travel - is it for the best?
With Leinster and Leicester squaring off in Europe this week, Jimmy Gopperth - a former outhalf for both sides - joins ex-teammate Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns. We look back at an interesting time in Leinster’s history, the years when they were coached by Matt O’Connor. We also chat about Irish rugby’s tactical evolution in the last 10 years, as well as the direction of travel of the sport more
Munster fall as Leinster fail to impress in Europe
Round one of European action has been and gone as Leinster won in unconvincing fashion over an understrength Harlequins side, Munster fell away to Bath, Connacht lost to Ospreys and Ulster hammered Racing at home in Belfast. Are Leinster leaving it till too late in the season to kick into gear? Is Munster’s defeat terminal to their European ambitions? Were Ulster the only Irish province to actuall
Ireland's path to World Cup redemption + European preview
Two years out from the World Cup, Ireland now know who they are playing after Wednesday’s draw. The fixture dates come next February as World Rugby look for spikes of ‘hype’, a tactic which divides the opinion of our panel. Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to look at Ireland’s draw and preview the upcoming European action. Leinster may well have a chance to blood a few n
Why are Irish rugby tickets so expensive?
During the November window, the IRFU released their financial accounts for the previous year. Inevitably, they were asked about rising ticket prices for games at the Aviva Stadium. Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley reported that the cost of a ticket has increased by 80 per cent in the past 12 years. Why does rugby charge more for the in-ground experience, compared to other sports? The
Is international rugby becoming unwatchable?
There have been postmortems aplenty on the state of Irish rugby after the November window. But what of the international window as a whole. Officiating is arguably a hot a topic as it ever has been - and not in a good way. Stylistically, law tweaks have more and more teams striving for efficiency and playing in similar styles, ones which are not always popular among the crowds. Whatever about resu
Saturday Shambles wraps up Ireland's November window
Saturday was shambolic. Chaotic. Insert your choice of adjective here. A rugby match took over 130 minutes to complete. Seven cards were handed out - one rescinded. Somewhere in between, South Africa bullied Ireland, Andy Farrell’s side ultimately doing well not to lose by a heavier margin. What to make of all the chaos, and of Ireland’s November window as a whole? John O’Sullivan and Gordon D’Arc
Ireland vs South Africa: rugby’s biggest rivalry?
South Africa come to town this weekend with two World Cup winners’ medals in the back pocket of plenty of squad members. Yet one of the few frontiers this side under Rassie Erasmus has yet to cross is winning in Dublin. Daniel Gallan is a South African journalist for Rugbypass and the Guardian. He joins Nathan Johns to explain just how Rassie has done it for so long. How does he keep his players m
Ireland’s record win over Australia sets up Springboks clash perfectly
Ireland secured a record victory over Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies on a wet Saturday night at the Aviva Stadium. It was comfortably the best display of this November window from Andy Farrell’s side, but where does it leave them ahead of next week’s Springbok challenge? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan once again join Nathan Johns to discuss, amongst other things: Sam Prendergast’s impressive starting
What will Joe Schmidt's legacy with Australia be?
After beating the Lions in the last Test and running them close in the series as a whole, Australia have gone downhill. They started this November window with a scare against Japan while last weekend saw a damaging defeat to Italy. Where did it all go wrong? Joe Schmidt is in the twilight of his tenure in charge, finishing up next July. After the Lions recovery but subsequent demise, how will his
Ireland’s unconvincing Japan job
Ireland 41 Japan 10: back on track after the Chicago disappointment or a worrying, laboured victory? Did Ireland get what they needed from returning players? Did newer faces step up? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to give their thoughts. Meanwhile over in Spain, Ireland’s second string impressed against the tier two nation. Can anyone from that group force their way into senio
