The Ruck is the journalists' rugby podcast from The Times & The Sunday Times. Join Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and a selection of guests every week as they provide insight and reports throughout the season, including big-name interviews and forthright analysis. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The 3rd round of the Nations Championship saw New Zealand hammer Ireland, England hold on to win against Argentina and South Africa destroy Wales. Alfie Reynolds, Stuart Barnes and Charlie Morgan look back on all the action and Mark Palmer joins to reflect on Scotland's summer. Could it be the end of Siya Kolisi as the Springbok captain? Are Ireland no longer one of the best sides in the world? And, did the officials get the big decision right at the end of Argentina vs England? Can Scotland now compete with the top teams? What do Wales take away from defeat in South Africa? And, can England kick on in November? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
England finished their Nations Championship matches this summer by beating Argentina 24-31! Steve Borthwick's side produced some of their best rugby of 2026 but also suffered the same disciplinary issues which saw them almost collapse to draw. The TMO saved England when Argentina thought they had scored a try with the final play of the match. So, after a mad match Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are back in Buenos Aires to reflect on the game, Steve Borthwick's punchy post-match comments and the Nations Championship as a whole. They discuss whether the competition has been more successful than they expected, why Borthwick hit back despite the obvious discipline problems and where this leaves the team heading into November. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Argentina host England in the Nations Championship this weekend! Can Los Pumas make it another Argentine win following the football World Cup semi-final? Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are in Buenos Aires to reflect on an incredible night in the capital and to look ahead to the weekend. They explain why Henry Pollock has been named on the bench by Steve Borthwick, why this is England's biggest test of the summer and the advantage of having Marcus Smith at full-back. Plus, can Ireland be the first side to win at Eden Park in the professional era? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
After the second round of the Nations Championship Alfie Reynolds, Stuart Barnes and Charlie Morgan look back on all of the action. They ask which nation might be able to compete with South Africa at the next World Cup and what style of rugby could cause them problems. That's after a weakened Springboks team beat Scotland despite an impressive display from Gregor Townsend's men. Plus, are the All Blacks under Dave Rennie once again playing to their strengths? Should Henry Pollock start for England away in Argentina? And, Peter O'Reilly looks ahead to Ireland's trip to Eden Park. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
England absolutely dismantled Fiji 73-8 to return to winning ways on the second weekend of the Nations Championship. Fiji were ill disciplined and lacking accuracy as Steve Borthwick's side put them to the sword. From Merseyside Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher reflect on a bizarre and messy match. They ask what can England take away from the victory given that Fiji were so poor? Does this ease the pressure on Steve Borthwick? Or is the real test how they get on next week against Argentina? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
It's the second round of the Nations Championship with England taking on Fiji in Liverpool. How much pressure are Steve Borthwick's team under after their defeat to South Africa? Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Charlie Morgan and Will Kelleher look ahead to the match and focus on the growing frustration among England fans. They chat about the need for both a result and a performance against a very dangerous Fijian side. Plus, could the success of the England football team at the World Cup distract attention from the under-pressure head coach? They also ask why there is such a disconnect between how the team views its performances and how the supporters view them. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The opening weekend of the Nations Championship produced some brilliant matches! Alfie Reynolds, Stuart Barnes and Elgan Alderman look back on all the action, including a tight victory for New Zealand against France, an important win for Wales versus Fiji and Scotland beating Argentina away. Peter O'Reilly chats about Ireland's narrow win against Australia where the hosts missed a penalty kick on the last play to win it. Plus, the boys ask how much pressure England and Steve Borthwick are under after they were hammered by South Africa? Barnsey explains why he's made the drastic suggestion that Henry Pollock should be made England captain. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
England's opening match in the Nations Championship saw them hammered 45-21 by South Africa at Ellis Park. From the stadium Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan reflect on the match. They ask how much pressure this piles onto England ahead of games against Fiji and Argentina? What does it mean for Steve Borthwick? And, can anyone stop the Springboks winning a third straight World Cup next year? Nobody expected England to win, but even so, how alarming was the performance? Did the way they rallied at the end of the second half do enough to ease concerns? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
What are the odds that England beat South Africa in Johannesburg on Saturday? From South Africa, Will Kelleher is joined by Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan to look ahead to England’s massive opening clash in the Nations Championship at Ellis Park. The panel debates whether Steve Borthwick's side can pull off a monumental upset on South African soil. Is this team stronger than anything they selected in the 6 Nations? How will Henry Pollock perform as he faces the Springboks for the first time? And, how will England play, following their dismal 6 Nations? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The inaugural Nations Championship starts this weekend but does rugby need it? Do fans even know or care what it is? Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan are in South Africa ahead of England's match in Johannesburg on Saturday. They ask whether the re-vamped format will be successful or if it will struggle to breakthrough during a busy summer of sport. Could it be a good thing long term? Or is it an unnecessary innovation? They also look ahead to the opening weekend of fixtures and discuss the incredibly strong Springboks team named on Monday morning by Rassie Erasmus. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Northampton Saints are the champions of England! They beat Exeter Chiefs 26-17 in the final to be crowned champions for the second time in three years. Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan look back on the match and ask what does it mean for Northampton? Does this cement them as the latest dynasty in English rugby? Will Exeter be able to bounce back from this defeat? And, why is it that the Prem final always delivers such a great occasion? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Northampton Saints will play Exeter Chiefs in the Prem final on Saturday. Alfie and Will are at Sandy Park in Devon as they look ahead to the match and chat to Exeter's Director of Rugby Rob Baxter and winger Olly Woodburn. They discuss whether Northampton Saints will win a second title in three years or whether Exeter are about to finish a remarkable run to the title. Baxter chats about his pride in getting the club back to the final and what they have learnt from their previous trips to Twickenham. Whilst Olly Woodburn discusses last minute drop goals and celebratory ski goggles. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Northampton will face Exeter in the Prem final! Charlie Morgan and Will Kelleher join Alfie Reynolds to look back on the semi-final weekend which produced two excellent matches as Northampton beat rivals Leicester and Exeter produced a comeback to win away against Bath. Despite all their success under Rob Baxter, was this one of Exeter's great days? They became only the 7th team in Prem history to win away from home in a semi-final. Have they played their final already? Or can they produce another remarkable result? Northampton will look to cement themselves as the dominant side in England when they make the trip to Twickenham next weekend. How impressive is it for them to be back in the final again? Plus, could Maro Itoje really miss England's matches this summer? *** Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
The Prem rugby semi-final line-up is confirmed: Northampton hosts rivals Leicester and Bath play Exeter. Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Charlie Morgan preview the semi-finals and ask is this the hardest season to predict who will make the final? Could an away side get a rare victory? They also discuss the teams near the bottom of the league. Who had the most disappointing campaign? And who has reasons to be optimistic? Plus, Andy Farrell has signed a contract extension to remain Ireland head coach until 2031. How big a blow is that to England and the RFU? And what does it say about the appeal of the England head coach job? *** Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
With one week of the regular season remaining Alfie, Will and Elgan look ahead to the final weekend in the Prem. They chat about the crunch fixtures as Bath host Leicester and Exeter play Saracens and ask who will make it into the play-offs? With Bristol now out of the running for the top four they ask what next for the club? Is this another season of underachievement? And, have Sale hit rock bottom following their last-gasp defeat away to lowly Newcastle? Plus, Saracens and England full-back Elliot Daly chats to Will and Elgan about his latest injury set-back, the departing Mark McCall and Saracens' push for the play-offs. And, Worcester have won the Champ, Jo Yapp will be the first coach of the British & Irish Lions women's team and is Shaun Edwards departing France? *** Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Alex and Will are in Bilbao to reflect on the Champions Cup final! Bordeaux have won back-to-back titles to join the elite sides in European Club rugby. What makes them so special? It is now 6 years in a row that a French club have been crowned Champions of Europe, how can anyone catch them? What does this defeat mean for Leinster? Their 5th Champions Cup final defeat in a row and is this one the most damaging of the lot? Plus, do EPCR need to do more 'destination' cities for their finals? And will we see a World Cup in Spain!? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Steve Borthwick's latest England training squad includes Benhard Janse Van Rensburg, who has qualified on residency grounds. Does it make sense for him to be parachuted directly into the set up? Or is it a bad look for the RFU and their talent pipelines? Alfie Reynolds, Charlie Morgan and Will Kelleher chat about that and the news that South African sides might pull out of the Champions Cup. Is this a good or a bad thing for the competition? Bordeaux attack coach Noel McNamara speaks to Will ahead of the Champions Cup final this weekend as they take on Leinster. The lads reflect on the end of the Women's 6 Nations as the Red Roses won the title again. And, they review a 'disgraceful' defeat for Bristol in the Prem as Pat Lam's side conceded over 90 points. *** Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Despite England having their worst ever men's 6 Nations campaign why has an RFU review backed Steve Borthwick in his role as head coach? Alfie, Alex and Will discuss the RFU's decision, what needs to change for England and why the review process if so secretive. Plus, they chat about whether Cornish Pirates will become a Prem club after they acquired funding from an American private equity group, the latest twists and turns in the race for the play-offs and Elgan joins them to look ahead to a grand slam decider in the Women's 6 Nations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Bordeaux and Leinster reached the Champions Cup final after defeating Bath and Toulon, respectively. The defending champions Bordeaux now have a chance to win back-to-back titles, while Leinster will hope to finally end their Champions Cup drought. But were Bath hard done by? It appeared that match officials were not shown replays for some high tackles. Was this the case? Is it a problem unique to matches broadcast in France? Or is it a wider issue that needs fixing? Plus, they discuss both semi-finals in detail, including Leo Cullen's bizarre, 6-minute, loaded answer in his press conference. And, they look ahead to a big weekend in the Prem. *** Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Shane Christie was one of the brightest rugby stars in New Zealand before suffering multiple concussions, leading to a brain injury that would slowly take everything from him. And his experience is far from unique. In this deeply personal account, David Walsh talks to Shane's former partner, Holly Parkes, to ask, What happened? What does Shane's story reveal about the sport he loved deeply? And can rugby survive the fallout? This is part one of a two-part special investigation into the crisis facing this global game. This podcast was brought to you thanks to the support of readers of The Times and The Sunday Times. Subscribe today: http://thetimes.com/thestory *** Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance Guest: Holly Parkes Host: David Walsh, chief sports writer, The Sunday Times Producer: Sophie McNulty We want to hear from you - email: thestory@thetimes.com Read more: Two friends, two suicides. How did rugby let this happen? Clips : Harlequins - YouTube. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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