The Ruck

Stephen Jones welcomes Steve James, Owen Slot and Al Dymock for the penultimate Ruck of the year. The panel cover: Dan Cole's struggles, Beno Obano's triumphs and Danny Cipriani's impossible task. There's a full review of the European action, including fears for a lack of English quarter finalists. Also find out who on the panel is dodging the christmas games and Al speaks about his investigation...

Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Alan Dymock analyse a terrible weekend in Europe results-wise for English clubs. But podcast favourite Peter O'Reilly calls in to explain why it's a different story for the Irish teams. And find out why Toulon are like a bumblebee and why everyone loves La Rochelle. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones, Owen Slot and Sam Peters are feeling weary after the autumn internationals, with the debate raging on as to the physical damage that could be done with needless rugby matches being played. The panel also discuss the Saracens slump, whether Eddie Jones is a strong selector and if Danny Cipriani can be a good squad player. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Slot welcomes Jonny Fordham of The Sun, Tom Hamilton from ESPN and Al Dymock from Rugby World to reflect on the weekends action. They offer answers to the following: if they were to re-plan their weekends which matches would they have attended, did the world rugby awards pick the right winners and which nation is letting their hemisphere down badly? There's also marks out of ten for each nati...

Stephen Jones is joined by The Times Owen Slot, Rugby World's Al Dymock, and the finest freelancer around, Adam Hathaway. They review England's win over Australia, assess where Scotland missed out against the All Blacks, as well as recapping the other matches before previewing the next series of clashes at the weekend.  There's also a debate about the best Scot to ever play the game, the pane...

Stephen Jones is joined by Steve James and Stuart Barnes for a comprehensive round up of the autumn internationals. The panel cover: the difficulty of making a dire game sound exciting as a commentator, whether there are too many test matches, and why do Wales keep coming up short against Australia? England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are all thoroughly analysed before changes are suggested and p...

Stephen Jones returns and welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times, Sarah Mockford from Rugby World, former World Cup winner and man who works upstairs now, Michael Lynagh. In a bumper episode the panel consider: the future of the Barbarians and the best use of the brand? Whether it's a cause for concern most of the England team is still unknown, if this autumn is a great chance to build the second tier...

In a podcast first and almost certain last, Owen Slot welcomes, Ben Ryan, Fiji Seven's gold medal winning coach, Sam Peters from The Sunday Times, and his 6 month old daughter Ella. Ben reflects on winning Olympic gold and the players who progressed to have an impact in the main game. He also reveals how close the Pacific Islands came to having a Super Rugby franchise, a vital component, he believ...

Stephen Jones returns from holiday and welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times, Rugby's finest greyhound expert Adam Hathaway and Rugby World's Alan Dymock. The panel comprehensively review the weekend in addition to picking personal highlights including La Rochelle and Benetton. There's also debate about when to introduce young players and the two sided effect it can have. There's a word for Joy Nevill...

Stuart Barnes takes charge for the first time and welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times, resident greyhound expert Adam Hathaway and Rugby World's Sarah Mockford. The panel review the weekends European action, reflect on the amazing result from Russian side Krasny Yar, consider Stephen Jones' article on Rob Andrew, and recall their favourite games of the weekend. Hear why Leone Nakarawa is selected as...

Owen Slot welcomes Times writers Alex Lowe and John Westerby, and commentator Alastair Eykyn. The panel give their insights on the state of the world's international teams going forwards. At the end of the first six week's of the premiership, our guests tell us who's impressing and try to make some very early final four picks. The panel offer their choices for the Premiership 15 to date, some *alm...

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot from The Times, Tom Hamilton from ESPN and Alex Spink from The Mirror. The panel pick their highlights of the week, including world cup bids and American football at Wembley. In a lacklustre week of rugby the overall quality of the Premiership is debated, notably Wasps vs Bath and Leicester vs Exeter. There's praise for Northampton's new chief executive and George...

Owen Slot speaks to Will Fraser for the second part of this special. The former Saracens player recalls telling his team mates of his retirement before having to watch them train immediately afterwards. Will also speaks about his new job with the club and offers his opinion on the attritional aspect of the modern game, perhaps surprisingly arguing for the sport to remain as physical as possible an...

Owen Slot welcomes Will Fraser for the first part of this special episode. The former Saracens player reflects on having to retire due to serious injury, the nature of his new routine, including being unsure if he could enter his old dressing room at the weekend. He relives the frustration of injuries and how he coped with the disappointment of missing two summer tours for England. Will also speak...

Stephen Jones, Owen Slot and Alex Lowe are joined by rugby royalty in the form of Rachael Burford. They talk about exporting rugby to the USA and developing grassroots players. Also we hear Rachael's perspective on the World Cup Final and she reveals who she believes to be the greatest player. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot and Alex Lowe from The Times and deputy editor of Rugby World Magazine, Sarah Mockford. The panel discuss their highlights of the rugby weekend (02.00) what Semesa Rokoduguni needs to add to his game to contend for an England place (04.00) and suggestions Leicester are already in crisis are quickly swatted away (07.00). There's a review of all the other Premiership...

The Ruck returns for a brand new season as Owen Slot welcomes Stephen Jones, from The Sunday Times, Alex Lowe from The Times and Adam Hathaway, "Rugby's premier greyhound owner".In this weeks show the panel discuss England's "ridiculous" tour to Argentina. (02:00) There are reflections on the opening weekend (8:00) including debate as to whether Leicester have redesigned the way they play (9:00) S...

Stephen Jones presents the season finale of The Ruck banishing all others to offer his final thoughts on an incredible series which he describes as "the biggest ever". In the shorter episode he pays tribute to Lions who "return in triumph" after their performances. He selects those who stood out, and praises the courage and confidence of the team unit as well as detailing the reasons they ultimate...

Owen Slot welcomes Stephen Jones, Peter O’Reilly and Stuart Barnes to preview the deciding test. The panel bill the game as "one of the biggest games in the history of the sport" due to the initial tour negativity and speculation surrounding the Lions future, all twinned with New Zealand's status as world champions. Also debated in the podcast: Should Mako Vunipola have been dropped, what other ch...

From Auckland, Stephen Jones, Peter O’Reilly and Nick Cain review a stunning second test. Later Owen Slot and Jonny Fordham report from Queenstown. Covered in the podcast: Memories of an incredible weekend, what changed for the Lions, does Warren Gatland need to make changes, plus how will Steve Hansen respond with selection? And do you agree with the kiwi description of Owen Slot? Finally theres...

The panel are totally confused by Warren Gatland's second test team selection. Stephen Jones, Peter O’Reilly, Owen Slot and Alex Lowe attempt to make some sense of the XV with only Peter offering any positives for the Lions amongst their detailed analysis. There's also review of the recent draw, and a debate on the 'geography 6' debacle. Finally, Wellington is reviewed in the travel section which...

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Peter O'Reilly and long time sports photographer David Rogers from Getty Images. David has been to nearly every Lions match since 1980 and he recalls the great matches, players and journalists he's seen down the years with a host of anecdotes. Later the panel give us reasons to believe the Lions can turn it around, also what changes Gatland will make? And how good...

Ahead of the first test, Stephen Jones, Alex Lowe and Owen Slot analyse Gatland's thinking, decide who's unlucky, and debate whether the logic stacks up for the selection. They also cover: the Lions ambassadors, chaos in the gym, Alex Lowe's dreadful footwear. Stephen Jones then stars in shoe-gate as he attempts to be reunited with his size 15's also there's no glee at all from the panel at Telegr...

Recorded From Hamilton, New ZealandStephen Jones is joined by Stuart Barnes, Owen Slot and Peter O'Reilly. Discussed by the panel: can Henshaw, Williams or Stander force their way into contention during the midweek game? Also who will captain in the first test and who makes everyones first test side? Finally, in the first ever Ruck Book Club you can hear the panels reading material on tour from th...

Stephen Jones is joined by Stuart Barnes, Owen Slot and Peter O'Reilly for a review of NZ pape​rs and a key examination of 'Gatland's Law' in the selection for the Maoris. Also hear why Stuart Barnes is now one fifth Maori and everyones personal highlight of the tour so far. The next episode is on Monday Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.