The Ruck

Alfie Reynolds, Elgan Alderman and Alan Dymock are back in the studio after months on the road at the Rugby World Cup. They turn their attention to domestic action in the Gallagher Premiership and also chat to Mark Palmer about the opening rounds of the URC. They debate the future of Wales' fly-half jersey, Exeter's rebuild and the impact of the World Cup on the start of the season. Plus, Alan ask...

The Springboks retained the Word Cup as they beat New Zealand in a gripping and tense final. Alfie Reynolds, Stephen Jones, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe reflect on the match and tournament as a whole. They have conflicting views on whether the final was a great spectacle and also talk about the big refereeing decisions which saw All Blacks captain Sam Cane get sent off. Plus, they chat about Englan...

It's New Zealand versus South Africa in the Rugby World Cup final. Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe and Stephen Jones preview the match. They discuss the Springboks extraordinary team selection by going 7-1 on the bench and not having a back-up scrum-half. Plus, they reflect on the All Blacks' resurrection over the last year having gone from being branded as one of the worst New Zeala...

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Stephen Jones look back on the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup as the All Blacks and Springboks booked their spots in the final. They discuss England's heart breaking 15-16 defeat and how it is a platform for Steve Borthwick's side to build upon. Plus they discuss a much more one-sided semi-final as New Zealand hammered Argentina 44-6. Plus they name...

Ahead of the Rugby World Cup semi-finals between Argentina and New Zealand, as well as England versus South Africa, Alfie Reynolds is joined by Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Sam Warburton to preview all the action. They discuss how England might be able to produce an upset against the Springboks and all the big talking points ahead of the matches this weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy...

The Rugby World Cup quarter-finals lived up to the hype as four brilliant matches took place over the weekend with New Zealand, Argentina, England and South Africa progressing to the last four. Alfie Reynolds, Stephen Jones, Owen Slot and Chris Jones were in Paris for two of the best matches in world cup history, so they look back on the victories for the All Blacks and Springboks. Whilst, Alex Lo...

Four years ago South Africa won the Rugby World Cup for the third time! Francois Louw was a part of that success as they beat England in the final and explains to Will Kelleher how the Springboks won, having been underperforming just 18 months before. He chats about getting revenge on the host nation, Japan, for the infamous defeat they suffered in 2015, the importance of Siya Kolisi as the captai...

Alfie Reynolds is joined by Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe to look back on the pool stages at the Rugby World Cup and preview the quarter-final line-up. He also chats to Mark Palmer and Peter O'Reilly at the Stade de France following Ireland's victory over Scotland and Elgan Alderman reflects on Wales and Argentina's final pool fixtures as they meet in the quarter-finals this weekend. Hosted on Acast...

The 2011-2015 All Blacks are arguably the greatest international rugby team ever, having won back-to-back World Cups. But prior to that they were known as a side who always failed to deliver when the pressure was on. In this episode, Will Kelleher chats to New Zealand legend Conrad Smith about how they went from World Cup disappointment to domination. He explains how they changed their mindset, de...

Alfie Reynolds is joined by Alex Lowe, Mark Palmer and Elgan Alderman to look back on the latest action at the World Cup. Following rest weekends for England, Wales and Ireland they discuss whether the schedule at the tournament is working and how it can be improved in 2027. Mark looks back on Scotland's 84-0 victory over Romania and previews a massive game against Ireland this coming weekend. And...

This time on 'How to win the World Cup', Will Kelleher chats to the former Springbok Fourie du Preez who was a part of the 2007 South African winning side. They look back on the Boks second world title as they defeated England in the final. Should Mark Cueto's 'try' have been given? And what was it like having Eddie Jones as part of the coaching staff? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for mo...

Alfie Reynolds is joined by Stephen Jones, Stuart Barnes, Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe, Elgan Alderman and Peter O'Reilly to look back on the third round of fixtures at the Rugby World Cup. Steve and Stuart discuss the weekend as a whole and what stood out for them, Will and Alex have an update after England's victory over Chile and Alfie chats to Peter following Ireland's excellent win over South Afr...

How did England win the World Cup in 2003? On this episode Will Kelleher chats to Lawrence Dallaglio and Owen Slot about that glorious triumph 20 years ago. Lawrence explains what it was like watching that Wilkinson drop goal sail through the posts and how English rugby have never capitalised on the victory. Owen Slot was reporting on the tournament at the time and remembers what it was like to se...

Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Stephen Jones look back on the second weekend of action at the Rugby World Cup. They discuss unconvincing wins for England and Wales, as well as Fiji providing the highlight of the weekend with victory over Australia. Elgan Alderman joins the show to review Wales' win against Wales. Plus, the boys preview a massive weekend coming up and chat about a few minor nega...

This time on 'How to win the World Cup' Will Kelleher chats to the former Springbok Joel Stransky. One the most iconic rugby and sporting moments of all time happened at the 1995 World Cup, as Nelson Mandela handed over the William Web Ellis trophy on home to South Africa. Stransky kicked the winning drop goal in the final at Ellis Park as the Springboks silenced a rampaging Jonah Lomu. Hosted on...

Alfie Reynolds is joined by Will Kelleher, Owen Slot and Steve Jones to look back on the bulk of the opening weekend action at the Rugby World Cup. They discuss the atmosphere out in France, including a bouncing couple of days in Marseille, plus England's great win and the curtain raiser between France and New Zealand. Plus, Alfie catches up with Mark Palmer following Scotland's disappointing defe...

This time on how to win the World Cup Will Kelleher chats to John Eales who was a member of the victorious Wallabies sides from 1991 and 1999. He explains what it was like to win Australia's maiden title in '91, at the start of his career, and the '99 tournament when he was the captain. He recounts both triumphs, which came pre and then post rugby turning professional. Hosted on Acast. See acast.c...

Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe, Owen Slot and producer-turned presenter Alfie preview the 2023 Rugby World Cup! Ahead of France and the All Blacks getting the tournament underway on Friday they look ahead to each pool. Including, the group of death involving Ireland, Scotland and the Springboks, an intriguing Pool C with Australia, Fiji and Wales, plus they talk about England and the massive concerns ab...

How do you win the Rugby World Cup? On this episode Will Kelleher chats to the 1987 winning All Black Sean Fitzpatrick, about how New Zealand won the inaugural tournament. He recounts stories from a time before professionalism and how their world cup triumph was very different to the scenes of today. This is the first in a special series speaking to a member of each winning world cup side. Hosted...

Stephen Jones, Alan Dymock and Elgan Alderman look back on the final weekend of Rugby World Cup warm-up matches. They chat about Fiji's historic first ever win over England at Twickenham, as well the Springboks scintillating victory over the All Blacks and Eddie Jones' Wallabies losing to France. Plus, now that all eyes are on the start of the tournament they ask who are the favourites to win it?...

Stephen Jones, Mark Evans and Mark Palmer look back on the weekend's matches as England put in another underwhelming performance, Wales were hammered by South Africa and Fiji faced France. Mark Evans brings us up to date on his work with the Fijian Drua in Super Rugby, the boys react to Wales 33 player squad for the World Cup and Mark Palmer discusses the hope building within Scotland. Plus, they...

Will Kelleher, Stuart Barnes and Peter O'Reilly reflect on the World Cup warm-up matches over the weekend. They chat about a dire match at Twickenham as England beat Wales in unconvincing fashion, as well as France and Scotland playing out a brilliant match in St Etienne. They also discuss France fly-half Romain Ntamack being ruled out of the tournament, Jack van Poortvliet's injury and Owen Farre...

Will Kelleher, Stephen Jones and Alex Lowe are at Twickenham to react to Steve Borthwick's England squad for the Rugby World Cup. After breaking the news of what the official squad would be over the weekend they discuss some of the big talking points, including Henry Slade missing out. Plus, they look back on all the World Cup warm-up results including big wins for Scotland and Wales. Hosted on Ac...

Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe and Stephen Jones return to begin the build-up to the Rugby World Cup. With Steve Borthwick naming his England squad in a week's time, they select their 33 man England team who they would take to France. Plus, they reflect on the Rugby Championship and how New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina are looking. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more inform...

Saracens beat Sale to win the Premiership and Munster's famous victory over the Stormers in Cape Town as they were crowned URC champions. Plus, they cover the fate of London Irish as the deadline for their takeover to be completed draws near, they chat about the Barbarians, Premier 15s and name their God or Goddess of the week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.