The Ruck Rugby Podcast

The Ruck Rugby Podcast

The Times

The World Cup Rugby Podcast from The Times & The Sunday Times Stephen Jones, Owen Slot and a selection of rugby personalities provide insight and analysis on the latest events in the game, including big name interviews and forthright analysis.

44 minutes 50 seconds

Is the Champions Cup less competitive than ever?

How many teams can truly win this year's Champions Cup? Following the conclusion of the pool stages Alfie Reynolds, Stuart Barnes and Peter O'Reilly look back on the action at the weekend and question whether anyone outside of Leinster, Toulouse or Bordeaux can win it. They discuss Beno Obano's red card for Bath in Dublin, whether out of the English clubs remaining Northampton are the team who could go the furthest and some big injury news for Scotland and England ahead of the 6 Nations. Plus, they touch on Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy and France's squads which were announced last week.
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20 January 2025, 12:07 pm
55 minutes 22 seconds

England 6 Nations squad - Steve Borthwick interview!

England have named their squad ahead of the 2025 6 Nations and Maro Itoje is the new captain, replacing Jamie George. Alfie, Will and Alex are at Twickenham to react to the squad and the change in captaincy. Plus, they're joined by head coach Steve Borthwick who explains why Itoje is the right man to now lead the team, whether the Premiership prepares English players for test matches and how good this young side can be in the years to come.
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15 January 2025, 6:00 am
53 minutes 6 seconds

How long will Bill Sweeney survive?

It's another week and another update on the future of RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney. Alfie is back from Australia so he and Will try to explain what is happening and whether Sweeney will survive the latest attempt to remove him. Plus, they look ahead to the final round of pool fixtures in the Champions Cup and England's 6 Nations squad, which will be announced on Tuesday.
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13 January 2025, 3:40 pm
58 minutes 45 seconds

Eben Etzebeth exclusive!

Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are here for the first podcast of 2025!

And because it is the first podcast of the year we have decided to kick things off with a bang! South Africa's double World Cup winning lock Eben Etzebeth joins us to reflect on his sensational 2024, his aims for the year ahead and his thoughts on South African sides in Europe and the huge clash this weekend with Toulouse!

Plus.... Wlll and Alex give their halfway report on the Gallagher Premiership with the competition at its midway point, and we answer some of your criticism regarding our Lions Test XV

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6 January 2025, 6:44 pm
1 hour 3 minutes

Picking our British and Irish Lions matchday 23

With 2025 right around the corner Alfie, Alex and Will look ahead to the British and Irish Lions tour next year. They sit down to select their starting Lions matchday twenty-three for the first test against the Wallabies and run into some interesting selection dilemmas! Should they pick players based in France? Does Owen Farrell go on the tour? And, is it dangerous to go with a 6-2 bench split?
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30 December 2024, 6:00 am
41 minutes 58 seconds

Our men's 15-a-side team of the year!

As we reach the end of 2024 Alfie, Will and Alex have named their 15-a-side men's team for the year. Does Antoine Dupont get selected despite missing a chunk of the season to play 7s at the Olympics? Do any English players get in? And, what weighting do they give to the club game as well as international matches?
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23 December 2024, 6:00 am
49 minutes 40 seconds

Should South African teams remain in the Champions Cup?

After the second round of action in Europe, Will, Alex and Elgan discuss if the South African teams are a help or hinderance to the competition

Stormers head coach John Dobson was on the receiving end of a heavy defeat away at Harlequins, he joins the podcast to explain how he believes South African sides can remain competitive in the competition, and says it's too early to consider removing them.

Northampton made it two wins from two in the competition, they defeated the Bulls away from home, and we speak to Alex Coles about the win and if it can be a springboard for success in their Premiership campaign.

Plus we get an update on 'bonus gate' with the RFU set to hold a meeting later this week.

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16 December 2024, 3:19 pm
42 minutes 46 seconds

Did we actually learn anything from the Champions Cup opening round?

Following the opening round of the Champions Cup Alfie and Will look back on the action and question whether the fixtures revealed anything they didn't already know about the teams and the competition. They also discuss a disappointing set of results for the English clubs and look ahead to the games this coming weekend. Plus, they have an update on the RFU bonuses 'scandal' and the latest on Coventry wanting to earn promotion to the Premiership.
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9 December 2024, 4:31 pm
1 hour 3 minutes

What impact will the RFU bonuses have on the game?

Following the news that Bill Sweeney and other RFU executives received hefty bonuses, Alfie Reynolds and Alex Lowe explain why this has happened when the union posted record losses. Alex reveals the reaction it has provoked from senior England players, RFU employees and the grassroots clubs and why it is another sign that those at the top of the RFU are out of touch. Plus, Alfie chats to the former Ireland international Simon Zebo to preview the start of the Champions Cup and the new women's 15s player of the year Ellie Kildunne.
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2 December 2024, 4:04 pm
1 hour 3 minutes

Have England gone backwards this Autumn?

England beat Japan on Sunday to finish their Autumn so Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher discuss where the team currently are and ask if they have an identity crisis? Alex chats to former England psychologist Dan Abrahams about the what they can do from a mental standpoint to change their tight losses into victories, Alfie and Mark Palmer reflect on Scotland ending the year with a win over the Wallabies, plus the boys talk about Warren Gatland's future and the World Player of the Year winners.
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25 November 2024, 6:29 pm
42 minutes 28 seconds

Eddie Jones' chance for England revenge?

England's November internationals end this weekend as they host Eddie Jones' Japan at Twickenham. Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe look ahead to the match and ask what England have to gain following three losses on the bounce and question how many changes Steve Borthwick will make. Plus, Owen Slot joins to discuss Eddie Jones and his England tenure after his regime was put back in the headlines this month.
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21 November 2024, 6:00 am
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