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127 episodes
The Ruck
by The Times · English
The podcast they play in heaven. Join Alfie, Alex, Will and Charlie along with the best of The Times and The Sunday Times rugby writers as they ruck over the best games and biggest names from the domestic season and the international calendar. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
Latest episodes
All episodes
Who is playing for an England World Cup spot?
England’s team selection for the Japan test and what it means for World Cup squad spots; plus Japan’s likely tactics, Scotland vs Australia preview, and other Nations Championship weekend fixtures.
12 Nov 2026 · 48m · 17 chaptersAn evening with Lewis Moody
An evening with former England and Leicester back-row Lewis Moody, promoting his book and discussing how he processes adversity, including his life-limiting diagnosis of motor neurone disease (MND).
11 Nov 2026 · 1h 17m · 22 chaptersNations Championship Review: Is it time for Pollock to start?
Review of the opening Nations Championship weekend and England’s 7-try, record-points win over Australia; debate over England’s World Cup build, selection (including whether Henry Pollock should…
9 Nov 2026 · 53m · 19 chaptersEngland dismantle dismal Wallabies
This episode is a rugby-focused discussion of England’s 45-22 win over Australia at Twickenham to kick off November.
8 Nov 2026 · 35m · 16 chaptersDo England have a culture problem?
The England rugby team’s culture and leadership under head coach Steve Borthwick, and whether “empathy/empowerment” issues are harming alignment and performance ahead of the autumn opener vs…
6 Nov 2026 · 55m · 17 chaptersNations Championship preview: Who should be England's fly-half?
Preview of November international rugby and the Nations Championship/Heimisphere Shield finals; major focus on England’s selection questions, especially who should start at fly-half vs Australia,…
2 Nov 2026 · 44m · 14 chaptersRain-soaked Prem thrills, Borthwick's squad and Mitchell's England dilemma
The Ruck episode covers a wet, windy Premiership weekend, the London derby at the Stoop, and Steve Borthwick’s England training squad ahead of November internationals.
26 Oct 2026 · 58m · 15 chaptersDerby day ding dongs! Inside Leicester Tigers
The Ruck’s Leicester Tigers derby weekend build-up ahead of Leicester vs Northampton Saints, focusing on club identity, leadership, and what makes the Tigers–Saints rivalry “real.” It includes a…
21 Oct 2026 · 50m · 16 chaptersWill Spain host the World Cup? Plus England’s European struggles and the Red Roses lose
The Ruck rugby podcast covers (1) the opening weekend of the Champions Cup and how English clubs fared, including key matches and implications for later knockout seeding; (2) Spain’s bid to host the…
19 Oct 2026 · 58m · 19 chaptersWild scores and thin crowds: how healthy is the Prem?
The Ruck (Times) discusses the early Premiership Rugby season: unpredictable results, high-scoring trends, low crowds, synthetic-pitch controversy, and World Rugby law changes.
12 Oct 2026 · 53m · 15 chaptersAnother Harlequins crisis and Venter bottles the media
The Ruck (Times/Sunday Times) discusses Premiership rugby after round two, then pivots to Saracens’ media avoidance.
5 Oct 2026 · 52m · 21 chaptersGloucester, Bristol or Pollock’s hair: Who made the biggest Prem statement?
Recap of opening weekend in the Gallagher Premiership, focusing on statement-away wins (Gloucester 45-24 Exeter, Bristol at Sale, and Saracens’ dramatic Leicester win), plus standout Premiership…
28 Sep 2026 · 35m · 20 chaptersWelsh Chaos to Gloucester: Jac Morgan & Dewi Lake
The Ruck (Times rugby podcast) special episode from Gloucester about new Premiership signings and the move from Welsh rugby amid ongoing WRU uncertainty.
24 Sep 2026 · 34m · 10 chaptersFrom Sarries & Brive to Sale: Lozowski, Lawes & a possible England re-call
The Ruck previews Sale Sharks’ season and discusses how new signings—Courtney Laws and Alex Lozowski—could transform the club’s competitiveness, especially after Sale’s injury-hit, underperforming…
23 Sep 2026 · 40m · 10 chaptersSeason Preview: Who will win the 2026/2027 Gallagher Prem?
The episode is a Prem Rugby season preview from The Ruck (Times/Sunday Times), recorded at Twickenham’s Prem launch day.
21 Sep 2026 · 1h · 21 chaptersWill a 6 Nations match happen in the USA?
The Ruck discusses South Africa’s 3-1 series win over New Zealand in America (fourth Test in Baltimore), whether a Six Nations match could be staged in the USA, and why England coach Steve Borthwick…
14 Sep 2026 · 44m · 10 chaptersBoks vs All Blacks: Does the 4th test count?
The Springboks’ 2-1 lead over the All Blacks after the third test in South Africa, whether the upcoming fourth test in Baltimore “counts,” and what the series implies for the 2025 Rugby World Cup;…
7 Sep 2026 · 39m · 15 chaptersIs the 3rd test the unofficial decider? Plus: Did Rassie break the rules?
The episode is a rugby-focused review of Springboks vs All Blacks Test 2 in Cape Town, plus a debate on whether Rassie Erasmus broke rules ahead of the match.
31 Aug 2026 · 39m · 10 chaptersAn All Blacks win for the ages: Is Pollard South Africa's answer?
The Ruck episode reviews the opening Springboks vs All Blacks Test (South Africa 16, New Zealand 33) and sets up the second match in Cape Town.
24 Aug 2026 · 38m · 18 chaptersThe Greatest Rivalry: Is this New Zealand's ultimate test?
Preview of the Springboks vs All Blacks first Test in South Africa, framed as the “greatest rivalry” and a 30-years-on return of the All Blacks’ biggest challenge in SA.
21 Aug 2026 · 36m · 13 chapters
Rugby’s Greatest Rivals| Episode 6: The Incomparables and a rivalry reimagined
Rugby’s Greatest Rivals Episode 6 recounts the All Blacks vs Springboks rivalry through the 1996 “Incomparables” tour, framed as more than sport—linked to South Africa’s racism, politics, and…
20 Aug 2026 · 26m · 12 chapters
Rugby’s Greatest Rivals | Episode 5: Readmission for a Rainbow Nation
How South Africa’s return to international rugby (1992) and the 1995 Rugby World Cup—especially the Springboks’ rivalry with the All Blacks—became a tool for reconciliation amid apartheid’s end,…
19 Aug 2026 · 25m · 14 chapters
Rugby’s Greatest Rivals | Episode 4: Rebellion to isolation
The 1985–86 New Zealand “rebel tour” to apartheid South Africa and how the Cavaliers (an unofficial All Blacks–style team) helped drive rugby’s eventual isolation of the Springboks, alongside themes…
18 Aug 2026 · 20m · 7 chapters
Rugby’s Greatest Rivals | Episode 3: The Flour Bomb test
The 1981 Springboks tour of New Zealand and the “Flour Bomb test” at Eden Park, framed as part of the wider South Africa–All Blacks rivalry and the era’s anti-apartheid politics, protest, and…
17 Aug 2026 · 16m · 9 chaptersWe use cookies.They keep VO running smoothly and help us improve it. Privacy policy