- Podcasts
- The Ruck
127 episodes
The Ruck, page 4
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.
Ask in Claude
Ask in ChatGPTAll episodes, page 4
What's happening at Harlequins!?
The Ruck (Times) discusses what’s going wrong at Harlequins and what CEO Laurie Dalrymple says will change.
5 Jan 2026 · 49m · 23 chaptersOur World XV of 2025!
The Ruck’s “World XV of 2025” debate—selecting a 23-man (modern) team of the year, with heavy discussion of South Africa’s rotation, the Lions “tariff” for home nations, and who deserves spots at…
29 Dec 2025 · 59m · 24 chaptersHarlequins humiliated and salary cap secrets
The Ruck (Times rugby podcast) episode covers two main things: Premiership match fallout and the mechanics of the Gallagher Premiership transfer market, including salary-cap “secrets.”
22 Dec 2025 · 57m · 20 chaptersHow to save the Champions Cup, scrums and the Champ
The episode of Ruck the Journalist rugby podcast focuses on fixing the European Champions Cup format, improving scrums, and the promotion/relegation “championship to Premiership” system.
15 Dec 2025 · 56m · 21 chaptersIs this Bath's year in Europe? Plus hybrid hero André Esterhuizen
The Ruck episode debates whether the Champions Cup is too bloated and lacks jeopardy early on, arguing England has too many qualifying teams (8 of 10) and that rotation/rest makes some group matches…
8 Dec 2025 · 1h 7m · 21 chaptersWhere does Welsh rugby go from here?
The episode discusses where Welsh rugby goes next after a grim Wales-South Africa weekend, focusing on optics, discipline, and the health of the domestic game.
1 Dec 2025 · 49m · 16 chaptersAre unbeaten England now South Africa's closest rivals?
England’s unbeaten run and whether they’re the closest rivals to South Africa; South Africa’s Aviva Stadium win over Ireland as a “scrum statement”; and a major debate over November officiating…
24 Nov 2025 · 1h 2m · 23 chaptersInjury-hit England aim for a perfect autumn
The Ruck previews the final weekend of November internationals (England vs Argentina; plus Wales-New Zealand, Ireland-South Africa, Scotland-Tonga, Italy-Chile, France-Australia).
21 Nov 2025 · 38m · 14 chaptersThe Nations Championship explained, Pumas prowl & Scotland suffer
Weekend Six Nations/Rugby Championship fallout plus an explainer of the new cross-hemisphere “Nations Championship” (league tables in July and November, then finals weekend).
17 Nov 2025 · 55m · 19 chaptersA George Ford masterclass, as England ‘batter’ New Zealand
England’s 33-19 Test win over New Zealand at Twickenham is framed as a “glass ceiling” breakthrough: England’s ninth-ever All Blacks victory, their second-largest margin (behind 2012).
15 Nov 2025 · 33m · 19 chaptersRichie McCaw previews England vs New Zealand
A rugby-focused preview of England vs New Zealand at Twickenham, framed as a defining “statement” match for England under coach Steve Borthwick, plus discussion of tactics (aerial game, kicking,…
13 Nov 2025 · 56m · 30 chaptersScotland miss All Blacks history as England plan their own shot at glory
The Ruck episode reviews a busy November rugby weekend and looks ahead to upcoming internationals.
10 Nov 2025 · 47m · 24 chaptersEngland beat Fiji (eventually). Now the All Blacks...
The Ruck (Times/Sunday Times) reviews England’s 2nd Autumn Test win over Fiji at Twickenham and looks ahead to England vs New Zealand.
9 Nov 2025 · 33m · 15 chaptersWhy is Maro Itoje on the bench?
The Ruck episode focuses on England’s team selection for their Test vs Fiji and broader autumn campaign storylines.
6 Nov 2025 · 33m · 11 chaptersSteven Kitshoff: Life threatening injury, France vs Springboks and bomb squad beer
The podcast opens by reviewing the November Internationals’ opening weekend, debating flat atmospheres and “clunky” match production (Twickenham England-Australia; Ireland-New Zealand in Chicago),…
3 Nov 2025 · 52m · 23 chaptersEngland's 'bomb squad' downs Wallabies
England's 'Bomb Squad' Downs Wallabies
1 Nov 2025 · 27mEngland's 'New Phase' November; Wallabies Preview
England’s “new phase” for November internationals, previewing the England vs Australia match at Twickenham, plus discussion of Wallabies squad changes after the Lions tour.
30 Oct 2025 · 33m · 9 chaptersWarburton on Welsh rugby's future & Freeman the centre
England’s November squad selections and tactics (notably Tommy Freeman at centre and George Ford at fly-half), plus Welsh rugby’s structural overhaul (WRU cutting regions from four to three) and Sam…
27 Oct 2025 · 57m · 20 chaptersCaluori's surprise inclusion, Willis' shock departure - England's November squad!
The Ruck episode focuses on Steve Borthwick’s England training squad ahead of the November Autumn Internationals, plus two major talking points: Noah Caluori’s surprise fast-track inclusion and Tom…
20 Oct 2025 · 48m · 19 chaptersDoes rugby want R360?
The Ruck episode focuses mainly on R360, a proposed global rugby franchise league.
13 Oct 2025 · 1h 1m · 25 chaptersTwo Lions on the pod: Fin Smith staying at Saints & Tommy Freeman’s positional switch.
Northampton Saints’ Derby weekend vs Leicester Tigers, with England and British & Irish Lions returnees Finn Smith and Tommy Freeman.
9 Oct 2025 · 43m · 22 chaptersLewis Moody's heart-breaking MND diagnosis - what is sport's connection to the disease?
The episode of The Ruck (Times/Sunday Times) leads with Lewis Moody’s announcement that he has been diagnosed with MND, then debates whether elite rugby increases MND risk.
6 Oct 2025 · 54m · 23 chaptersThe Champ, The Prem, and the future of English club rugby
The episode compares the atmosphere and growth lessons from the Women’s World Cup and Twickenham with the business and governance challenges facing English club rugby.
30 Sep 2025 · 1h 7m · 22 chaptersRed Roses glory as England win home World Cup
The Ruck (Times rugby podcast) celebrates England’s Red Roses winning the 2025 Women’s World Cup at Twickenham on home soil, ending a hoodoo of six prior final defeats.
27 Sep 2025 · 27m · 10 chapters