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- The Ruck
127 episodes
The Ruck, page 5
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.
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Women's Rugby World Cup final preview!
Preview of the Women’s Rugby World Cup final at Twickenham (England vs Canada), including England’s “demons” from past World Cup finals, Canada’s underdog narrative vs funding, and what tactical…
23 Sep 2025 · 40m · 19 chapters'PREM' season preview - A new Red Bull era and Thursday night rugby
Season preview for the Gallagher Premiership renamed “the Gallagher Prem,” with emphasis on Thursday-night opening matches, league rebranding, and major club changes—especially Newcastle’s takeover…
22 Sep 2025 · 1h 4m · 20 chaptersWere Ireland robbed of a World Cup semi-final?
Preview of the Women’s Rugby World Cup semifinals (England vs France; New Zealand vs Canada), plus discussion of quarterfinal controversies and a Rugby Championship round-up.
16 Sep 2025 · 46m · 13 chaptersIs an England v New Zealand final the best thing for the World Cup?
The Ruck podcast episode discusses whether a Women’s Rugby World Cup final between England and New Zealand would be “the best thing” for the tournament, alongside pool-to-knockout storylines and…
9 Sep 2025 · 37m · 11 chaptersAustralia and USA in Pool A shootout & South Africa produce the shock of the tournament
The Ruck reviews key Women’s Rugby World Cup Pool A results (Australia vs USA 31-31; England vs Australia upcoming) and the tournament’s “shock” upset: South Africa beating Italy 29-24.
2 Sep 2025 · 36m · 16 chaptersAre one sided score lines an issue at the World Cup? When will LRZ return for Wales?
Opening weekend of the Women’s Rugby World Cup, whether one-sided scorelines are an issue; Wales’ struggles; plus Lewis Rees-Zamit’s return to rugby union and early Rugby Championship shocks.
25 Aug 2025 · 38m · 14 chaptersCan the Red Roses finally win the world cup?
Preview of the Women’s Rugby World Cup (especially England’s Red Roses) and a quick look at the Rugby Championship after Australia’s historic win over South Africa.
18 Aug 2025 · 35m · 13 chaptersGoodbye from Australia - Lions tour review
The Times’ journalist rugby podcast “The Ruck” reviews the 2025 British & Irish Lions tour of Australia (tests won 2-1) and debates whether the Lions were “lucky” or simply benefited from Wallabies…
4 Aug 2025 · 53m · 23 chaptersWas the 2025 Lions series a missed opportunity for Australia?
The Ruck discusses the 2025 Lions Tour’s third Test in Sydney—an intense, rain-soaked match delayed by lightning—and whether Australia missed a chance to win the series 3-0.
2 Aug 2025 · 40m · 16 chaptersLions eye famous whitewash - 3rd test preview
Preview and squad-selection reaction for the British & Irish Lions’ third Test in Australia (aiming to win 3-0), plus discussion of Wallabies team news and who needs the result more.
31 Jul 2025 · 33m · 13 chapters"The Incident", The Australian view and the Lions drive for 3-0
Australian perspective on the Lions Tour after the second Test, focusing on “the incident” (a disputed penalty/head-contact call), the Wallabies’ late collapse after leading by 18 points, and what a…
29 Jul 2025 · 29m · 15 chaptersAn all-time classic at the MCG as the Lions win the series
The Times’ rugby podcast The Ruck reviews the Lions’ historic comeback at the MCG to win the series in Australia, highlighting Hugo Keenan’s final try and the match’s turning points, plus debate over…
26 Jul 2025 · 37m · 14 chaptersAustralia vs Lions - 2nd test preview
The Ruck (Times rugby podcast) previews the Lions vs Wallabies 2nd Test at the MCG, focusing on team selections, especially Gary Ringrose’s concussion withdrawal, and Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies response.
24 Jul 2025 · 41m · 19 chaptersHave the First Nations & Pasifika XV given the Wallabies a blueprint to beat the Lions?
The Ruck episode discusses the Lions’ tour match vs the First Nations & Pasifika XV and whether it offers a “blueprint” for how the Wallabies should beat the Lions in the second Test.
22 Jul 2025 · 24m · 10 chaptersThe Lions beat the Wallabies in Brisbane to go 1-0 up in the series
The Ruck episode covers the British & Irish Lions’ first-test win over Australia (Wallabies) in Brisbane, going 1-0 up in the series and heading to the MCG for a chance to wrap it up.
19 Jul 2025 · 26m · 13 chaptersWallabies and Lions name their 1st test squads. Is it advantage Lions?
The Ruck previews the first Lions vs Wallabies Test in Brisbane, focusing on team selection and whether the Lions have an advantage.
17 Jul 2025 · 28m · 9 chaptersDo the Lions call ups prove the tours don’t work any more?
The Ruck (Times/Sunday Times) episode debates whether the Lions’ frequent “call-ups” prove the tour format no longer works.
14 Jul 2025 · 43m · 20 chaptersCowan-Dickie & Ringrose out, so who plays the first Lions Test?
The episode is a Lions tour wrap from Adelaide Oval, looking ahead to the first Test in Brisbane. It focuses on injury-driven selection headaches and how the Lions might line up without key backs.
12 Jul 2025 · 25m · 8 chaptersThe Lions beat the Brumbies but are there more questions than answers?
The Ruck (journalist rugby podcast) discusses the British & Irish Lions’ win over the Brumbies, but argues the team still has “more questions than answers” ahead of the first Test in 10 days.
9 Jul 2025 · 28m · 12 chaptersIs this the Lions team for the first test?
The Ruck (journalist rugby podcast) breaks down Lions tour team selection ahead of the first Test vs Australia, focusing on whether the named side is effectively the Test XI, what’s still undecided…
7 Jul 2025 · 47m · 16 chaptersThe Lions win again but are problems emerging?
The episode is a post-match rugby discussion from The Ruck about the British and Irish Lions beating the New South Wales Waratahs, and whether problems are emerging before the Brumbies match in…
5 Jul 2025 · 25m · 9 chaptersThe Owen Farrell selection dissected
The Lions’ 2025 squad selection of Owen Farrell, dissecting why he was called up after Elliot Daly’s injury, the risks around his recent lack of match play and concussion return-to-play, and how his…
4 Jul 2025 · 32m · 16 chaptersReds vs Lions review as Andy Farrell has another big injury concern
The episode is a post-match review of a British & Irish Lions tour game in Australia (Reds vs Lions), with hosts discussing the atmosphere at Suncorp Stadium and how the match played out as expected:…
2 Jul 2025 · 31m · 11 chaptersBen White replaces Tomos Williams, plus the Englishman at the Reds
The episode mixes (1) Lions tour match build-up for the Queensland Reds vs the British & Irish Lions, focusing on squad changes and selection logic, and (2) a Reds interview about culture and facing…
30 Jun 2025 · 50m · 18 chapters