The Ruck Rugby Podcast

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? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie, Alex and Will are back, following defeats for Wales and England over the weekend, to talk about the future of Steve Borthwick and Warren Gatland. Mark Palmer and Peter O'Reilly discuss wins for Ireland and Scotland. Plus, the boys chat about reports of a breakaway franchise league and whether it could revolutionise domestic rugby or destroy the current system and they react to the nominations for World Rugby's player of the year. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following England's 20-29 defeat to South Africa, Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Owen Slot and Will Kelleher review the action at Twickenham. They discuss how much pressure Steve Borthwick is under following another defeat and whether the perception of England as a rugby nation needs to be altered. Plus, they praise the Springboks for another hard fought win when not at their best and the brilliant performance from Cheslin Kolbe. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds and Alex Lowe look ahead to England v South Africa this weekend. Courtney Lawes joins the pod to explain what it is like facing the Springboks, the challenge England are coming up against and the bad blood between the two sides after last year's World Cup semi-final. The boys also react to Steve Borthwick and Rassie Erasmus' team selections and ask whether playing the back-to-back world champions is the toughest thing to do in rugby and how England can get a much needed win? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are back at Twickenham to react to England's defeat against Australia. They ask where does it leave England's Autumn campaign? Why do they keep losing tight matches? And, have Australia shown they can compete on next years British and Irish Lions tour? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of England facing Australia this weekend Alfie Reynolds and Will Kelleher speak to the Sydney Morning Herald's Iain Payten about Joe Schmidt's Wallabies, including the state of Aussie rugby and whether they will be competitive for the British and Irish Lions tour next year. Peter O'Reilly also joins the pod to preview Ireland's match against New Zealand on Friday night. Plus, Will and Alfie discuss the big talking points from England's team selection. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe and Owen Slot were at Twickenham to watch England fall narrowly short against New Zealand again! From an empty Twickenham they react to another slim defeat in a game where they were leading and also discuss Joe Marler's retirement from international rugby. Plus, Mark Palmer joins the pod to assess Scotland's victory over Fiji and look ahead to an Autumn defining match-up against South Africa. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England's Autumn campaign gets underway this weekend against New Zealand so Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher look ahead to the match. They discuss Steve Borthwick's team selection including Henry Slade and Ben Spencer's inclusion, as well as the importance of the match for Steve Borthwick's side. And, they discuss Joe Marler's comments on the Haka where he questioned it's place in the sport and how teams should be allowed to challenge it more. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the November internationals Alfie Reynolds and Will Kelleher preview England's matches. They ask 'what is success?' for Steve Borthwick's side over the next month and hear from scrum-half Ben Spencer who is aiming to nail down a spot in the side. They chat to New Zealand CEO Mark Robinson about World Rugby's elections, the 20 minute red card trial and taking Nations Championship matches to the Middle East. Plus, they round up the Premiership after the opening 6 rounds and provide an update on the England player contracts. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

2025 has the potential to be a seminal year for women's rugby, as England hosts the World Cup. The Red Roses are the heavy favorites, so could the tournament do what the Euros did for the England women's football team? Alfie Reynolds and Elgan Alderman discuss how the major nations are shaping up ahead of next year and speak with Chief of Women's Rugby at World Rugby Sally Horrox about the exciting future for the sport and some of the challenges it faces. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

World Rugby are trialling 20 minute red cards in the upcoming November internationals. Will Kelleher, Stuart Barnes and Alfie Reynolds explain why and ask whether it is a good initiative or complicates an already confusing disciplinary process. Will speaks to England and Bath second-row Charlie Ewels to get a players perspective on the new rule. Plus the boys also discuss England's squad for their matches against New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Japan and review the Premiership over the weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Elgan Alderman are back with the pod to run through all the action over the weekend. As well as rounding up 'derby weekend' in the Premiership, they discuss the possibility of 'away sections' in rugby and whether it would be a good idea or does it go against rugby's traditional values? Plus, an update on the expanded Championship and if it's fair for Wasps, Worcester and London Irish to be parachuted back into the second tier. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of 'Derby Weekend' in the Gallagher Premiership Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Alfie Reynolds ask what is the biggest rivalry in the division? Will chats to Stuart Barnes who played for Bristol and Bath, as well as the former Northampton back-row Tom Wood for his insight into the East Midlands derby against Leicester. The boys also look back on the Premiership action over the weekend, dissect Steve Borthwick's England training squad and provide an update on Borthwick's attempts to rebuild his coaching setup. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

How big of a threat is French rugby to the English domestic game? Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Alfie Reynolds discuss whether the booming French system poses an existential threat to England, it follows a number of high profile England players deciding to play their rugby in France. To help them answer that question, Will chats to the Brive president Simon Gillham who discusses financial regulation, a successful TV deal and promotion/relegation. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England have announced a new defence coach in Joe El-Abd but he'll take on the position part-time, whilst Felix Jones serves his notice period from Ireland. It's all a bit messy so Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Alfie Reynolds answer the big questions on what it means for Steve Borthwick and England ahead of the Autumn. Plus, they look back on the Premiership action at the weekend. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.