The Ruck Rugby Podcast

Alfie Reynolds and Egan Alderman look back on all the biggest stories across the last week. Including the possibility of a rugby world cup heading to the Middle East, Andy Farrell selecting players based in France and a future British and Irish Lions tour against Les Bleus. Plus, they review the Premiership and 6 Nations action over the weekend by asking if Saracens are devaluing the Champions Cup? And Elgan's quirky idea for how the Red Roses can get more competitive fixtures. Owen Slot also joins the pod to reflect on RFU CEO Bill Sweeney surviving a motion to remove him as the head of the governing body. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gallagher Premiership returned this weekend, following it's break for the men's 6 Nations. Alfie, Alex and Will look back on the action which included some high scoring matches, in particular a wild game between Bristol and Exeter. They discuss whether the Premiership - whilst being entertaining - is preparing players for international rugby, the latest on Newcastle's future and Leicester's rise under Michael Cheika. Plus, Elgan Alderman chats about the opening round in the women's 6 Nations as England beat Italy. And, the boys look ahead to the SGM later this week which could decide Bill Sweeney's future and the possibility of moving away from Twickenham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the conclusion of the men's 6 Nations, Alfie, Will and Alex are back to pick their matchday 23 for the British & Irish Lions to take on the Wallabies in the first test. They selected a team at the end of 2024 so are back to discuss who has dropped out and who has played their way into contention. Has Marcus Smith's chances been hampered by playing full-back for England? Is Maro Itoje now their choice of captain? And, are Ireland still the dominant nation represented in the matchday squad? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the conclusion of the 6 Nations, Alfie, Alex and Will review Super Saturday as France won the title and England humbled Wales in Cardiff. They discuss if Maro Itoje is now the front runner to captain the British and Irish Lions? What happens if Andy Farrell doesn't want to select any Welsh players? And, whether France can now go on and dominate the championship for the next few years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are in Cardiff ahead of the final round of the Six Nations. They look forward to 'Super Saturday' with Ireland, England and France all in the hunt for the title and they go through Steve Borthwick's bold England team selection. Plus, they ask if there is a chance of an upset this weekend? Whether Scotland can stop the French party? And, how big a role the 'Cardiff factor' has to play in England's match with Wales? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final weekend in the Six Nations is set up nicely after France produced one of their great performances to beat Ireland in Dublin. Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher review the weekend and preview 'Super Saturday' with France, Ireland and England all vying for the title. Mark Palmer also looks back on Scotland's victory over Wales and questions whether they can cause an upset in Paris this weekend. Plus, the boys react to the news that the British & Irish Lions will announce their squad to tour Australia on 8th May in front of a live audience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the penultimate weekend in the Six Nations, Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher look ahead to the action. They ask whether 'maverick' fly-halves, such as Marcus Smith, don't suit international rugby after he was named on the bench for England against Italy. They also discuss Henry Slade not being involved and Jamie George reaching his 100th England cap. Plus, France have named a 7-1 bench split ahead of their trip to Ireland, is that going to become an increasing issue for World Rugby? And, who will win between Scotland and Wales? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman and coaching consultant Ben Pegna join Alex, Will and Alfie to preview Ireland vs France. They discuss the contrasting styles of play, the rugby philosophy in France and the rise of Sam Prendergast, plus, how the title could be decided this weekend in Dublin. The boys also look ahead to Scotland v Wales and England against Italy, including whether England need to produce a more all round performance. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following his time in the England camp before the Six Nations, David Walsh joins Alfie Reynolds and Alex Lowe. He explains what it was like being embedded with the team over two and a half days, how it's changed his perspective on what the squad is trying to achieve and his view on Steve Borthwick. Plus they debate which out of Ireland's tight win over Wales or France's dominant performance against Italy is better preparation for the two teams' showdown in round 4 and discuss the Welsh resurgence under Matt Sherratt and why it's pivotal for the whole championship. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England defeated Scotland 16-15 at Twickenham to win the Calcutta Cup for the first time in five years and keep their chances of winning the Six Nations alive. Alfie Reynolds, Mark Palmer, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher look back on a disjointed match in which Scotland wasted a number of opportunities. They ask if Gregor Townsend's side were unlucky, what went wrong for Finn Russell from the tee and where both sides go from here. Plus, what does the result and performances mean for a number of British and Irish Lions hopefuls? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds, Mark Palmer, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe preview the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham this weekend. Mark is at the Scotland camp and discusses Finn Russell starting and whether the underdog tag helps Gregor Townsend's side. Whilst Alfie, Alex and Will are at the England training base and react to Ted Hill replacing George Martin in the matchday 23, why Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has now had shoulder surgery and how massive the match at Twickenham is for both sides. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are joined by Sam Warburton to preview round three of the Six Nations. They look at the issues facing Welsh rugby following Warren Gatland's departure and question how much of an impact the interim head coach Matt Sherratt will have on the squad. Plus they look ahead to the Calcutta Cup between England and Scotland, discuss which openside flanker will miss out on the British and Irish Lions tour and debate the England fly-half position. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Warren Gatland has left his role as Wales' head coach in the middle of the Six Nations! Alfie, Will and Alex react to the bombshell news and also speak with Times columnist and former England forward Courtney Lawes. He chats about England's victory over France, his former club teammate Fin Smith and building upon victory. Mark Palmer reviews Scotland's limp defeat to Ireland at Murrayfield, the boys go through some of the listeners emails and question is this year's Six Nations destined to now be an Irish procession? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England beat France 26-25 in an exhilarating match at Twickenham to breath fresh life into their Six Nations campaign. Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are in the stands to reflect on a massive victory for England. They ask what changed for them to be able to get over the line in a tight game, where it leaves Steve Borthwick's side heading into a rest week and if this golden generation of French players have let another opportunity slip through their fingers. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of England hosting France at Twickenham in the Six Nations this weekend Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher react to the team selected by Steve Borthwick. They discuss Fin Smith starting at fly-half with Marcus Smith moving to full-back and ask the question of how big a match is this for England after their defeat to Ireland? Alfie also sits down to chat to Fin Smith as he prepares to start for the first time. Plus they are joined by L'Equipe writer Guillaume Dufy to get a French perspective on this England squad and Les Bleus hopes of winning another Six Nations title. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations Alfie Reynolds and Will Kelleher review all the action and cast their eyes forward to this weekend. They're at England's training base where they speak with second-row Ollie Chessum about responding to defeat to Ireland and why England's bench continues to struggle making an impact. Mark Palmer previews a huge game for Scotland at home to the Irish, they go through the Ruck listeners burning questions and ask if there is any hope for Wales? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following England's 27-22 defeat to Ireland in the opening round of the 6 Nations, Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe and Stuart Barnes react to another disappointing defeat for Steve Borthwick's side. They ask why they continually lose to the best sides in the world, what they can do to change their fortunes and what hope they have next week against France. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 Six Nations gets underway on Friday night as France host Wales in Paris. Shaun Edwards spent years with the Welsh team during Warren Gatland's first tenure and is now the French defence coach. He chats to Will Kelleher about his big milestone in this years championship, coaching Antoine Dupont, the struggles for rugby in Wales and what the 6 Nations means to him. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the 6 Nations Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Mark Palmer preview the 2025 championship. They go through each team and address the big questions! How will Ireland fare without Andy Farrell? Are France the favorites? Is it now or never for Scotland? How on earth will England get on? And will Italy versus Wales be the wooden spoon decider? Plus, they also provide an update on Bill Sweeney, the RFU CEO, who spoke to the media last week. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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