The Ruck Rugby Podcast

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.

England have named their squad ahead of the 2025 6 Nations and Maro Itoje is the new captain, replacing Jamie George. Alfie, Will and Alex are at Twickenham to react to the squad and the change in captaincy. Plus, they're joined by head coach Steve Borthwick who explains why Itoje is the right man to now lead the team, whether the Premiership prepares English players for test matches and how good this young side can be in the years to come. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's another week and another update on the future of RFU Chief Executive Bill Sweeney. Alfie is back from Australia so he and Will try to explain what is happening and whether Sweeney will survive the latest attempt to remove him. Plus, they look ahead to the final round of pool fixtures in the Champions Cup and England's 6 Nations squad, which will be announced on Tuesday. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are here for the first podcast of 2025! And because it is the first podcast of the year we have decided to kick things off with a bang! South Africa's double World Cup winning lock Eben Etzebeth joins us to reflect on his sensational 2024, his aims for the year ahead and his thoughts on South African sides in Europe and the huge clash this weekend with Toulouse! Plus.... Wlll and Alex give their halfway report on the Gallagher Premiership with the competition at its midway point, and we answer some of your criticism regarding our Lions Test XV Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With 2025 right around the corner Alfie, Alex and Will look ahead to the British and Irish Lions tour next year. They sit down to select their starting Lions matchday twenty-three for the first test against the Wallabies and run into some interesting selection dilemmas! Should they pick players based in France? Does Owen Farrell go on the tour? And, is it dangerous to go with a 6-2 bench split? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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.