The Ireland women’s team is riding on the crest of a wave after World Cup qualification and a victory over New Zealand in 2024. How does the game look below international level, how are things under the hood? There are a number of moving parts within the domestic structure, including the AIL, provinces and Celtic Challenge. The AIL, though, remains…

This weekend, Sharks head coach John Plumtree made headlines for outlining the unsustainable nature of South African sides trying to compete in European competition. Both the Sharks and the Stormers sent rotated teams north to the UK and both were well beaten. This comes as Bath sent a rotated squad to Treviso and lost, Munster left behind a few re…

Rob Henderson played for Munster, Ireland and the Lions. He was Brian O’Driscoll’s centre partner both during his infamous Paris hat-trick and the 2001 Lions tour of Australia. In 2002, he played twice for Munster against Castres on the province’s ultimately unsuccessful run to the final of the Heineken Cup. He was part of the group which eventuall…

As this year’s European action kicked off with a mostly positive weekend for the provinces, one difference between Irish sides and those they squared off with became apparent: pace. For some time now, Ireland has not produced game-breaking wingers with top end speed. Why is this the case? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to …

When Leinster square off against the Bristol Bears, Pat Lam, once in charge of Connacht but now bedded in with the Premiership side, once again finds himself in the Irish rugby bubble. Lam was an immensely popular figure during his time with Connacht, guiding them to a stunning Pro12 victory back in 2016. Famous for his attack-heavy philosophy, Lam…

After a narrow win over Australia wrapped up a mix bag of an Autumn Nations Series, The Counter Ruck pores through where Andy Farrell’s side finds itself heading into the new year. How can the attack return to its world leading status? Are Ireland evolving to stay in the pack? What is the latest in the current outhalf debate? Does Jack Crowley once…

Former Leinster and Ireland boss Joe Schmidt looks to have begun a miraculous turnaround with the Wallabies. From failing to get out of their poor group at last year’s World Cup and finishing bottom of the Rugby Championship, Schmidt has taken his side to the Northern Hemisphere this November and earned wins over England and Wales. But are his meth…

Ireland put in their best display of this November window with a 52-17 thumping of Fiji. Was this a return to the good form of old or was it a case of achieving the bare minimum against a Fijian side which flattered to deceive? Was Sam Prendergast fortunate to not be sent off? Where does his display leave the ongoing outhalf debate? Host Nathan Joh…

Everyone seems to love to watch Fiji, but what is it about the Pacific Island nation that is so endearing? Is it their thrilling style of play, nostalgia for larger than life characters of years past, or simply the fact that they have improved to be a genuine threat at rugby’s top table? Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to chat t…

Ireland won ugly against Argentina while England once again produced an at times scintillating performance, only to lose to South Africa. Whose camp would you rather be in? Host Nathan Johns argues that England’s superior attacking game means it’s more likely everything else will click in time, while former Ireland international Gordon D’Arcy prefe…

In a wide ranging chat, Contepomi joins host Nathan Johns and former teammate Gordon D’Arcy to look back at their time playing together at the RDS, Contepomi’s relationship with Michael Cheika - who he worked with at both Leinster and Argentina - and reflect on how the sport has evolved, both for the better and the worse, since his playing days. No…

How worried should Irish rugby be after a disheartening defeat to the All Blacks? Is it time to make significant changes to the team? Are sides starting to figure out Ireland’s famed attack? Does this result already render the November window a disappointment? John O’Sullivan returns to The Counter Ruck alongside Gordon D’Arcy and host Nathan Johns…

Andrew Mehrtens was the New Zealand outhalf before Dan Carter. A 70-cap All Black, he joins Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy to preview Ireland’s clash with New Zealand. We look back at when Mehrtens played in Lansdowne Road in 2001, swap debut stories and tales of jersey hunting while previewing where Friday night’s clash will be won and lost. Produ…

It’s All Blacks week. At the beginning of his career, Gordon D’Arcy never felt like Ireland could get close to New Zealand. Towards the end, Joe Schmidt’s Irish side began to see themselves as equals. Regardless, the last chance for a number of Ireland players, including D’Arcy, O’Driscoll and O’Connell, ended in an agonising defeat. Joining host N…

After Tuesday’s shock announcement that Graham Rowntree is no longer Munster’s head coach, many questions remain. The most pressing: where does the province go from here? Joining host Nathan Johns on today’s episode of The Counter Ruck is Irish Times rugby correspondent Gerry Thornley. We chat the potential options on Munster’s shortlist and why no…

Munster shocked the rugby world on Tuesday with the news that Graham Rowntree will no longer be their head coach, ending a five year stay with the province. After this weekend’s defeat to the Sharks in South Africa, they find themselves in 12th in the URC table thanks to three consecutive losses. Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns react to the news, an…

Ed Byrne recently moved from Leinster to Cardiff after making over 100 appearances for the province. He was also capped 6 times by Ireland. In the week that Cardiff host Ulster in the URC, Ireland also named their squad for the Autumn Nations Series. Only five props were picked, with the likelihood being a 37-year-old Cian Healy will once again lin…

On Wednesday, Andy Farrell names his Ireland squad for the November internationals. But who will see their names included? How will Ireland resolve their hooker crisis? Will we see any fresh faces? Gordon D’Arcy joins host Nathan Johns to discuss the main talking points ahead of this week’s announcement. We also discuss RG Snyman’s impact at Leinst…

In the coming weeks, World Rugby will decide on the implementation of the controversial 20-minute red card. The proposed disciplinary law change will have a drastic effect on how high tackles and head contact is officiated. France have criticised the new measure, which could well be implemented in time for next year’s six nations while the IRFU is …

On Friday night, Ireland women worked past the USA to finish second in their WXV1 group. With next year’s Six Nations and World Cup to come, Scott Bemand’s side have taken a significant step forward. On Saturday, over 80,000 people travelled to Croke Park to take in Leinster’s win over Munster, before Ulster beat Connacht in another thrilling intep…

Stacey Flood is currently with the Irish team out in Vancouver for their WXV1 campaign. Lining out at fullback, Flood played an integral role in the side’s recent win over New Zealand. Formerly a regular on the Sevens circuit, Flood took part in the recent Paris Olympics before switching back to 15s ahead of next year’s World Cup. She joins host Na…

Gordon D’Arcy remembers his first interpro game for Leinster against Munster for all the wrong reasons. As an 18-year-old, he was mercilessly stepped by Keith Wood before he got on the wrong end of Peter Clohessy at the bottom of a ruck. In the years after, Leinster and Munster have enjoyed many a memorable battle. Alongside host Nathan Johns and I…

Last year, the IRFU introduced a law trial to lower the tackle height in amateur rugby. In a bid to make the game safer, the permitted tackle height was lowered from the shoulder to the sternum. One year on, is the sport safer? Have players adapted? Is the sport better to watch? Caithriona Yeomans from the IRFU and Terenure College RFC’s Seán Skeha…

While you were sleeping on Sunday night, Ireland women beat New Zealand for just the second time in their history, opening their WXV campaign in style in Vancouver. This victory over the world champions confirms that Scott Bemand’s side is on the rise. Yet it still comes just 18 months after Ireland won the dreaded wooden spoon in the Six Nations. …

As news reports emerge of English rugby once again being in dire financial straits, while some URC teams continue to live on the edge of their means, a rival competition across the water offers a positive example. France’s Top14 has a lucrative TV deal, record crowds and a thriving second division. How has France cracked the domestic rugby code, wh…