The Ruck

Stephen Jones welcomes Mark Evans, Sam Peters, Alex Lowe to discuss Freddie Burns' shocking error, the tackling laws of the game and to review the Heineken Champions Cup first round.

Then a look at the proposals for Rugby's League of Nations before debate around Eddie Jones' latest England squad and another selection of The Ruck's "God of the week".

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Owen Slot welcomes Stuart Barnes, Chris Jones and Al Dymock. 

The panel look at the battle at the bottom of the Premiership with the top two seemingly in a class of their own. 

They also question the weaknesses with New Zealand after South Africa's performance and as the Heineken Champions Cup approaches, can anyone see beyond Leinster or Saracens?

Finally after Billy Vunipola's sportsmanship at the weekend who else in rugby would own up to the referee?

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This weekend Northampton face Leicester at Twickenham in aid of Rob Horne.

In this special episode, Owen Slot meets Rob to discuss his life changing injury. The former Australian international speaks about choosing to adopt a positive outlook after his paralysis, how it was helpful he was never given false hope and despite chronic pain, how he's grateful to rugby rather than resentful. 

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Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alex Lowe and former World Cup winning player, Danielle Waterman.

They cover the fallout from Bath resting players, whether defensive coaches need to do more to earn their money and is the Premiership too predictable at this stage of the season? 

There's a full review of the Premiership weekend before Dannielle expands on what professional contracts will mean for England's Women. 

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PLUS

Was Will Spencer correctly sent off, is this the best ever start to a Premiership season, will Argentina be as formidable in 2019 as they were in 2015 and is there cause to ban "jackling" and bring back rucking? 

Stephen Jones welcomes Stuart Barnes, Steven James and Alex Lowe for a lively half hour of debate. 

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In a Ruck Podcast special Owen Slot debates the big questions around safety in the game: is rugby is too dangerous, should my kids be playing rugby, what is tolerable risk, what could be done to make rugby safer, and if you tinker with the game, could you destroy it?

He's joined on the panel by Alistair Hargreaves, former Saracens player who retired early after a string of concussions, Sam Peters, Sunday Times journalist, who has continually highlighted the dangers of concussion in rugby and Ross Tucker, sports scientist and consultant to World Rugby & RFU on this subject.

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Owen Slot welcomes Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones and Adam Hathaway to review the opening week of the domestic season. 

They reflect on the superb occasion at Ashton Gate, suggest different teams as the stand out side from week one, before comprehensively reviewing every fixture, including troubling times for Bath.  

Later the panel bemoan the lack of competition in the Pro 14 before analysing the amount youngsters are playing as teenagers before finishing with a brand new "God of the week".

This podcast was recorded before Matt O’Connor left Leicester Tigers.

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The Ruck returns as Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alex Lowe and Alan Dymock.

The panel comprehensively preview the new Premiership season and form agreement on the winners and who will be relegated. 

There's also a look ahead to the Pro 14, and whether France are stealing a march on England by playing their young players sooner in the Top 14. 

Finally there's disagreement about the biggest issue facing the game, a summer holiday round up and the vital selection of The Ruck's first "God of the week" 

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Rugby World’s Alan Dymock hosts a podcast on a delicate subject: some rugby players’ struggles with alcohol misuse and addiction.

Joined by Owen Slot and Alex Lowe, and aided by a host of telling interviews including Jason Robinson, the team pick through the issue and consider what help is and isn’t out there for athletes with these or similar mental health issues.

Listen to one medic explain how some players struggling with addiction issues have been listed as having had a chronic injury instead and moved on to unsuspecting clubs. With medical examinations focused on the body and not the mind, should there be an embargo on moving on players who are struggling with drink or drugs?

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Recorded in South Africa, Owen Slot and Stephen Jones dissect another chastening test for English rugby, assessing where the key problems lie.

They point to Eddie Jones over complicating things in the England setup, the need to bring experienced players back to all positions and both have their say on the misconception the press is loving the English downturn.

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Recorded in Umhlanga Rocks, South Africa. Stephen Jones is joined by Owen Slot, Nick Cain and Stuart Barnes.

The panel review an astonishing first test and ask why England still can't handle an increase of pace, how South Africa's pragmatic selection helped them enormously and what changes England have to make?

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Stephen Jones speaks to Ben Ryan, coach of the Fiji 7's team who Olympic gold in Rio 2016.

They cover the challenges of working in a different culture, how the RFU machine led Ben to become a "poor version of himself", why other teams were overtrained and too serious, how rugby is making mistakes other sports did 30 years ago and why he'd love to improve rugby in state schools.

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Stephen Jones welcomes Alex Lowe of The Times, Adam Hathaway from various tabloids and Duncan Bech from PA.

The panel bring you incisive royal wedding analysis, before focusing on the strange timing of Paul Gustard's move to Harlequins, with England 15 months out from a World Cup what does it say about morale, does it reveal a vote of no confidence, and who should replace him?

There's also a full review of the Premiership/Pro 14 and preview of the finals.

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Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alan Dymock and Peter O'Reilly. 

The panel review the Champions Cup final, discuss Danny Cipriani's move to Gloucester, preview of the semi-finals of the Pro 14 and Premiership before trying to make sense of Eddie Jones' England squad. 

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Owen Slot welcomes Adam Hathaway and Alex Lowe.

Who will Eddie Jones pick as the tour attack coach, who makes Alex Lowe's Premiership team of the season and who will take home a coveted Ruck award?

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Stephen Jones welcomes three titans from Women's rugby for a special extended episode: England's leading cap holder Rochelle Clark, Wasps Ladies coach, Giselle Mather and former England international, Catherine Spencer.

They pay tribute to the retiring Danielle Waterman and assess her record for England. Then the impact of the Tyrrell's Premier 15's is debated as well as a full review of the final, also why it's time not money the game needs to progress to the next level and why referees need to be picked on merit alone. The panel finish the podcast by selecting the highs and lows of their careers.   

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Owen Slot welcomes Sunday Times writer Chris Jones and former Harlequins, Saracens and Melbourne Storm boss, Mark Evans to discuss the week in rugby. 

They debate: Has the quality of the European club game decreased this season, are we seeing a French resurgence, is time finally up for Dylan Hartley and who should England take to South Africa?

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Owen Slot welcomes The Observer's Michael Aylwin and Rugby World's Alan Dymock.  

The panel discuss: the top fifty young players to watch, the rules suiting rugby's image over safety. The 'boiling frog' problem with struggling Northampton and Harlequins and are English coaches struggling to take the step up to Director of Rugby?

There's also a comprehensive preview for the European semi-finals.

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Stephen Jones is Joined by Al DImmock (Rugby World), Nick Cain (The Rugby Paper) and Adam Hathaway (The People, everywhere).

We hear about Saracens, Fly-half targeting, the European Challenge Cup, the economics of the premiership, and ring fencing - are teams trying to pull the drawbridge up behind them? Should cities that are awarded major sporting events be prohibited from profiteering? 

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Stephen Jones is joined by Adam Hathaway, Sam Peters and Alex Lowe to discuss which players England should take to South Africa and who will progress from the European quarter finals.

In the final section (26:11) the panel discuss the latest injury findings and whether rugby is shying away from a crisis. 

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Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe, Stuart Barnes and Al Dymock to answer who made the greatest step forward in the six nations, why Ireland will improve further and why Wales should be delighted by second place. 

Finally Al Dymock tries to explain the shambolic scenes at Belgium vs Spain as World Cup qualifying descended into farce.

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Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe, Stuart Barnes and Al Dymock for an in-depth look into England's disastrous campaign and the major questions they now face.

Including: has England's world cup chance already gone, why did performance levels drop so quickly and should Eddie Jones' position now be questioned?

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Stephen Jones welcomes Times rugby writer Steve James, editor of Rugby World, Sarah Mockford and world cup winner, Michael Lynagh. 

The panel discuss, who England need to change in the back row, whether all the problems lie there and if this England side has plateaued? 

There's also debate whether Eddie Jones should make sweeping changes with 5th place looming, if Owen Farrell needs to move to 10 and can they rescue their campaign and stop the Irish grand slam?

Also analysed: where England go wrong at the breakdown, why Wales are quietly having an excellent tournament, why the Irish depth is their real strength and the finale of the Women's Six Nations tournament.  

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In this special episode Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot and ex-Harlequins CEO and Saracens boss, Mark Evans to cast an eye over Rugby's professional era.

They discuss if the unions have too much power, the mass media effect, whether the Premiership is marketed correctly, should lessons should be learned from Australia and America, and if relegation needs abolishing in order to grow?

Mark then presents his blueprint to improve the games standing and details his involvement with the stadium for Cornwall project.

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Stephen Jones welcomes, SJA rugby writer of the year, Owen Slot and ex-Harlequins CEO and Saracens boss, Mark Evans to preview a crucial weekend.

Can England strike back if the team is unchanged, are France a national joke, can Scotland improve even further, will Ireland's depth see them to a grand slam and would relegation and promotion for the tournament help or hinder a team like Georgia?

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Stephen Jones welcomes the Rugby Paper's, Nick Caine, The Sunday Times, Nigel Botherway and red top favourite, Adam Hathaway.   

They discuss the passion and precision of Scotland and where "flummoxed, static and poor" England go next, after being dominated. 

The panel also detail the changes they would make for England. Do Hartley, Brown and Robshaw survive? Or does the entire game plan need an overhaul? 

The rest of the weekend is reviewed and players of the weekend picked. 

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Recorded from England's training camp, Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times and Alex Spink from The Mirror. 

They discuss why the Calcutta Cup has been such a bore for decades, why Ireland suddenly look beatable and after post match turmoil, why France have gone backwards.

There's also an exclusive interview with Dean Benton, Head of Sports Science for England Rugby, who describes the difference in culture when it comes to working with players.

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Owen Slot welcomes Rugby World's, Al Dymock and The Observer's, Michael Aylwin to a special episode focusing on the future of the game.

Will rugby turn into thirteen man game, can Georgia turn into a tier one side, will we need bigger pitches, can England win three out of the next world cups and will all performance enhancing drugs soon be legal?

The panel also debate Stephen Jones' 6 Nations team of the week.

Next week is a mailbag special email your questions to theruck@thetimes.co.uk.

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Owen Slot welcomes Rugby World's, Al Dymock, The Observer's, Michael Aylwin and Times columnist, Ben Kay.

The panel discuss, the Sam Underhill tackle, Finn Russell appearing to regress, and opposing coaches putting players under pressure in the media. We also hear who is ahead between grand slam contenders England and Ireland. 

And the big question question is answered: was it a try?

Tomorrow's episode features disagreement over Stephen Jones' team of the week and there is discussion on what the game will look like in 2030.

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Recorded in Rome, Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times and Jonny Fordham from The Sun for a review of the 6 Nations first weekend.

Up for discussion: why Alex only rated Sam Simmonds 8/10 for his performance against Italy, what shone from England's play, did Scotland believe their only media hype and what will Stephen Jones' mandatory talking points say about Ireland being firm favourites?

In the final section, the panel predict the next round of fixtures, pick a team of the week and Owen sets you all homework.  

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Stuart Barnes hosts a special episode, welcoming former Ireland international and Sunday Times columnist Shane Horgan, Wales international and Harlequin, Jamie Roberts, with regulars Stephen Jones and Owen Slot completing the panel. 

Up for discussion: the volume of player injuries, if the 6 nations is tainted without big stars, why Ireland are the journalists pick to win, where and why England have stagnated, how rugby has evolved in the last four years and the panel predict the player of the tournament.

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Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Al Dymock, Peter O'Reilly and Paul Eddison for a full preview of the 6 nations opening weekend.

Every team's strengths and weaknesses are assessed with a comprehensive analysis of the key match ups.

Can Ireland overcome the history books and see off France, will England ever get the credit Eddie Jones thinks they deserve, and will the loser of Scotland vs Wales be instantly in the "mental mush"?

Also find out what the panel hate about the tournament in a section they'll probably wish had been cut.

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In this special edition of The Ruck, Stephen Jones talks to Wayne Barnes about life as a referee, the tactics officials will be keeping an eye on in the Six Nations and what Nigel Owens sang at his wedding.

They also discuss the legality of Saracens’ rush defence, what to do when a player calls for a rival to be sin-binned and whether Richie McCaw truly knew the rule book better than anyone else...

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This week Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe and former Saracens player, Will Fraser. 

They discuss the final round of the European group stages, the reasons behind English rugby having just one representative in the quarters, with player fatigue, declining quality and the cyclical nature of sport considered.

Then the panel explore how Saracens recovered off the back of multiple defeats earlier this campaign with unique insight from Fraser's access at the club.

Finally England's seven position is debated. 

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Owen Slot welcomes Stephen Jones and Alex Lowe to discuss another thrilling weekend of European rugby. 

Peter O'Reilly joins the debate from Dublin and offers his thoughts on the current strong form of the Irish teams and defends the Pro 14 from the opinion they have it much easier than the Premiership sides.

The writers also reflect on their favourite European club performance down the years before suggesting what to do with the England team ahead of the squad announcement this week.

And as Exeter shock the rugby press by limiting food for journalists to one pasty each, Owen Slot defends himself from multiple allegations he is the reason for the drastic measures. 

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The Ruck returns with Stephen Jones, Owen Slot, Stuart Barnes and Jonny Fordham.

The panel discuss why Dylan Hartley's club form will not change Eddie Jones' thinking on starting him for England. Owen explains the book which led Jones to think this way and Jonny reveals the day to day relationship between captain and coach.

Stephen and Stuart then disagree on the England coach's criteria and selection policy. 

There's also a full preview of all the big european action and Stuart explains why he thinks Jordan Larmour could be worth the hype.

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Stephen Jones welcomes Steve James, Owen Slot and Al Dymock for the penultimate Ruck of the year.

The panel cover: Dan Cole's struggles, Beno Obano's triumphs and Danny Cipriani's impossible task.

There's a full review of the European action, including fears for a lack of English quarter finalists. Also find out who on the panel is dodging the christmas games and Al speaks about his investigation into the dark side of player welfare within the game.

There's also an Ashes verdict from Steve and find out why Owen may incur the wrath of Mrs Slot on New Years Eve.  

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Stephen Jones, Owen Slot and Sam Peters are feeling weary after the autumn internationals, with the debate raging on as to the physical damage that could be done with needless rugby matches being played.

The panel also discuss the Saracens slump, whether Eddie Jones is a strong selector and if Danny Cipriani can be a good squad player.

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Owen Slot welcomes Jonny Fordham of The Sun, Tom Hamilton from ESPN and Al Dymock from Rugby World to reflect on the weekends action.

They offer answers to the following: if they were to re-plan their weekends which matches would they have attended, did the world rugby awards pick the right winners and which nation is letting their hemisphere down badly?

There's also marks out of ten for each nation's autumn performance, a predicted England side for the six nations and a public service announcement from Al Dymock on the perils of nudity at Japanese spa's.

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Stephen Jones is joined by The Times Owen Slot, Rugby World's Al Dymock, and the finest freelancer around, Adam Hathaway.

They review England's win over Australia, assess where Scotland missed out against the All Blacks, as well as recapping the other matches before previewing the next series of clashes at the weekend. 

There's also a debate about the best Scot to ever play the game, the panels thoughts on Samoa and a consideration of player dissent rising in the game. 

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Stephen Jones is joined by Steve James and Stuart Barnes for a comprehensive round up of the autumn internationals.

The panel cover: the difficulty of making a dire game sound exciting as a commentator, whether there are too many test matches, and why do Wales keep coming up short against Australia?

England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales are all thoroughly analysed before changes are suggested and predictions made.

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Stephen Jones returns and welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times, Sarah Mockford from Rugby World, former World Cup winner and man who works upstairs now, Michael Lynagh.

In a bumper episode the panel consider: the future of the Barbarians and the best use of the brand? Whether it's a cause for concern most of the England team is still unknown, if this autumn is a great chance to build the second tier for Eddie Jones?

Should Wales expect to beat Australia or have the latter turned a corner after their recent victory against the All Blacks?

Also has the quality of the French domestic rugby killed their international side, are we on the cusp of another Scottish revival and what would happen to The Sunday Times if Stephen wasn't there?

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