The Ruck

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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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?

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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?

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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.

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The Gallagher Premiership returned on the weekend but was it the spectacle that fans were hoping for? Bath were brilliant on Friday night to beat Northampton in a re-match of last seasons final but plenty of other matches were error strewn and sloppy. Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Alfie Reynolds ask why that was the case and whether rugby has an issue with the product on display? Plus, they review the opening weekend and explain the change to ITV's weekly Premiership highlights show.

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Will Kelleher made the trip to Manchester to have a chat with England and Sale fly-half George Ford. Injury ruled Ford out of England's summer tour so as well as previewing the new Premiership season he reflects on the matches against New Zealand, his fitness and return to playing, plus a possible move to rugby league at the end of his career.

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Ahead of the Premiership season Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe make the trip to Newcastle to preview the new campaign. Following a season where the Falcons lost all of their matches they ask whether they can compete in the division this season? To help them answer that question they speak to Director of Rugby Steve Diamond, captain Callum Chick and Chairman Matt Thompson about the challenges that rugby in the North-East faces, Saudi Arabian investment, promotion/relegation and what success looks like for the club. Plus, are last seasons runners-up Bath favorites for the title this year? And, are we set for another hugely competitive race for the play-offs?

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The pod is back! Ahead of the new season Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher return with news about the new Professional Game Partnership. What is it? And why should supporters care? They go through some of the major talking points including the power it gives England head coach Steve Borthwick and plans for the second tier. They also discuss the shock resignation of England's defence coach Felix Jones and the renaming of Twickenham to Allianz Stadium.

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It's the end of the season! Well, pretty much. Whilst Scotland and Wales still have matches to play, England and Ireland concluded their summer series against New Zealand and South Africa. Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher have one final dispatch from New Zealand as England lost narrowly to the All Blacks for the second week in a row. Was this another opportunity missed? And how do England become a team that wins tight matches against the top sides? And, Alfie Reynolds is joined by Peter O'Reilly to chat about Ireland's drawn series against the Springboks thanks to a last second drop goal. Is it the best result of the Andy Farrell era? Whilst Steve James and Mark Palmer to round-up results for Wales and Scotland.

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Richie McCaw is one of the legends of the game. The double world cup winning former All Black captain did it all in an illustrious playing career. He sat down to chat with Will Kelleher and even went flying in a helicopter! They discuss life after rugby including commercial helicopter flying, extreme endurance racing and the pressure and privilege of leading the All Blacks.

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Following the first tests of the summer tours the podcast comes to you from around the world! Will and Alex reflect on England's narrow defeat to the All Blacks and ask whether it was a missed opportunity or further signs of the side making progress? Alfie chats to Peter O'Reilly who is in South Africa for Ireland's tour against the Springboks and Mark Palmer who was in Canada for Scotland's thumping victory. Plus Steve James is across Wales' tour Down Under where Warren Gatland's side suffered another defeat!

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Ahead of England's first test against the All Blacks this weekend, Will Kelleher asks 'how do you win in New Zealand?'. England have only won a test on New Zealand soil twice in their history, the last time being 2003. He chats to Lawrence Dallalgio and Neil Back who both played (and were sin binned!) in that victory 21 years ago. They reminisce about the tour which was a brutal pre-World Cup warm-up, getting kicked off the set of The Lord of the Rings and the unique challenge of taking on the All Blacks in their own backyard.

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The July tours are here! Ahead of All Blacks versus England and Springboks against Ireland Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Peter O'Reilly look ahead to the test series. Will and Alex are on the ground in New Zealand and discuss the type of match we could see, what would be 'success' for England on the tour, and the AB's appearing nervous. Will also chats to England number 8 Ben Earl and finds out what a test week looks like from a players perspective. And, Peter previews a highly-anticipated series between the World Champions and European champions as the mind games have started in South Africa.

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Ahead of England's two test series against the All Blacks, Will Kelleher chats to former New Zealand coaches Steve Hansen and Ian Foster. They discuss the honour and pressure of leading the All Blacks, as well as some of their great memories from World Cup wins to a dominant 2016. They also chat about the challenges facing rugby in New Zealand, look ahead to the up-coming series with Scott Robertson now in charge of the side and give their views on England following a World Cup semi-final appearance last year.

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Alfie Reynolds and Mark Palmer reflect on Glasgow's incredible victory in the URC final. Mark joins the pod from Loftus Versfeld in South Africa just hours after the full-time whistle, a match he says is the greatest victory for any Scottish side in the history of professional rugby! Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe were in Tokyo as England's summer tour got underway with a victory, they dissect the performance from Steve Borthwick's side, including Marcus Smith at fly-half, Charlie Ewels' red card and Ben Earl's cameo in the centres.

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Steve Borthwick has named his England squad to take on Japan in Tokyo this weekend so Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe - who are both in Japan - react to the team selection. They discuss Marcus Smith starting at fly-half, Chandler Cunningham-South's potential impact at blindside and the exciting opportunity for the team. They also question why Borthwick went early in naming his squad and delve into a revealing answer from Henry Slade about how much he's enjoying being part of this England setup.

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England face Japan in Tokyo this weekend so Alfie Reynolds speaks to Will Kelleher who is on the ground to bring us the latest from the England camp, they also discuss the match not being on television and why it is a reflection of the rugby media landscape. Mark Palmer looks back on the URC semi-finals including a huge win for Glasgow, the positive impact of the South African sides on the competition and a third straight year without silverware for Leinster. He also previews Scotland's summer tour to the USA, Canada, Chile and Uruguay. Finally, Hannah Botterman, the Bristol Bears and England prop joins the pod to preview the Premiership Women's Rugby final as Bristol face defending champions Gloucester-Hartbury.

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Northampton Saints are the Premiership champions for the first time in 10 years! Alfie Reynolds and Alex Lowe are back at Twickenham to reflect on their victory over Bath and to react to Steve Borthwick's England squad for their summer tour to Japan and New Zealand. They ask whether, despite having a player sent off, the Premiership final was a missed opportunity for Bath? And, is this a pivotal summer for the England career of Marcus Smith? They also chat about Northampton's ability to win ugly, the brilliant Premiership season we've just had and England's front row options.

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Alfie Reynolds and Stuart Barnes look back on the Premiership semi-finals as Northampton Saints and Bath booked their spots at a sold out Twickenham. They discuss the vast improvements in both sides' forward packs and the contrasting celebrations at Franklins Gardens and The Rec, as well as looking ahead to the final. They also review the defeats for Saracens and Sale and name their God or Goddess of the week.

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Alfie Reynolds, Stuart Barnes and Peter O'Reilly look back on the Champions Cup as Toulouse beat Leinster in a brilliant final at the Tottenham Hotspur Stadium. It's Leinster's third straight defeat in the final, so was this them choking or simply Toulouse being too good? They also discuss the conclusion of Gloucester's season as they lost to the Sharks, who became the first South African side to win one of the traditional 'European' finals and they preview a return to Premiership action with the semi-finals this weekend.

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Premiership Rugby's Chief Growth Officer, Rob Calder, joins Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher to discuss the potential re-brand of the Gallagher Premiership. He worked for the ECB on the 'The Hundred' so chats about changing the league's name, neutral venue semi-finals and whether the final could be moved away from Twickenham? Plus, Sale Sharks' Sam James reflects on the club reaching the play-offs following a big win against Saracens and the boys go through the rest of the weekends action and look ahead to the Champions Cup final between Leinster and Toulouse.

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Ahead of the final weekend of the Premiership season Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher make the trip to Bear Country. They spend a day at Bristol Bears' high performance centre to get a behind the scenes look at the club, including chatting to director of rugby Pat Lam, COO Tom Tainton as well as James Dun, Joe Batley, Callum Sheedy and Harry Randall.

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After Gloucester lost 90-0 away to Northampton, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Alfie Reynolds question whether they disrespected the Premiership by fielding a weaker side? Before that they also discuss the race for the play-offs as we head into the final weekend and debate the good, bad and unintended consequences - especially around the scrum - of World Rugby's law changes which will come into effect in July. Plus, they name their God or Goddess of the week.

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It wasn't to be for Northampton Saints or Harlequins as they both lost in the Champions Cup semi-finals. Leinster and Toulouse, two of Europe's most prestigious clubs will contest the final at the end of May. Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher, Stuart Barnes and Peter O'Reilly look back on the action. They discuss the two great occasions in Toulouse and Dublin, question whether it was a missed opportunity for the English clubs and ask if Leinster have the mental strength to finally win it. Plus, Alfie talks to Gloucester's Lewis Ludlow as they got through to the Challenge Cup final and the boys name their God or Goddess of the week.

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Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher review another weekend of domestic rugby as the Gallagher Premiership served up contrasting matches in Bath v Saracens and Harlequins v Northampton, both of which were fascinating! They chat about officiating controversy and the race for the play-offs, Rocky Clark joins the pod to look back on the conclusion of the Women's 6 Nations as England won another Grand Slam. Plus, the boys preview the Champions Cup semi-finals and name their God or Goddess of the week.

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Ahead of Harlequins facing Northampton Saints at Twickenham this weekend and with a big Champions Cup semi-final on the horizon against Toulouse; Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe head to the training ground to find out what makes the club unique. They speak to Chandler Cunningham-South, Cadan Murley, CEO Laurie Dalrymple and Head Coach Danny Wilson about the clubs playing philosophy, putting on big events at Twickenham and the Premiership run-in.

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Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Elgan Alderman reflect on the weekend's action in the Premiership and Women's 6 Nations, including huge wins for the Red Roses and Bristol. Following England's comfortable victory over Ireland at Twickenham Alex chats with broadcaster Johnnie Hammond about the competitive balance to the women's tournament. And, with Newcastle shipping over eighty points to Bristol, where do the north-east club go from here? Plus, they name their God or Goddess of the week.

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With England set to host Ireland at Twickenham in the Women's 6 Nations this weekend Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Elgan Alderman head up to Pennyhill Park to go behind the scenes of the Red Roses training camp. They speak to head coach John Mitchell as well as Sydney Gregson and Ellie Kildunne about what drives the number one team in the world to keep improving, teacher training, unexpected job interviews and much more!

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Following the Champions Cup quarter-finals Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and Alan Dymock review the weekend. Alex was in France for Harlequins' sensational win away to Bordeaux and Exeter's defeat to Toulouse. They question whether South African sides being involved in a 'European' competition is currently working and how the issues facing the tournament can be resolved, after the Bulls made 13 changes for their trip to Northampton. And, Will chats with Harlequins scrum coach Adam Jones to review their historic win.

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Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Elgan Alderman review the last-16 in the Champions Cup, preview the return of the Women's 6 Nations and discuss rugby's scheduling issues. They also chat to the England and Toulouse flanker Jack Willis about life in France, wanting to add to the club's great history and being unable as an overseas player to be picked by England.

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Alfie Reynolds, Mark Palmer and Elgan Alderman round-up the latest action from the Premiership and Women's 6 Nations, plus look ahead to the last-16 of the Champions Cup. They discuss Irne Herbst's 7 minute yellow card in the Quins v Bath game, a missed opportunity for Scotland in the 6 Nations and Elgan's weekend of French rugby. Alfie also chats to Northampton Saints back row Lewis Ludlam to preview their match against Munster this weekend.

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Following a busy weekend of Women's Six Nations and Gallagher Premiership, Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher look back on the action. Alfie chats with England back-row Marlie Packer after she made her 100th England appearance in their win over Italy. Plus, the boys discuss which sides might be hitting their form for the Premiership run-in, how much is too much for season tickets? And, name their God or Goddess of the week.

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The men's Six Nations reached its conclusion on the weekend as Ireland won back-to-back titles. Alfie Reynolds, Elgan Alderman and Mark Palmer review all the action between Ireland, Scotland, Wales and Italy. Whilst Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe report in from Lyon where England narrowly lost to France. They chat about Wales' wooden spoon, Italy's best ever Championship and ask where Scotland go from here? Plus, they look ahead to the Women's 6 Nations and name their God or Goddess of the week.

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The Six Nations produced one of its great days on Saturday with Italy and England beating Scotland and Ireland in two epic matches. Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher discuss all, including why it is England's best performance and result since the 2019 World Cup semi-final. Will chats to Italy back-row Seb Negri after they won at home in the Championship for the first time in 11 years. Plus, they discuss France beating Wales, why bonus points in the Six Nations are ludicrous and name their God or Goddess of the week.

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Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are joined by two British Lions legends, to find out if anyone (but particularly England) can stop Ireland, if Italy can bring the fight to Scotland, and to ask what would be a successful championship showing for Wales.

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Will Kelleher, Alex Lowe and Mark Palmer get together in an Edinburgh hotel lobby to unpick the 3rd round of the 6 nations. It's a familiar story for Wales and England, but the ending in France for Italy was anything but...

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Times columnists and former internationals Courtney Lawes and John Barclay join Will Kelleher to look ahead to Saturday's Calcutta Cup Clash, and to look back on their own memories of thumpings, scuffles in the tunnel and that Finn Russell pass...

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Will Kelleher is joined by Elgan Alderman, Mark Palmer and Bernard Jackman to preview next weekend's 6 Nations 3rd round. The team also get stuck into a discussion on how to speed up the game and reduce stoppages PLUS an interview with Harlequins and England A wing Cadan Murley.

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