The Counter Ruck

Are Scotland primed to finally beat Ireland?

10 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A sensational weekend of Six Nations action leaves us anticipating a bumper Super Saturday to decide the title. Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to ...

Ireland beat a dogged Wales side under the lights at the Aviva

07 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

This was a much-changed Ireland side from the one who performed heroics at Twickenham against England two weeks ago. And there was much to admire give...

Have Ireland changed their selection policy ahead of the clash with Wales?

05 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Farrell has made five changes to the starting XV ahead of Friday’s clash with Wales. Unusual, perhaps, to mix up a winning formula after a stun...

Data in rugby and Ireland’s tactical revolution explained

03 Mar 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Sam Larner has, quite literally, written the book on data in rugby.In his recent publication, Attacking the Space: Inside rugby’s data and tactics r...

Ireland U20s - how does the talent pipeline actually look?

27 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Everyone loved a crisis talk after Ireland U20s and Ireland XV lost on the same weekend the senior side struggled in Paris. Since then, though, the U2...

Ireland pull off one of the great Twickenham days against England

23 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

How many of you saw that coming? A record Irish victory in Twickenham was some way for Andy Farrell and co to change the narrative surrounding this si...

How might Ireland pull off a Twickenham upset?

20 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland’s team for the weekend is out with a big decision made at outhalf. Will the changes improve Ireland’s chances of securing an upset? What o...

Did Ireland restore confidence ahead of Twickenham showdown?

17 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland responded to their disappointment in Paris with a win over Italy. Albeit an unconvincing one. Did new faces in Andy Farrell’s team do enough...

Do Ireland's rugby pathways need a serious overhaul?

13 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

John O’Sullivan joins Nathan Johns to pick through some big selection decisions made by Andy Farrell ahead of Ireland’s Six Nations clash with Ita...

Are wounded Ireland vulnerable to an Italian job?

10 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland suffer a heavy defeat to France while Italy are on a high following a win over Scotland. Does that make for a potential banana skin for Andy F...

How far behind the leading pack are Ireland after defeat against France?

06 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

A difficult night for Ireland saw them lose heavily to France in Paris.Nathan Johns and Gerry Thornley were at the Stade de France to pick through whe...

France vs Ireland - Six Nations preview

03 Feb 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland have named their team for Thursday’s Six Nations opener. There are surprises, namely Jacob Stockdale in for James Lowe and Cian Prendergast ...

Can rugby take off in America?

30 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The new head coach of the US team is an Irishman from Skerries. After winning a medal with the Canada Sevens team in Paris, Jack Hanratty has moved to...

Should Irish players have been wrapped in cotton wool ahead of the Six Nations?

27 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland’s front-row injury crisis plummeted to a further low when Jack Boyle was carted off with an Achilles issue for Leinster against Connacht. Gi...

Is Ireland's Six Nations squad 'safe'?

22 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

It’s squad week ahead of the upcoming Six Nations. Both the senior group, the squad selected in the second string and the U20s have all been reveale...

What does Munster’s crushing Champions Cup exit mean for Ireland?

20 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The final European weekend for a while threw up plenty of intrigue. Munster are out of the Champions Cup, their latest love affair with Europe’s top...

Why did the All Blacks drop a coaching bombshell?

16 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Gerry Thornley joins Nathan Johns to pick through the rugby news of the day. The quality of the on-field product certainly improved during last weeken...

How did Leinster pull off their win against La Rochelle?

13 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

Leinster get out of jail against La Rochelle while Munster fall in Toulon in the Champions Cup. Meanwhile Ulster are snowed off while Connacht let a l...

Rory Best on how Ulster have turned things around

09 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

An ex-Ireland captain is now in charge of the rugby department at one of the country’s four provinces. Rory Best, Joe Schmidt’s on-field lieutenan...

Which province is worth paying to watch?

06 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The end of the festive interpro season is nigh but that means Europe is back in focus as the provinces gear up for continental rugby once more. All wh...

Why rugby’s bomb squads are bad for the game

02 Jan 2026

Contributed by Lukas

The now infamous 7-1 forward split on the bench hit the headlines last year when World Rugby announced they would not be outlawing the practice. The i...

Leinster and Munster’s battle for rugby’s soul

30 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Christmas interpros have been and gone, Leinster and Ulster prevailing over Munster and Connacht respectively. Thomond Park was notable not so muc...

The role sports psychology has played in Leinster and Ireland’s success

26 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Inevitably, before their success in the United Rugby Championship last season, plenty of public commentary focused on Leinster’s inability to get ov...

Christmas takeaways from a strange provincial weekend

23 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Another week, another round of games featuring Irish provinces winning ugly. Leinster and Munster secured bonus point victories despite being far from...

Could a multiple URC champion be on the way out?

19 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Not for the first time this year, Welsh rugby is awash with speculation of the downfall of one of its clubs. The Ospreys, four-time winners of the URC...

Do Leinster’s misfires matter so long as they’re winning?

16 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leinster won on their travels but looked far from convincing against Leicester. Munster also flattered to deceive albeit they got a winning bonus poin...

Rugby’s stylistic direction of travel - is it for the best?

12 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

With Leinster and Leicester squaring off in Europe this week, Jimmy Gopperth - a former outhalf for both sides - joins ex-teammate Gordon D’Arcy and...

Munster fall as Leinster fail to impress in Europe

09 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Round one of European action has been and gone as Leinster won in unconvincing fashion over an understrength Harlequins side, Munster fell away to Bat...

Ireland's path to World Cup redemption + European preview

04 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two years out from the World Cup, Ireland now know who they are playing after Wednesday’s draw. The fixture dates come next February as World Rugby ...

Why are Irish rugby tickets so expensive?

02 Dec 2025

Contributed by Lukas

During the November window, the IRFU released their financial accounts for the previous year. Inevitably, they were asked about rising ticket prices f...

Is international rugby becoming unwatchable?

28 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

There have been postmortems aplenty on the state of Irish rugby after the November window. But what of the international window as a whole. Officiatin...

Saturday Shambles wraps up Ireland's November window

25 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Saturday was shambolic. Chaotic. Insert your choice of adjective here. A rugby match took over 130 minutes to complete. Seven cards were handed out - ...

Ireland vs South Africa: rugby’s biggest rivalry?

21 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

South Africa come to town this weekend with two World Cup winners’ medals in the back pocket of plenty of squad members. Yet one of the few frontier...

Ireland’s record win over Australia sets up Springboks clash perfectly

18 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland secured a record victory over Joe Schmidt’s Wallabies on a wet Saturday night at the Aviva Stadium. It was comfortably the best display of t...

What will Joe Schmidt's legacy with Australia be?

14 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After beating the Lions in the last Test and running them close in the series as a whole, Australia have gone downhill. They started this November win...

Ireland’s unconvincing Japan job

11 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland 41 Japan 10: back on track after the Chicago disappointment or a worrying, laboured victory? Did Ireland get what they needed from returning p...

A big weekend for Ireland’s emerging rugby talent

07 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Two Irish sides take to the pitch on Saturday; Andy Farrell’s senior outfit takes on Japan before a second-string side play Spain. Plenty of interes...

Are Ireland sliding down rugby's global pecking order?

04 Nov 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Where does Ireland’s defeat to the All Blacks leave them in world rugby’s hierarchy? After a solid if unspectacular opening hour, Ireland collapse...

Can Ireland upset the odds against New Zealand?

31 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Is this the most undercooked an Irish side has been heading into an international window? Is Andy Farrell picking on form? What to make of Jack Crowle...

How to save a young Irish rugby player’s career

28 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

In a slightly different episode, Gordon D’Arcy has gone digging around his attic for career memories. A teammate feedback sheet from his aged 21 sea...

After a decade of success, can Irish rugby continue to achieve?

24 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Brendan Fanning has just published a book on the modern history of Irish rugby. Looking at recent successes, he speaks to the heavy hitters involved t...

What we learned from Munster’s emphatic win over Leinster

21 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Munster battered their provincial rivals for the first time in a long time, potentially igniting this derby match for the future. Were Leinster simply...

Ireland’s November squad: valuable rotation or more of the same?

17 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Farrell named a settled Ireland squad for the upcoming November internationals this week. With just one uncapped player - Leinster’s Paddy McCa...

How are Leinster and Munster stacking up ahead of their first meeting of the season?

14 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time this season, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan are back together on The Counter Ruck to pick through the weekend’s rugby acti...

Which new academy players could shine for the provinces?

10 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Another provincial preview but this one is a little different. After going through things at senior level, Nathan Johns is joined by John O’Sullivan...

How many Ireland jerseys are up for grabs ahead of the Autumn Nations Series?

07 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The weekend’s provincial action took a hit as Connacht and Ulster both saw their games postponed courtesy of Storm Amy. Munster managed to get their...

How can Ireland build on their World Cup success?

03 Oct 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Four years after failing to qualify for the World Cup, few would argue that a valiant quarter-final defeat to France represents progress for the Irish...

Provincial rivals get a head start on Leinster

30 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The opening weekend of the URC season has been and gone with three out of the four Irish provinces recording victories. Stuart Lancaster and Clayton M...

Provincial previews - How will Connacht and Leinster fare this season?

26 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Our province-by-province preview series concludes out West and in the capital. Connacht have a new coaching staff led by Stuart Lancaster while Leinst...

Provincial previews: How will Munster and Ulster get on this season?

24 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The return of the URC is upon us as all four provinces gear up for the new campaign. New coaches, new players, teams looking to improve on a down seas...

Biting controversy overshadows Ireland’s quarter-final near miss

16 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland came close to upsetting France in the World Cup quarter-final, only for an improved display to come up short. How did they nearly pull off the...

Ireland suffer at the hands of a vengeful New Zealand

09 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland’s green wave came crashing back down to earth after a 40-0 defeat to New Zealand in Brighton. The saving grace is that, after defeating Japa...

Ireland set up New Zealand showdown

02 Sep 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland have qualified for a Women’s World Cup quarter-final for the first time since 2014 having beaten Spain. Whether they win the pool, and their...

Ireland’s joyous World Cup start

26 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland returned to the World Cup stage with a dominant win over Japan. Given the day that’s in it, a first World Cup match for all bar one of the s...

Ireland’s 2017 World Cup misery - what can be learned?

22 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland’s last Women’s World Cup appearance came in 2017. It was supposed to be a crowning moment, a global tournament hosted on Irish soil. Inste...

Ireland’s World Cup: limping to the start line or a golden opportunity?

12 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland’s World Cup campaign is fast approaching. Yet perhaps due to Lions fatigue, the build-up has been somewhat muted. Maybe the bandwagon won’...

Ireland are back at the World Cup. How will they fare?

08 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After missing out on the 2021 edition, Ireland are back in World Cup action as they prepare for the upcoming campaign in England. Matches against Japa...

How will the 2025 Lions be remembered?

05 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Lions failed in their bid of a Test whitewash but still travel home from Australia as series winners. It seems that this series took a while to ki...

Who is Ireland’s greatest ever Lion?

01 Aug 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nine Irish players start in the Lions Test side in back-to-back weeks. But will this be remembered as a vintage tour, even with all the Irish represen...

Thrilling second Test saves Lions tour from ignominy

29 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As expected, the Lions are series winners having secured a 2-0 lead heading into the final Test against the Wallabies in Sydney. But, Melbourne’s se...

Is it do or die for Australia in the second test against the Lions?

25 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This year’s Lions tour has been laden with negative coverage of how the tourists have endeared themselves to (or otherwise) to the Australian public...

Andy Farrell's Lions fire the first shot in Australia

21 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

As was widely expected, the Lions were too strong for Australia during Saturday’s first Test in Brisbane. How did Andy Farrell’s side go about wor...

How can the depleted Wallabies survive a Lions onslaught?

18 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The teams have been named for Saturday’s first Lions Test and Australia are missing a number of big names. With Will Skelton, Rob Valetini and Tanie...

Slow Lions build-up finally culminates in Test week

15 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to recap the weekend’s action: South Africa’s hijinks, Ireland’s century and the Li...

Does Andy Farrell know his best Lions XV yet?

11 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The rugby action continues to come thick and fast. John O’Sullivan is in Portugal to preview Ireland’s clash in Lisbon, and he joins host Nathan J...

Ireland impress as the Lions struggle

08 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The rugby action continues at full steam ahead. The Lions struggled against the Waratahs in Sydney while Ireland’s second string impressed in Tbilis...

Who needs to make an impact on Ireland’s summer tour?

04 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

While the Lions tour continues on its merry way, Ireland are back in action for the first time since the Six Nations. John O’Sullivan is in Tbilisi ...

Which Irish players have impressed for the Lions?

01 Jul 2025

Contributed by Lukas

A busy weekend of rugby action saw plenty of Irish involvement in the Lions win over the Western Force, a Top14 final for the ages in France, Peter O’...

Tom Court - Ireland's accidental Lion

26 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Lions tours are full of stories of players being called up last minute, dashing across the world to get an opportunity to pull on the red jersey. Form...

Will the Lions tour save Australian rugby?

24 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Imagine Irish rugby had to compete with a professional GAA and a thriving League of Ireland for talent. Would the country still be so successful?That ...

The Lions in Dublin - what to expect?

19 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After a lengthy build-up, the Lions tour is finally upon us. Andy Farrell and co come to Dublin on Friday night to take on Argentina before travelling...

Have Leinster answered their critics with this URC title win?

17 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After weeks of criticism, Leinster have answered their Champions Cup disappointment in the best way possible.A first trophy since 2021 was secured by ...

How can Leinster end their Bulls hoodoo?

12 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Leinster have played the Bulls twice in knockouts since 2022. Both times, they lost. The South African game plan has been clear: beat them up front. B...

Will Leinster’s siege mentality help them win the URC?

10 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

After weeks of consistent (yet fair) criticism, Leinster turned in a performance to silence the critics. At least for now, their ultimate test for thi...

Which Ireland players will step up for the summer squad while the Lions are away?

05 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It may be URC semi-final week, but the rugby news cycle has been dominated by events away from Leinster. Connacht have pulled off a big-name manageria...

Munster’s shootout defeat - the dark arts in rugby, yay or nay?

03 Jun 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to talk through a dramatic URC quarter-final weekend. Munster’s shootout defeat to the Sharks in Durban has domin...

How can the provinces break France’s dominance?

29 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gerry Thornley joins the latest episode of The Counter Ruck fresh off his trip to Cardiff to watch the Champions Cup final.He breaks down the future l...

Why Leinster now have to win the URC

27 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This weekend was a quiet one for Irish rugby, with no provincial involvement in the Champions Cup final. Still, plenty of intriguing storylines emerge...

Is French club rugby becoming more popular than Ligue 1?

22 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Bordeaux seem to represent a rare enough phenomenon; a domestic rugby team growing in both on-field and commercial success. They are the best attended...

Were the IRFU right to cut the men’s Sevens?

20 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Nearly a week on from the IRFU’s decision to cut the men’s Sevens programme, Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join Nathan Johns to debate the...

‘Getting the top two inches ready’ - How important is sports psychology to breaking a losing habit?

15 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Inevitably, plenty of public commentary in the last few weeks has focused on Leinster’s inability to get over the line in big games. Clearly, they h...

Have rugby fans stopped caring about the URC?

13 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This weekend was a crucial round of URC action, with Munster and Ulster squaring off for playoff places, Connacht looking to stay in the hunt and Lein...

Who is in the most Irish Lions squad of all time and why?

09 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Andy Farrell has picked his long-awaited Lions squad ahead of this summer’s tour to Australia. 15 Irishmen have been named, a record for the touring...

Where do Leinster go next after more Champions Cup heartache?

06 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Prior to Saturday, Leinster hadn’t conceded a point in European knockout action this year. No team had run in five tries against them in this compet...

Leinster vs Northampton - the comeback final revisited

01 May 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Just one Irish province is in action this weekend, with Leinster taking on Northampton in the Champions Cup semi-finals. Joining Gordon D’Arcy and N...

Will Leinster be the only Irish team in the URC knockouts?

29 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

For the first time since 2015, all four Irish provinces lost on a single weekend of domestic action. Add this to Ireland women’s defeat to Scotland ...

Should the 7-1 split be outlawed?

24 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The now infamous 7-1 forward split on the bench hit the headlines once again recently when World Rugby announced they would not be outlawing the pract...

How to fix the Champions Cup?

22 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The Champions Cup is not the competition it used to be. For all Munster’s recent trips to France provided a feel-good window of sport at its best, p...

Why do Leinster keep signing All Blacks?

17 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On any other day, an Irish provincial coach leaving his job with immediate effect would be front page news. As it happens, on the same day Pete Wilkin...

Will Champions Cup blowouts come back to haunt Leinster?

15 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Watching the Champions Cup rugby action over the weekend, Gordon D’Arcy was taken by young Henry Pollock. The 20-year-old England flanker scored twi...

Joey Carbery, Munster and Ireland - where did it all go wrong?

10 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Munster’s reward for their victory in La Rochelle is a Champions Cup quarter-final tie away in Bordeaux. Their former outhalf, Joey Carbery, started...

How did Munster stun O’Gara’s La Rochelle?

08 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

The weekend’s rugby action brought a result to remember for Munster in their first competitive outing against La Rochelle, coached by their former o...

A history of Leinster and Harlequins' 'bloody' rivalry

03 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Irish players prepare for another European weekend of action, with Leinster taking on Harlequins, Munster playing La Rochelle in the Ronan O’Gara de...

How did Leinster’s young guns outmatch the Sharks?

01 Apr 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to review the weekend’s action. How did Connacht fail to take advantage of Munster’s red card in the test in th...

Have the Lions left Ireland in the lurch?

27 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

On Wednesday, Andy Farrell confirmed three Irish coaches would be his assistants for the upcoming Lions tour. Simon Easterby, John Fogarty and Andrew ...

The gap between club and international rugby is widening - here's why it matters

24 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

This weekend saw a series of thrilling, high scoring matches in the United Rugby Championship. Leinster, Munster and Connacht all lost - Ulster provid...

What next for the provinces after the Six Nations?

21 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Attention turns to provincial action and the women’s Six Nations after a lengthy men’s international campaign. With senior internationals set to b...

Are Ireland only Europe’s third best team?

17 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Ireland’s final standing in the Six Nations depends on how you frame it. Third in Europe behind France and England doesn’t sound ideal. But plenty...

Steve Aboud: the Irishman who saved Italian rugby

14 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

Steve Aboud is widely credited with revitalising Italy’s youth development. A number of the players leading the country’s rise from the bottom of ...

Is it easy to over-react to Ireland’s French defeat?

10 Mar 2025

Contributed by Lukas

It’s been a long time since Ireland were beaten as badly as Saturday’s French shellacking. Back in 2022 they also lost to 15 points away in New Ze...