The Ruck

A Back Row at Scrum Half? It Might Just Work...

13 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot, Lawrence Dallaglio, Stuart Barnes and Alex Lowe review the latest action in Europe, discuss the likely quarter-final line-up and look ahead...

Good Evans! What Next for English Rugby?

06 Jan 2020

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot and former Saracens Director of Rugby, Mark Evans, to discuss the latest comings and goings down Hendon Way....

That Was The Decade That Was...

30 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a special festive edition, Owen Slot is joined by Stephen Jones, Stuart Barnes and Alex Lowe to pick a Team of the Decade, nominate their Rugby God...

The Ruck Christmas Party

23 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Lowe, Stephen Jones, Adam Hathaway and Mike Aylwin join forces for the 2019 Ruck Christmas Party. They discuss the battle at the bottom of the Ga...

The Battle of Brent Cross

16 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones, Owen Slot, Stuart Barnes and Alex Lowe discuss the set-to between Saracens and Munster, wonder why some English clubs have been slackin...

The Good, The Bath and The Ugly...

09 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and Stuart Barnes discuss the weekend's European action, decide who have been the players of the tournament so far and a...

In The Bleak East Midlands...

02 Dec 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot, Lawrence Dallaglio and Alex Lowe discuss Eddie Jones, Northampton's success and what Leicester need to do to avoid relegation. Plus, Ollie ...

Don't Mention The "S" Word...

25 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and Stephen Jones are back from Japan and it's fair to say they don't see eye-to-eye on the Saracens scandal. Plus, all ...

Lost in Translation

03 Nov 2019

Contributed by Lukas

It's the final show from Tokyo as Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Alex Lowe reflect on England's defeat to South Africa in the Rugby ...

It's The Final Countdown

31 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Alex Lowe to look ahead to the Rugby World Cup final. Find out why everyone's confident o...

The Greatest Ever

28 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones is joined by Owen Slot, David Walsh, Alex Lowe and Gavin Rich to discuss the Rugby World Cup semi-finals. And find out why Lawrence Dall...

Let It Go... It's The Semi-Finals!

25 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones, Alasdair Reid and Alex Lowe ahead of England and Wales in Rugby World Cup semi-final action....

And Then There Were Four...

21 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is reunited with Times colleagues Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Alex "Arthur" Lowe in Tokyo as they review the quarter-finals. Find ...

What a Weekend!

17 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio's arrived in Japan, where he's joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Peter O'Reilly to look ahead to a mouth-watering weekend of R...

The Miracle of Yokohama

13 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones, Peter O'Reilly and Alex Lowe after Japan beat both Scotland and Typhoon Hagibis to reach the...

Tackling Typhoon Hagibis

10 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot and Stephen Jones, who are sitting out Typhoon Hagibis from the 28th floor of their Tokyo hotel. What are th...

David Walsh Doping Special

09 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

In a bonus edition of The Ruck, Stephen Jones is in conversation with David Walsh, chief sports writer for The Sunday Times. They discuss doping in ru...

"Don't Upset Mrs Farrell..."

07 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones, Alex Lowe and Steve James. Find out who upset Owen Farrell's mum, who thinks England will be...

A blitz from the All Blacks, France leaving it late, and England v Argentina

03 Oct 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Stephen Jones to review this week's World Cup games, and of course preview England v Argentina. Hosted on Acast. See ...

Seismic Shocks, Welsh Wonders and a Pod in a Pod

30 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Peter O'Reilly to review Japan's historic victory over Ireland and a win for Wales agains...

Rare Beef, Red Cards and Running Rugby

27 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Alasdair Reid of The Times as well as Sir Clive Woodward to assess England's first two fi...

Soft Scots, Ropy Referees and Slotty's Expenses

23 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rugby World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Owen Slot and Stephen Jones to look back at the opening weekend of the Rugby World Cup. They di...

The Big Rugby World Cup Kick-Off

19 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio, Owen Slot and Stephen Jones ask whether Wales will miss Rob Howley, how a death metal singer is helping the hosts and you too can ...

Rugby World Cup 2019 Preview Part 2

16 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Lawrence Dallaglio and fellow Times and Sunday Times rugby writers Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones and Owen Slot complete their Rugby World Cup preview. ...

Rugby World Cup 2019 Preview Part 1

10 Sep 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Rugby World Cup winner Lawrence Dallaglio is joined by Ruck regulars Owen Slot, Stephen Jones and Stuart Barnes to ask if England, Wales, Ireland or a...

LifeTimes with Eddie Jones

25 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Eddie Jones is one of the finest, sharpest and most inventive coaches in rugby union and this year he will lead England to a World Cup.In this&nb...

Shambles of the season...

03 Jun 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Shambles of the season...In the final Ruck podcast of the series Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot and Alex Lowe to pay tribute to Exeter and praise Sa...

Why are Saracens so good?

28 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Coaching, culture, recruitment, the salary cap, all of the above?Owen Slot heads to the pub with former players Alistair Hargreaves, Chris Wyles and W...

Every Premiership team ranked

20 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Stuart Barnes, Alex Lowe and Adam Hathaway to assess every Premiership clubs season. The panel then predict and preview th...

Rugby faces a tipping point

13 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot, Mark Evans and Michael Aylwin reflect on Saracens triumph, and who who can stop them in future. Then Mark and Micheal talk about ...

Dallaglio on Europe, Wasps and the class of 2003

07 May 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones sits down with Lawrence Dallaglio to remember his career in Europe and preview the Champions Cup final.  Dallaglio also d...

This season's best signing?

29 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This week Owen Slot is joined by Ben Ryan, Chris Jones and Alex Lowe.The questions to the panel are: Is this really the most exciting Premiership ever...

Special: Premier 15s final preview

25 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones travels to Franklin's Gardens ahead of the decisive Premier 15's final between Saracens and Harlequins on Saturday. Captains Lotte Clap...

Saracens, football behaviour and half games

23 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Saracens, football behaviour and half games Stephen Jones presents from Franklin's Gardens with Owen Slot, Nick Cain and Adam Hathaway. Is f...

Wayne Barnes referees Slot vs Jones

15 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot and Stephen Jones sit down with referee Wayne Barnes to review the week in rugby. The panel discuss great rugby comebacks in honour of ...

Bloodgate: 10 Years On (Part Two)

12 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

This is the second part of a special programme brought to you by our colleagues at talkSPORT, marking ten years since Bloodgate, an incident that shoo...

Bloodgate: 10 Years On (Part One)

11 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

talkSPORT presents Bloodgate: 10 Years On The scandal stained the reputation of Harlequins and the image of Rugby. We return to April 1...

Restart Rugby's role dealing with physical and mental heath

08 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Rochelle Clark, Christian Day and Owen Slot for a packed review of the weekends action and detailed focus on RPA charity Restar...

Who were the Remainers and Leavers in Europe this Weekend?

01 Apr 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Lowe, Mark Evans and Adam Hathaway have the final word on the European quarter-finals, discuss where next for World Rugby and back Alex Goode for...

The headache of coaching in France

25 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot, welcomes Alan Dymock, Sam Peters and Rory Teague.They cover Leicester's relegation threat and the laws of the game being reviewed in P...

Wales Worthy Winners but What Next for Warren's Wonders?

18 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot is joined by fellow Times and Sunday Times writers Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones and Adam Hathaway to review the Six Nations and ask what nex...

Are England Flat-Track Bullies?

11 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot is joined by Stephen Jones, Lawrence Dallaglio and England women's captain, Sarah Hunter to discuss the penultimate week of this year's Six ...

Saracens, the world league and fighting Georgians

04 Mar 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot is joined by Stuart Barnes and Ben Kay to discuss fighting in training, Saracens and the salary cap, new plans for the 'World League' and pr...

Wales expose England's lack of plan b

25 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Was Wales win a one off? Can Wales win the World Cup? Did England have a plan B? Owen Slot welcomes Sarah Hunter, Stephen Jones and Ben Ryan...

Sam Warburton Special

21 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded in Cardiff, Sam Warburton tells Stephen Jones why Wales must pick a team which plays to their strengths not England's weaknesses, why he's mo...

6 Nations Week 3 Preview

18 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

6 NATIONS Week 3 Preview Stephen Jones is joined by Mark Evans, Alex Lowe and Steve James to preview a huge Six Nations match between England and...

Putting England victories into context

11 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot welcomes World Cup winners Lawrence Dallaglio, Michael Lynagh and Sarah Hunter to contextualize England’s crushing defeat of France. ...

The performance England have waited for

04 Feb 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot welcomes Stuart Barnes, Stephen Jones, Peter O'Reilly and Sarah Hunter to discuss a fantastic opening weekend in the Six Nations.They c...

The best week in rugby

28 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Stuart Barnes, Nick Cain and red top king Adam Hathaway to preview the greatest tournament in rugby.Peter O'Reilly explains the...

Is everyone playing the same way?

21 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Nick Easter, Simon Halliday and Nigel Botherway to cover a wide range of topics.Nick Easter outlines the lure of coaching in So...

Barnes vs Jones

17 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

To coincide with Stuart Barnes' new book, Stephen Jones grills his old friend on his life in rugby. Including: why the book doesn't have a chrono...

How to progress in Europe

14 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Stuart Barnes, Mark Palmer and Martin Gillingham to focus on Scottish and French teams in Europe.There's also a previ...

Breakaways and ring-fencing

07 Jan 2019

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe, Al Dymock, and Mark Evans to discuss big issues off the field.Is the club breakaway threat credible and could releg...

Sam Peters, gobgate and bold predictions

31 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot hosts Stephen Jones and Adam Hathaway to digest a remarkable week of rugby. First, Sam Peters joins the podcast to discuss his altercat...

Christmas Special

24 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Steve James and Mark Evans for a festive special.Can the panel cope with Owen's quiz of the year, which are the best...

Best team ever

17 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes former England international Danielle Waterman, Sunday Times writer Sam Peters and Adam Hathaway.  The panel review t...

Club culture sinking Leicester and Wasps

10 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Steve James and Mark Evans to review another entertaining weekend of rugby in Europe.The panel debate: is the money ...

The end of relegation

03 Dec 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot is joined by Alex Lowe, Ben Ryan and Nick Easter. Ring-fencing looms. With so many teams in the relegation fight, will the Premiership ...

Autumn's Real Winners and Losers

26 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones is joined by Al Dymock, Nigel Botherway and Owen Slot in the studio to take a look at the state of rugby worldwide. We assess the curren...

Ireland and England were playing different sports

19 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot welcomes Michael Lynagh, Adam Hathaway and Stephen Jones to discuss another thrilling weekend of internationals.  The panel exalt ...

What goes around comes around for England

12 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Was it a try or not, why didn't England take the points in the second half, what does a win over Australia win mean for Wales, and can Ireland beat th...

England's Elliot Daly Problem

05 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Stuart Barnes and Sarah Mockford to pour over the weekends Autumn Internationals.Including full analysis of South Af...

Sam Warburton Interview Special Part Two

01 Nov 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones continues his conversation with former Wales captain and new Times columnist Sam Warburton in part two of this special episode.Sam candi...

Sam Warburton Interview Special Part One

30 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones sits down with former Wales captain Sam Warburton to discuss his life in rugby and how he’s coping without the routine and structure o...

Why Christian Wade is "peeing in the wind"

23 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

PLUS plaudits for Newcastle and why the All Blacks are "sandbagging".Owen Slot welcomes Adam Hathaway, Al Dymock of Rugby World and Liam Napier from t...

Rugby League of Nations makes little sense

15 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 Hei...

Who would admit cheating to the ref?

08 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 seemi...

Rob Horne interview: dealing with paralysis and early retirement

03 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 in...

Bath tell Premiership they're not good enough

01 Oct 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alex Lowe and former World Cup winning player, Danielle Waterman.They cover the fallout from Bath resting players, w...

The reason Eddie Jones can't be honest about Cipriani

24 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Alex Lowe welcomes Paul Grayson, Alan Dymock and Stephen Jones to debate the exclusion of Danny Cipriani, whether new defence coach John Mitchell...

Why New Zealand defeat gives the rest of the world hope

17 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

PLUSWas 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 ...

Special: is Rugby safe to play?

10 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 rug...

Welcome back Bristol

03 Sep 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Premiership Preview

28 Aug 2018

Contributed by Lukas

The Ruck returns as Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alex Lowe and Alan Dymock.The panel comprehensively preview the new Premiership season and form ...

Special: alcoholism and addiction in rugby

03 Jul 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Ruck on Tour: third test recovery

25 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded in Camps Bay, South Africa, Stephen Jones and Owen Slot conclude season two of The Ruck by reflecting on England's final test victory, their ...

The Ruck on tour: Eddie Jones must admit flaws and change

18 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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

The Ruck on tour: England's nightmare continues

11 Jun 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Ben Ryan Interview Special

29 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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,...

Gustard's vote of no confidence in England

21 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

A golden age for Irish rugby

14 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes Owen Slot, Alan Dymock and Peter O'Reilly. The panel review the Champions Cup final, discuss Danny Cipriani's move to Glou...

The Ruck Awards

08 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 seaso...

Women's Rugby Special

01 May 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stephen Jones welcomes three titans from Women's rugby for a special extended episode: England's leading cap holder Rochelle Clark, Wasps Ladies coach...

A dip in European quality and the end for Hartley

24 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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

Harlequins boiling frog problem

16 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot welcomes The Observer's Michael Aylwin and Rugby World's Alan Dymock.  The panel discuss: the top fifty young players to watch, th...

Struggling Giants.

09 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

This week Owen Slot ls joined in the studio by Chris Jones (Evening Standard), Tom Hamilton (ESPN) and Stephen Jones (Sunday Times). We hear about som...

Rugby Economics and Fly-Half Targeting?

03 Apr 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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

European preview and injury crisis analysis

26 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

More nations analysed and the story behind a Spanish shambles

20 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 ...

The Autopsy

19 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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

The changes England must make

12 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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

Special: lessons from the professional era

08 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 professi...

Weekend Four Previewed

05 Mar 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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....

Was this England's watershed moment?

26 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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

A visit to Pennyhill Park

19 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Recorded from England's training camp, Owen Slot welcomes Alex Lowe from The Times and Alex Spink from The Mirror. They discuss why the Calc...

The future of rugby

13 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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...

Was it a try?

12 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Owen Slot welcomes Rugby World's, Al Dymock, The Observer's, Michael Aylwin and Times columnist, Ben Kay.The panel discuss, the Sam Underhill tac...

First weekend reviewed: Simmonds, drop goals and church bells

05 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 discus...

6 Nations live special: Barnes, Jones, Slot, Roberts and Hogan

01 Feb 2018

Contributed by Lukas

Stuart Barnes hosts a special episode, welcoming former Ireland international and Sunday Times columnist Shane Horgan, Wales internatio...

6 Nations Opening Weekend Preview

29 Jan 2018

Contributed by Lukas

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 strength...