The Ruck Rugby Podcast

Following the conclusion of the 2025 Lions tour Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Owen Slot and Will Kelleher bring you one final pod from Australian soil.They reflect on a joyous 7 weeks covering the tour, including their final reflections on the test series and what the future of the Lions tour looks like. How can they make the tour games in Australia more engaging? Should there be a Barmy Army-style supporter package to make it affordable for a younger audience? And, have the Wallabies' performances in the final two matches given hope for their home world cup in 2027? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The 2025 British & Irish Lions tour to Australia ended with one of the most bizarre test matches!Biblical rainfall and a thunderstorm delayed proceedings before Australia won the match in Sydney. Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe join Alfie Reynolds to round up the occasion and the series as a whole.They ask whether Australia were under-prepared for the first test and how much that cost them in the three game series? Is a 2-1 series victory for the Lions an accurate reflection of how good they are? And, what on earth was going on when play was stopped early in the second half? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Owen Slot preview the third and final test in the 2025 Lions tour.They discuss why Andy Farrell naming such a strong squad is no surprise as the Lions eye a 3-0 series victory. Plus they ask whether Australia are capable of winning the match to avoid being labelled the 'worst' opposition the Lions have faced.They also salute Tadhg Furlong as he is set to start his 9th straight test and how much winning on Saturday will determine the Lions' legacy. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the controversial ending to the 2nd test between Australia and the Lions, Will and Alfie are joined by Christy Doran, rugby editor of The Roar, to get the Aussie perspective. They chat about how Australian rugby can be successful ahead of a home world cup in 2027 and the importance of winning the final test in the series. Plus, the boys provide an update from the Lions ahead of the final test and ask what is the purpose of a Lions tour? Winning or something more? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British & Irish Lions have won the test series against Australia! Hugo Kennan scored the winning try in the final play of the game to cap off an extraordinary match at the MCG.Alfie, Alex and Will reflect on a match which will go down in Lions history. They chat about Jac Morgan's controversial clear out at the end of the game, how impressive the Lions were to come from behind and the utter devastation for Australia. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the second test between Australia and the British & Irish Lions, Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell have named their sides.Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher, Owen Slot and Alfie Reynolds are in Melbourne to look ahead to what could be a series clinching match for the Lions, or will Australia respond to their defeat in Brisbane?They discuss both team selections, including Garry Ringrose ruling himself out through injury, Will Skelton's return for the Wallabies and Joe Schmidt's anti-hype approach to the series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British & Irish Lions won their final tour game on Australian soil as they beat the First Nations and Pasifika XV at Marvel Stadium in Melbourne.Alfie, Alex, Will and Owen are pitch side to review the match and ask whether it was the best tour game so far? And, does it give an idea on how Australia could beat the Lions int he second test? They also discuss all the selection dilemmas facing Andy Farrell, including whether Owen could feature on Saturday, who replaces Joe McCarthy and whether Jac Morgan could will be involved. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British & Irish Lions are 1-0 up in the test series against Australia. They won 27-19 in Brisbane to gain a huge advantage in the three test series. Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are on hand to look back on the match. They discuss a very impressive Lions performance in which they physically dominated the Wallabies and ask how Australia can get back into the series? Plus, they praise Ellis Genge, Tadhg Beirne, Tom Curry and Finn Russell's performances. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Australia and the Lions have named their matchday squads for the first test in Brisbane on Saturday. Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are alongside Alfie Reynolds to go through all the big talking points. The Wallabies are without Will Skelton and Rob Valetini, how big a blow is that to their chances? Why has Andy Farrell selected Tom Curry over Jac Morgan? And, is this a Lions squad designed to overpower Australia? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's the week of the first test between the Wallabies and the British & Irish Lions!Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher, Owen Slot and Stephen Jones are in Brisbane to look ahead to the match. They ask whether the tour matches have adequately prepared the Lions for the series. Plus, what do the latest call-ups tell us about the modern tour? Do they devalue the brand or show the midweek matches between tests need to be a thing of the past?Plus, Will chats to Justin Harrison and Owen Finegan to look back on 2001 when Australia beat the Lions. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British & Irish Lions are heading to Brisbane to prepare for the first test match against the Wallabies.They defeated a combined Australia and New Zealand XV 48-0 in Adelaide but lost Luke Cowan-Dickie to injury and will be without Garry Ringrose for the first match of the test series. Jamie George has been called up as cover at hooker.Alfie, Will and Alex look back on the match and also discuss who Andy Farrell could select in his matchday 23 for that game in a weeks time. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British & Irish Lions defeated the ACT Brumbies 36-24 in Canberra. Another win for Andy Farrell's side but was it another performance which adds more questions for this Lions side?Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe are alongside Alfie Reynolds in an empty GIO Stadium to reflect on the match. They ask how much the Lions are holding back ahead of the test series against Australia? Is fatigue and the busy travel schedule catching up with the side? And, could Blair Kinghorn be ruled out of the tour? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Andy Farrell has named his side to take on the ACT Brumbies on Wednesday and it is the strongest of the tour so far. So, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are alongside Alfie Reynolds to ask whether this is the side who will start the first match of the test series against Australia? They chat about which players are fighting to keep their spots in the team and what it tells us about how the Lions are approaching the series. They also reflect on Australia's unconvincing victory over Fiji and whether the incessant TMO interventions are becoming a major problem. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British & Irish Lions defeated the NSW Waratahs 21-10 in Sydney for their third straight victory on Australian soil. But, are problems emerging for head coach Andy Farrell?Alfie Reynolds, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe reflect on the performance and question whether the players are executing the gameplan in the way the coaches want. They also discuss who is dropping out of test match contention and what the Lions need to do on Wednesday against the Brumbies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Owen Farrell has been called up to the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad!Following the biggest news of the tour so far, Alex Lowe, Stephen Jones and Will Kelleher chat through the reasons for and against Andy bringing Owen onto the tour. Is he too out of form? Or does his vast experience outweigh the risks in his selection? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie, Will and Alex are at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane to review the Lions beating Queensland Reds 52-12 to win back to back games on Aussie soil. They chat about Elliot Daly picking up an arm injury which could rule him out of the tour and where that leaves Andy Farrell and his full-back options. They heap praise on Jac Morgan who put in a strong performance in the back row and Alex questions whether the Lions could be playing an ambitious attacking style in these tour games to try and fool the Wallabies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie, Will and Alex react to the news that Tomos Williams' Lions tour is over! The Wales scrum-half suffered a hamstring injury on Saturday so Scotland's Ben White has been called up in his place.They also discuss all the other big talking points from Andy Farrell's squad to play the Queensland Reds on Wednesday, including the half-back partnership of Jamison Gibson-Park and Finn Russell, the return of Maro Itoje and the back-row balance.Plus, they speak to Queensland Reds assistant coach, John Fisher. He previously worked at London Irish so chats about the incredible talent they had at the club when it went under, how they can tactically exploit the Lions in a few days and what a great occasion taking on the best of the northern hemisphere will be. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The British & Irish Lions are up and running Down Under. They defeated the Western Force 54-7 in Perth and Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Stephen Jones and Will Kelleher are here to review all of the action. They've decamped to the hotel lobby to look back on the action including the Lions being unable to catch a restart, why Ben White needs to be called up as injury cover immediately and whether we are heading for a tour where the midweek side is actually closer to the test team. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From The Ruck, the rugby podcast from the Times & Sunday Times we present: The Red Lions.A special three-part podcast series covering 75 years of the British & Irish Lions through the voices of the players involved and the pages of The Times and Sunday Times.The Lions have been rugby's great adventurers since 1888. But it was not until the 1950 tour of New Zealand that they adopted their famous red jersey.Through this series we will build a golden thread that links that band of intrepid adventurers - the last to go on tour by boat - with this year's ultra professional squad of Lions who will take on Australia.Episode three begins with the Lions struggling for success in the professional era and unable to emulate the triumph of '97 before finishing with the strangest Lions tour of all, during covid times in South Africa. In between Ian McGeechan and Warren Gatland steer the famous red jersey to glory in defeat, victory and a draw. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From The Ruck, the rugby podcast from the Times & Sunday Times we present: The Red Lions.A special three-part podcast series covering 75 years of the British & Irish Lions through the voices of the players involved and the pages of The Times and Sunday Times.The Lions have been rugby's great adventurers since 1888. But it was not until the 1950 tour of New Zealand that they adopted their famous red jersey.Through this series we will build a golden thread that links that band of intrepid adventurers - the last to go on tour by boat - with this year's ultra professional squad of Lions who will take on Australia.On episode two we track the Lions from 1977 to the glory of 1997, as they struggle to emulate the invincibles of '74 before their crowning glory of South Africa in '97, which catapulted the Lions brand into a whole new stratosphere. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

From The Ruck, the rugby podcast from the Times & Sunday Times we present: The Red Lions.A special three-part podcast series covering 75 years of the British & Irish Lions through the voices of the players involved and the pages of The Times and Sunday Times.The Lions have been rugby's great adventurers since 1888. But it was not until the 1950 tour of New Zealand that they adopted their famous red jersey.Through this series we will build a golden thread that links that band of intrepid adventurers - the last to go on tour by boat - with this year's ultra professional squad of Lions who will take on Australia. On this first episode we track the lions from 1950 to 1974 as they go from wide eyed adventurers to invincibles via the stories of Bryn Meredith, Willie John McBride and Andy Irvine. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie and Will are in Perth covering the British & Irish Lions as the 2025 tour to Australia is up and running. They chat to one of the heroes of 2013, George North, who looks back on his iconic moments against the Wallabies and picks up his Lions back three to start the test series. They also chat about the defeat to Argentina, the latest injury news for the Lions and a possible storm brewing if Australia don't release their test players for the tour matches. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Bath are champions of England for the first time since 1996! They beat Leicester 23-21 and Alfie Reynolds, Stephen Jones and Stuart Barnes react from the stands at Twickenham. Stuart reflects on his former side finally winning the title and what it means for the city, whilst Steve says that the blue, black and white now need to go on and dominate English rugby. They chat about Finn Russell's brilliant performance, the exceptional job Johann Van Graan has done and question where Leicester go next season with some many departures. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie and Will look back on a brilliant weekend of Premiership Rugby semi-finals as Bath and Leicester book their spot at Twickenham. Can Bath end a 29 year wait to be crowned champions of England? And, they continue to be confused as to how good Leicester actually are! They also reflect on Bristol and Sale, who lost in those semi-finals, and where both clubs go from here. Plus, they have the latest British & Irish Lions squad news and why the new franchise rugby competition R360 is 'delusional'! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

It's Premiership semi-final week! So Alfie and Will head to Bath to speak with Finn Russell, Will Stuart and Johann van Graan. They find out how the club became the best team in England this season, what goes into facing their rivals Bristol in the semi-final on Friday and what winning a Premiership title would mean. Plus, they preview the other semi-final between Leicester and Sale, discuss the controversial penalty shootout in the URC between the Sharks and Munster and they ask whether Owen Farrell could really be returning to Saracens next season. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Stuart Barnes review the European finals over the weekend. Alex reflects on Northampton's defeat to Bordeaux in a brilliant Champions Cup final and Stuart explains why the constant TMO interventions in high profile matches are a major issue for the sport. Plus, they chat about Henry Pollock, whether the Challenge Cup can be the platform for Bath to now win the Premiership and an update on the club world championship which is set to start in 2028. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie, Will and Alex are in Richmond as the British & Irish Lions squad meet for the first time since Andy Farrell named his touring party. So, why is Sione Tuipulotu set to be a tour favourite? Hear why Ollie Chessum is getting stick for his reaction to being named on the tour? And, what is the first Lions tour he remembers watching? Plus, Will and Alex chat to former England and British & Irish Lions prop Mako Vunipola about life playing for Vannes in France and his illustrious Lions career. The boys look back on the Premiership fixtures this week and ask whether Bath are coasting to the title, and update on some news about the Wallabies. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie, Steve, Alex and Will look back on the Premiership action over the weekend including showpiece matches in Cardiff and at Twickenham. They discuss how encouraging those events are for the league and whether all clubs need to buy into them. Plus, they get into the top four shake-up, why Andy Farrell may need to call up more players for the Lions first game in Dublin and some news on the Nations Championship final being played in America in 2030. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie, Alex and Will are at the O2 after Andy Farrell named his British & Irish Lions squad to tour Australia this summer. Maro Itoje was revealed as the captain, with both Henry Pollock and Marcus Smith also included. The boys go through the big talking points including the incredible rise of Pollock, the lowest number of Welsh players for a tour post-war and whether Owen Farrell could find his way onto the tour. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie and Will look back on Northampton Saints producing one of the greatest upsets in European club rugby history by beating Leinster and progressing into the Champions Cup final. They are also in Bristol where they chat to Ellis Genge and Bristol's Chief Operating Officer Tom Tainton ahead of the club facing rivals Bath in Cardiff on the weekend. Plus, they have big news about a potential Lions starter suffering a serious injury! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of Andy Farrell naming his British & Irish Lions squad to Australia on 8th May, The Ruck team go through their selections. With it being a week to go until the official squad is revealed, Alfie, Alex, Will and Steve select the 37-player squad they would choose. Does Owen Farrell get on the tour? Which Welsh veteran do they include in the back-row? And, who is the notable absentee on the wing? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds and Alex Lowe look back on the Premiership action at the weekend. They look at Gloucester's continuing rise and ask whether Bristol have been figured out or are they just not executing well enough? And did Sale Sharks score the try of the season against Saracens? Plus Elgan Alderman reviews another 6 Nations grand slam for the Red Roses who beat France by a point. Was that the test John Mitchell's side really needed ahead of a home world cup? Also, Alfie and Alex are at Twickenham to hear from the top brass at the RFU, including chief executive Bill Sweeney. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Stuart Barnes and Stephen Jones look back on the latest round in the Premiership and ask whether Harlequins and Bristol are dropping out of contention to reach the play-offs? Plus, they discuss what Johnny Sexton joining Andy Farrell's coaching team means for British & Irish Lions fly-half selection. And, Elgan Alderman joins the pod to look ahead to the final round in the women's 6 Nations as England and France set up a grand slam decider. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds, Stephen Jones, Will Kelleher and Elgan Alderman look back on the quarter-finals of the Champions Cup. They discuss the brilliant match between Toulon and Toulouse, as well as the other more one-sided games. Plus, they ask how many Leinster players will make Andy Farrell's Lions squad after they produced another brilliant performance to beat Glasgow, whether they will actually win the competition this season after numerous near misses and if Northampton have learnt from last season's semi-final defeat in Dublin. They also review the latest round of fixtures in the women's 6 Nations and discuss the viability of an Anglo-Welsh league following the WRU's takeover of Cardiff. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Will Kelleher is back alongside Alfie to review the last-16 of the Champions Cup. They discuss some brilliant games including Castres v Benetton and La Rochelle v Munster as well as Northampton being the only English side to progress into the quarter-finals. However, they also look at the issues with the current format and ask how long it will be before more English clubs can properly compete in the competition. They are joined by Premier Sports CEO Richard Sweeney to discuss rugby's broadcasting landscape and how to reach a younger audience. Plus, they chat about future rugby world cup hosts, Worcester Warriors return to the second tier and the third round of the Women's 6 Nations. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alfie Reynolds and Egan Alderman look back on all the biggest stories across the last week. Including the possibility of a rugby world cup heading to the Middle East, Andy Farrell selecting players based in France and a future British and Irish Lions tour against Les Bleus. Plus, they review the Premiership and 6 Nations action over the weekend by asking if Saracens are devaluing the Champions Cup? And Elgan's quirky idea for how the Red Roses can get more competitive fixtures. Owen Slot also joins the pod to reflect on RFU CEO Bill Sweeney surviving a motion to remove him as the head of the governing body. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Gallagher Premiership returned this weekend, following it's break for the men's 6 Nations. Alfie, Alex and Will look back on the action which included some high scoring matches, in particular a wild game between Bristol and Exeter. They discuss whether the Premiership - whilst being entertaining - is preparing players for international rugby, the latest on Newcastle's future and Leicester's rise under Michael Cheika. Plus, Elgan Alderman chats about the opening round in the women's 6 Nations as England beat Italy. And, the boys look ahead to the SGM later this week which could decide Bill Sweeney's future and the possibility of moving away from Twickenham. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the conclusion of the men's 6 Nations, Alfie, Will and Alex are back to pick their matchday 23 for the British & Irish Lions to take on the Wallabies in the first test. They selected a team at the end of 2024 so are back to discuss who has dropped out and who has played their way into contention. Has Marcus Smith's chances been hampered by playing full-back for England? Is Maro Itoje now their choice of captain? And, are Ireland still the dominant nation represented in the matchday squad? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Following the conclusion of the 6 Nations, Alfie, Alex and Will review Super Saturday as France won the title and England humbled Wales in Cardiff. They discuss if Maro Itoje is now the front runner to captain the British and Irish Lions? What happens if Andy Farrell doesn't want to select any Welsh players? And, whether France can now go on and dominate the championship for the next few years. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are in Cardiff ahead of the final round of the Six Nations. They look forward to 'Super Saturday' with Ireland, England and France all in the hunt for the title and they go through Steve Borthwick's bold England team selection. Plus, they ask if there is a chance of an upset this weekend? Whether Scotland can stop the French party? And, how big a role the 'Cardiff factor' has to play in England's match with Wales? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The final weekend in the Six Nations is set up nicely after France produced one of their great performances to beat Ireland in Dublin. Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher review the weekend and preview 'Super Saturday' with France, Ireland and England all vying for the title. Mark Palmer also looks back on Scotland's victory over Wales and questions whether they can cause an upset in Paris this weekend. Plus, the boys react to the news that the British & Irish Lions will announce their squad to tour Australia on 8th May in front of a live audience. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ahead of the penultimate weekend in the Six Nations, Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher look ahead to the action. They ask whether 'maverick' fly-halves, such as Marcus Smith, don't suit international rugby after he was named on the bench for England against Italy. They also discuss Henry Slade not being involved and Jamie George reaching his 100th England cap. Plus, France have named a 7-1 bench split ahead of their trip to Ireland, is that going to become an increasing issue for World Rugby? And, who will win between Scotland and Wales? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.