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The Ruck

The Ruck

By: The Times
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About this listen

The Ruck is the journalists rugby podcast from The Times & The Sunday Times.


Join Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe, Will Kelleher and a selection of guests every week as they provide insight and reports throughout the season, including big name interviews and forthright analysis.

Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

The Times
Politics & Government Rugby
Episodes
  • Does rugby want R360?
    Oct 13 2025

    Alfie, Alex and Will question whether the rugby establishment wants to see R360 - the new global franchise competition - be successful. It follows last week's announcement by eight of the world's top unions that players who sign-up will be banned from international selection. So they ask how much of a setback is this for for the organisers? What questions do they need to come out and answer? And, could the disruption actually be a good thing for the game!?


    Plus, they discuss what England's backline could look like for the November internationals, in particular does Owen Farrell return and who starts at fly-half? And, give their view on what the big talking points in the sport will be come the end of 2025. Will the Springboks have asserted their dominance? Will Ireland have dropped off? And where on earth will Wales be?

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    1 hr and 1 min
  • Two Lions on the pod: Fin Smith staying at Saints & Tommy Freeman’s positional switch.
    Oct 9 2025

    Ahead of 'Derby Weekend' in the Gallagher PREM, Will Kelleher heads to the midlands to chat to Northampton Saints. He speaks with Director of Rugby Phil Dowson, plus two of the clubs British & Irish Lions in Fin Smith and Tommy Freeman.


    Fin explains that wanting to earn more caps for England was a big motivation for signing a contract extension, despite the lure of R360. And find out why he was disappointed with his performances on the Lions tour.


    Tommy Freeman brings up his 100th Saints appearance on the weekend so he reflects on the journey to this point and discusses what the future might hold. Will he be a 13 going forward?


    Plus, Phil Dowson looks ahead to a big East Midlands derby against Leicester Tigers!

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    43 mins
  • Lewis Moody's heart-breaking MND diagnosis - what is sport's connection to the disease?
    Oct 6 2025

    2003 World Cup winner Lewis Moody has announced that he has motor neurone disease, so, Alex Lowe and Stuart Barnes join Alfie Reynolds to pay tribute to a great man and brilliant player. Tom Kershaw also discusses his investigation for The Times earlier in the year where he looked into the links between elite sportspeople and MND.


    They also look back on the second weekend of the PREM and ask whether Newcastle were correct to part ways with Steve Diamond and if it's too early to view Bath and Saracens as the best two clubs in the division. It was the opening weekend for the CHAMP which saw the return of Worcester Warriors, their back-rower Matt Kvesic chats to Alfie and Alex.


    And, Stuart explains why 2025 was the best Rugby Championship we've ever seen.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

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    54 mins
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