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What The Ruck

What The Ruck

By: talkSPORT Ireland
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About this listen

He’s earned 56 caps for Ireland. He’s been in the dressing room for the biggest games and played against the world's best. Now, Dave Kilcoyne is pulling back the curtain.

Welcome to What The Ruck, the new podcast from talkSPORT Ireland. Join Dave and Luke Delaney as they tap into a black book of former teammates, rivals, and legends.

Forget the post-match clichés. This is the show for the stories you're not meant to hear: the dressing room fallouts, the secrets from tours, and the unfiltered reality of life as an international player.

If you want the real, raw stories from the heart of the game, join Dave Kilcoyne every week for What The Ruck.

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talkSPORT Ireland Rugby
Episodes
  • What The Ruck: The Italian Pickup - Ian McKinley

    What The Ruck: The Italian Pickup - Ian McKinley
    Feb 12 2026
    What The Ruck is hitting the road for the 2026 Six Nations Championship! In this special mobile episode, we’ve teamed up with MSL Motor Group and BYD North Dublin, Navan Road, and BYD South Dublin Deangrange to take the pod on tour in the brand new BYD Seal U. Our first stop? We’re picking up a true legend of the game: former Ireland underage star and Italian International Fly-Half, Ian McKinley. Ian joins Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney to share his remarkable story. After a freak accident in a club game left him blind in one eye, Ian’s career appeared to be over. Instead, he made a historic return to professional rugby in Italy, eventually earning his Test cap under Conor O’Shea. In this episode, we discuss the accident that turned his life upside down and the long road to recovery. We dive into how Ian defied the odds to become the first player to wear protective goggles at the Test level, his move to Italy to find a second home in rugby, and his expert breakdown of the opening round of action in the 2026 Six Nations. With BYD South Dublin Deansgrange and BYD North Dublin Navan Road, part of the MSL Motor Group

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 12 mins
  • What The Ruck: Episode 10 - Six Nations Special

    What The Ruck: Episode 10 - Six Nations Special
    Feb 4 2026

    The 2026 Six Nations has arrived, and the landscape for Irish rugby has shifted. With the "Old Guard" absent and a mounting injury list, Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney dive deep into what this new era looks like for Andy Farrell’s squad.

    In this episode of What The Ruck, "Killer" gives us the unfiltered truth about Bundee Aki’s shock suspension and what it means for the squad’s depth. We also go behind the scenes to reveal what life is actually like in camp during Six Nations week—from the intense mental preparation to the ferocity of facing a French pack on home soil.

    In this episode:

    • The Bundee Aki Situation: Dave reacts to the biggest headline of the tournament.
    • The Next Gen: Who steps up in the absence of Porter, Keenan, and Hansen?
    • Parisian War: What it’s really like in the trenches against France.
    • Killer’s XV: Dave picks the starting lineup he wants to see in the opener.

    Whether you're looking for tactical analysis or legendary stories from the dressing room, we’ve got you covered.


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    40 mins
  • What The Ruck: Episode 9 - Andrew Conway

    What The Ruck: Episode 9 - Andrew Conway
    Jan 22 2026

    Former Munster, Leinster, and Ireland star Andrew Conway joins Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney this week for a massive episode of the pod.

    The lads dive deep into their 10 years as teammates at both provincial and international levels, sharing never-before-heard stories from the inner circle of Irish rugby. Dave finally reveals the full story of his infamous 6:00 AM drunken encounter with Joe Schmidt, and the lads reminisce about the wildest nights out on tour.

    Beyond the laughs, we get into the serious side of the game. The trio breaks down exactly what went wrong for Munster in the Champions Cup and what needs to change at Thomond Park. Plus, with the Six Nations around the corner, Andrew gives his honest assessment of Ireland’s chances and who needs to step up for Andy Farrell.

    Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.
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    1 hr and 22 mins
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