Let it be known that nobody goes a full year with just one win in Europe and gets away with it at Manchester United! Erik Ten Hag tenure as United manager finally came to an end after a 3 years of poor league results and great domestic success. We take a look back at where it all went wrong and ask how bad was he really? It's a dark day for footbal…

Ed Byrne recently moved from Leinster to Cardiff after making over 100 appearances for the province. He was also capped 6 times by Ireland. In the week that Cardiff host Ulster in the URC, Ireland also named their squad for the Autumn Nations Series. Only five props were picked, with the likelihood being a 37-year-old Cian Healy will once again lin…

On Wednesday, Andy Farrell names his Ireland squad for the November internationals. But who will see their names included? How will Ireland resolve their hooker crisis? Will we see any fresh faces? Gordon D’Arcy joins host Nathan Johns to discuss the main talking points ahead of this week’s announcement. We also discuss RG Snyman’s impact at Leinst…

In the coming weeks, World Rugby will decide on the implementation of the controversial 20-minute red card. The proposed disciplinary law change will have a drastic effect on how high tackles and head contact is officiated. France have criticised the new measure, which could well be implemented in time for next year’s six nations while the IRFU is …

The most successful international break in pod history as Ireland actually WON a game of football, and it wasn't even against Gibraltar this time! Just as things looked up after beating Finland, Ireland were halted by an impassioned Greece team, honoring their late teammate George Baldock. Lee Carsley's England also lost to the Greeks, prompting Ca…

On Friday night, Ireland women worked past the USA to finish second in their WXV1 group. With next year’s Six Nations and World Cup to come, Scott Bemand’s side have taken a significant step forward. On Saturday, over 80,000 people travelled to Croke Park to take in Leinster’s win over Munster, before Ulster beat Connacht in another thrilling intep…

Stacey Flood is currently with the Irish team out in Vancouver for their WXV1 campaign. Lining out at fullback, Flood played an integral role in the side’s recent win over New Zealand. Formerly a regular on the Sevens circuit, Flood took part in the recent Paris Olympics before switching back to 15s ahead of next year’s World Cup. She joins host Na…

We are rapidly leaving the 'too early to tell' timezone and starting to see how the Premier League is really shaping up this year. Erik Ten Hag was given the dreaded 2 games to turn it around and managed a a draw against Porto and a draw against Aston Villa, so what happens now? Man United fans nostalgia haas reached sad new levels as they long for…

Gordon D’Arcy remembers his first interpro game for Leinster against Munster for all the wrong reasons. As an 18-year-old, he was mercilessly stepped by Keith Wood before he got on the wrong end of Peter Clohessy at the bottom of a ruck. In the years after, Leinster and Munster have enjoyed many a memorable battle. Alongside host Nathan Johns and I…

Last year, the IRFU introduced a law trial to lower the tackle height in amateur rugby. In a bid to make the game safer, the permitted tackle height was lowered from the shoulder to the sternum. One year on, is the sport safer? Have players adapted? Is the sport better to watch? Caithriona Yeomans from the IRFU and Terenure College RFC’s Seán Skeha…

Is it that time of the year already? It feels like a game that decides the Man United manager's tenure is over comes around earlier every season. Man United suffered an embarassing 3-0 home loss to Tottenham. Another in a long line of poor results which see's the pressure really piled on Erik Ten Hag. After their 'spicy' game last week and the subs…

While you were sleeping on Sunday night, Ireland women beat New Zealand for just the second time in their history, opening their WXV campaign in style in Vancouver. This victory over the world champions confirms that Scott Bemand’s side is on the rise. Yet it still comes just 18 months after Ireland won the dreaded wooden spoon in the Six Nations. …

As news reports emerge of English rugby once again being in dire financial straits, while some URC teams continue to live on the edge of their means, a rival competition across the water offers a positive example. France’s Top14 has a lucrative TV deal, record crowds and a thriving second division. How has France cracked the domestic rugby code, wh…

A rare one game review of the Premier League this week as Arsenal and Man City played out an absolute classic, but not the type of classic you'd usually expect. Arsenal are insistent on becoming the bad boys of the league, and they could not have picked a worse time in history to decide this. We have a real rivalry on our hands with angry post matc…

As the provincial season gets underway, Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to pick through the opening weekend of action. We look at how Felipe Contepomi has turned Argentina around, how Ireland took the number one world ranking back from South Africa, and which halfbacks impressed in the provinces. Monday clips: How to kic…

When Emerging Ireland first toured South Africa in 2022, the news caused controversy as provinces were left without important players at an early stage of the URC season. This time around, with another squad recently named, has the IRFU gone about things in a better way? On this episode of The Counter Ruck host Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Ar…

One nil to the Arsenal in the North London Derby as Ange Postecoglou's Ultra attacking Tottenham came up short against Mikel Arteta's defensively air tight (yes that's right) Arsenal. Despite it not being the only problem for Tottenham, losing by one goal from another set piece mad Postecoglou look at best naive and at worst stubborn. Despite all t…

Host Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan to pick apart Ireland’s win over Australia and highlight the best rugby action you missed over the weekend. We also talk through provincial recruitment while analysing why the Irish provinces are so appetising for English rugby. Clip - Fiji's Peni Ravai succumbs to an invisible tackle…

One of the worst international breaks in Ireland history comes to a close with yet another 2-0 loss to Greece. Not a great start from Heimir Hallgrimmson, and the knives are already out in the media from former players and pundits. John O'Shea has his work cut out for him to turn this one around. The #Barclaysmen trend has taken social media by sto…

A dark day for Irish football as Declan Rice and Jack Grealish come back to haunt us duing an incredibly bleak game in Dublin. What's next for the Irish mens football team we ask, as we seem to look worse every game. We also cast an eye over the rest of the esteemed Nations League. The news never stops at Chelsea, and this week was no different as …

What year is it? Haven't we been here before? A groundhog day episode of the pod as Man United suffer an embarrassing loss to Liverpool where they are totally out managed in a big game as Arne Slot put the pressure on Erik Ten Hag. Arsenal dropped some points thanks to THE LETTER OF THE LAW as Declan Rice tips his way to a red card against Brighton…

Gameweek 2 and the Premier League has already ramped up the madness as only it can. Noni Madueke had a whirlwind 24 hours as he accidentally posts his genuine thoughts on social media about Wolverhampton, then goes and proves it as Chelsea show that maybe they're not so crazy after all by winning 6-2 against Wolves Man United head loss counter is n…

And just like that the Premier League is back. But really, what can actually be taken from the opening gameweek fixtures apart from a certain relegation and how doomed a certain London club are. As the players keep coming in the doors of the Chelsea gym, Raheem Sterling's camp took to social media right before their opening game against Man City as…

The time is almost upon us, who will rise above the trials and tribulations this season in the heated battle for second place behind Man City? On the full Ultra's only episode, we go through the contenders and give each of them their reasoning behind why they could finish anywhere from 2nd to 7th. To hear the full bumper 1.5 hour episode head to th…

Dread it, run from it, but a new Premier League season is upon us. But not before the traditional curtain raiser as Man United tried valiantly to stop Man Citys march to a quintuple. Are we set for yet another season of Man City dominance? As the signings keep flooding in to Chelsea, we contrast the amount of signings they've made since the Todd to…

Just 9 more days folks, stick with us! The pre season grinds to a close with possibly the quietest week in pod history. Conor Gallagher's move to Atletico Madrid is confirmed as he is officially kicked out of Chelsea. That'll teach ye for spending your young adult life being thought everything you know by the club! Man United maverick André Onana g…

We're calmly floating in a metaphorical tire down the river of pre season football. To kick us off we cast an eye at the Olympics and report on all of the scandal and none of the games as it all kicked off between Argentina and Morocco. We brush over the pre season and bring you all of the punches, tugs of war, injuries and bad defending from Chels…

The summer pod is here and while there is no football to talk, off the pitch, ironically, it has been kicking off. After Enzo Fernandes filmed his Argentinian teammates singing an insulting chant about the French national team, there has been severe fallout from Chelsea teammates and even at a presidential level. Gareth Southgate hung his metaphori…

To wrap up what has been a long rugby season filled with extreme highs and at times crushing lows, host Nathan Johns is joined by Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan in this end of season special. Having returned from covering the recent tour of South Africa, John regales us with tales of lost luggage and close shaves with the local wildlife. We also…

The Euro 2024 final has passed, a record 4 European championship in the bag for Spain, the years of hurt continue for England. Could Southgate have loosened the shackles a little more? Was there too much focus on Bellingham ball? Did anyone give Spain less of a chance than us? We answer all these questions and more in our final euros episode This e…

The 2024 Euros final is upon us as England will be facing Spain in a battle of two teams who've had very different paths to this game during the tournament. England are through, and its all down to the genius that is Gareth Southgate..or at least that's probably how it will be remembered. You have to feel for the Netherlands after a controversial r…

Gordon D’Arcy joins host Nathan Johns to pick through Ireland’s series opening defeat to South Africa. Do tactical changes need to be made? Did South Africa’s new attacking philosophy catch Ireland on the hop? What to make of David Humphreys implementing new restrictions on provincial recruitment? All this is discussed on more on the latest episode…

The Euro's quarter final stage is wrapped up, and could it get any more exciting!? (yes) Here's a little preview of a taster of our quarter final coverage. Toni Kross wrapped up his career as he lived out a lifelong dream of being 'that kind of player' and leaving the boot in on some Spanish wonderkids. Spain got through Germany and into the semi f…

John O’Sullivan joins The Counter Ruck from South Africa where he is covering Ireland’s upcoming Test series - minus his luggage. As he avoids borrowing clothes from players - for now - John joins Gordon D’Arcy and host Nathan Johns to look back on Irish tours of old, pick apart the South African hype machine and analyse if this series is a step to…

The Euro 2024 last 16 is in the books and we've got a full recap of the whole bloody thing for you. England got past Slovakia by the skin of their teeth thanks to a last minute "bicycle kick" from who else but Jude Bellingham. In one of the most incredible displays from a player of all time (for the wrong reasons), Cristiano Ronaldo seemed to final…