Added Time: The Irish Times Sports Podcast

Nigel Carolan, the former Connacht academy manager and Ireland U20s head coach, joins The Counter Ruck from Glasgow. Now the Warriors' attack coach, Carolan faces off against Munster this weekend in the URC semi-final. He talks through his own coaching journey, his attacking philosophy as well as his own experience coaching a number of current Irish internationals at underage level. Also on the podcast, Gordon D'Arcy joins host Nathan Johns to preview Leinster's trip to South Africa to take on the Bulls as well as that Munster vs Glasgow clash.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

As they prepare to face Leinster this weekend in the URC quarter-finals, this week’s podcast reflects on Ulster’s uptick in fortunes since bringing in Richie Murphy as head coach. In turmoil after a poor league run and an early exit from Europe, Ulster parted ways with previous head coach Dan McFarland. Now under Murphy, the province has recovered somewhat to make the URC playoffs. Gordon D’Arcy, John O’Sullivan and Nathan Johns discuss how Ulster have improved and what constitutes success in Murphy’s rebuilding project.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon D’Arcy joins Nathan Johns to break down Leinster’s third consecutive Champions Cup final defeat. We analyse Leinster’s midfield attack, their decision making around penalties, what could have been done at the breakdown and assess where Leinster go from here domestically and in Europe.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For the week of an Irish province playing in a European final, there has been plenty of news stories away from Leinster's clash with Toulouse. Simon Zebo announced his retirement, the IRFU revealed that it will tweak its controversial central contracts system while it even emerged that Hugo Keenan will return to Sevens in a bid to make Ireland's Olympics squad. Joining host Nathan Johns to pick through the news as well as the actual rugby taking place on Saturday is former Ireland international Gordon D'Arcy.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Come July 1st, a number of changes to rugby's laws come into effect. A number of trials will also be seen over the summer as World Rugby continues to grapple with the balance of preserving the sport's values and attracting new audiences. Have they got that balance right? Are they alienating traditional fans? Is there an irreconcilable difference between attitudes towards the game in the northern and southern hemispheres? Former referee Owen Doyle joins host Nathan Johns to talk through the changes. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week's podcast is a detailed preview of Saturday's Champions Cup semi-final between Leinster and Northampton Saints at Croke Park. Nathan Johns, Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan look back at the last time Leinster played in Croke Park, when one member of the panel scored a memorable try. They also discuss whether the venue has a bearing on the game and what sort of game we can expect on SaturdayPart two is an interview with Northampton's head coach Sam Vesty, focusing on the Saints' defensive improvements, recruitment strategy, attacking philosophies, and the key role of players like Fin Smith and Alex Mitchell in their game plan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In the coming weeks, World Rugby will decide on a proposal to implement a new 20-minute red card. Already seen in the southern hemisphere and Super Rugby, the proposal allows sides to replace a red carded player after 20 minutes in order to preserve the spectacle of a contest, to not kill off games when teams are reduced to 14 players. Critics of the move say that the measure risks admitting defeat in the battle to change player behaviour and eradicate high tackles as a result of poor technique. The impending decision has been pitted as a battle of philosophies, of attitudes of leniency towards high shots both sides of the equator. Owen Doyle, a former international referee and an Irish Times columnist, joins Gordon D'Arcy and Nathan Johns to discuss the potential new law and what impact it could have.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

News of Leinster's recent signing of All Black Jordie Barrett has split opinion. Is this a fair reflection of the dominant province flexing their muscle, or an unfair benefit of the IRFU paying their best players via national contracts? Next season, 10 Leinster players will have their salaries paid by the governing body via central contracts, the other provinces combined have three. Is this a cycle of dominance, or a worrying portend of Leinster pulling ahead and destroying competitive balance in the provinces? Gordon D'Arcy joins Nathan Johns to discuss the issue, how we got here and what can be done about it. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Few things get the Irish rugby public as excited as a young talent at outhalf. Dannah O'Brien has been on the scene for a while now, making her debut against Japan in 2022. Fresh off starting in Ireland's defeat to Italy last weekend, O'Brien joins The Counter Ruck to talk through her career to date, the first two rounds of this year's Six Nations and how Ireland are trying to progress from last year's wooden spoon. Gordon D'Arcy also joins host Nathan Johns to talk through the best of the weekend's rugby action including Leinster's win, sickly Munster's defeat and some eye-catching moments from the southern hemisphere. Produced by John Casey. https://twitter.com/jimhamilton4/status/1776276230632787982?s=12https://www.instagram.com/reel/C5aRgq9y7J2/?igsh=MWNzdXRnajExeWpjbA%3D%3Dhttps://twitter.com/i/status/1776965041125728521 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Former Ireland, Leinster and Leicester backrow Shane Jennings joins Gordon D'Arcy and host Nathan Johns. The historical links between Leinster and Leicester, opponents this weekend in the Champions Cup, are profound. In 2005, Jennings and current Leinster head coach Leo Cullen left the province for a two-year stint at the English club. When they returned, they played a significant role in a culture shift that saw the province transition from perennial underachievers to European champions. Also on this episode of The Counter Ruck, John O'Sullivan breaks down Ireland women's defeat to Italy in the Six Nations. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon D’Arcy and Nathan Johns talk through Ireland's defeat to France to begin the women’s Six Nations. We also pick through the best of the action following a mixed weekend for the provinces in the URC. A week on from the Six Nations, we look at which fringe internationals, now playing before the return of European action, have the best chance of forcing their way into Andy Farrell’s reckoning ahead of the summer tour to South Africa.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland begin their Six Nations campaign a number of months after winning the first edition of the WXV3 competition. It was a much-needed confidence boost in an era largely defined by governance controversy off the field and spiralling performances off it. John Cronin was director of rugby at Railway Union RFC, coaching a number of current and former Ireland internationals. He has been a prominent voice in the media and on social media advocating for change in the women's game. He joins John O'Sullivan and host Nathan Johns to preview the upcoming tournament, assess the balance between Ireland Sevens and 15s, debate the introduction and omission of certain key players and assess if Ireland can avoid once again finishing at the bottom of the table. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon D’Arcy and Gerry Thornley join host Nathan Johns to pick through the final round of the Six Nations championship.  Ireland weren’t perfect, but had enough to get over the line against Scotland to earn back-to-back titles for just the third time. Given the way the final matches unfolded, have teams started to figure out the Irish attack? Was this the last we will see of Peter O’Mahony in a green jersey? How will the other teams look to progress after a very competitive tournament? Our panel picks through these issues and more in the latest episode of The Counter Ruck. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Scotland and Ireland have seen plenty of animosity in their contests in recent years. Yet the Scots have not won since 2017, while they haven't been victorious in Dublin since 2010. Can such a one-sided fixture truly be a rivalry, or do the two sides simply not like each other? Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to preview this weekend's Six Nations title showdown.Produced by John Casey with JJ Vernon on sound. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

England’s best performance in recent memory sent Ireland to a narrow defeat in London. Hopes of back-to-back Grand Slams are gone, offering a timely reminder of just how difficult it is to win it all. Gordon D’Arcy and Gerry Thornley join host Nathan Johns to pick through where it all went wrong for Ireland, where England excelled and why a Six Nations title, even without a Grand Slam, is not to be sniffed at.Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Gordon D'Arcy and John O'Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to preview Ireland's upcoming clash with England. Where are England in this transition period? Will their blitz defence cause problems? Have we learned anything new from the Ireland team selection? All this is and more is discussed as the panel predict a strong England performance that will test Ireland's Grand Slam ambitions.Produced by John Casey and Suzanne Brennan. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

In this extended chat with England’s World Cup-winning number eight, Nathan Johns and Gordon D’Arcy preview this week’s Six Nations clash at Twickenham. We also discuss how Dallaglio could have declared for Ireland, his memories of touring for the Lions with D’Arcy as well as England’s muddled thinking in this year’s championship. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

With Ireland’s current crop of U20s training against the senior side today at the Aviva Stadium, we took a deep dive into the underage structures in Irish rugby. John O’Sullivan has covered age grade international sides for a number of years, and he joins host Nathan Johns to recall his memories of following Irish teams around the world. From dramatic penalty shoot-outs vs South Africa to meeting players’ parents, John has plenty of stories regarding Ireland’s young players. We also look at the efficacy of the system. Does Ireland bring their U20 graduates through to senior level quickly enough? Do our young players get enough game time? Can the provinces alone offer the best youth talent an outlet to grow? Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Ireland were not at their fluid best on Saturday but they did not have to be, beating Wales 31-7 at the Aviva Stadium.  How did Wales stilt the Irish attack somewhat? Just how good is Ireland’s defence? Does Andy Farrell have a replacement bench to rival the South African bomb squad? The panel chats through all the talking points from the Irish victory, as well as the other notable games from the weekend. England, Ireland’s next opponents, come in for some heavy criticism after their defeat to Scotland, while France’s downfall under Fabien Galthié brings to mind memories of the end of the Joe Schmidt Ireland era in 2019.  Produced by John Casey  Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Is fullback Ciarán Frawley’s best position? How much of a loss will Hugo Keenan be? What to expect from debutant Oli Jager?  Gordon D’Arcy and John O’Sullivan join host Nathan Johns to react to Andy Farrell’s team announcement. The panel looks at if there were any other options to replace Keenan, is picking a 6/2 split on the bench somewhat of a risk and why Stuart McCloskey makes the bench instead of Garry Ringrose.  Saturday’s opponents, Wales, also are analysed in detail. We look at if Sam Costelow will change their game plan at outhalf. Given the threat of Tommy Reffell to the Irish breakdown, Gordon D’Arcy recalls preparing to face previous dangerous Welsh flankers and how Ireland can nullify the Leicester backrow. Produced by John Casey. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.