The Ruck cover art

The Ruck

The Ruck

By: The Times
Listen for free

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
  • England v France: which Champions Cup quarter-final was better?
    Apr 13 2026

    Alfie Reynolds, Elgan Alderman and Charlie Morgan look back on the Champions Cup quarter-finals.


    They ask which was better...Bath and Northampton's epic high-scoring tussle at The Rec? Or the heavyweight clash between Bordeaux and Toulouse?


    Was Henry Pollock unlucky to be shown a yellow card so late in the contest? And, despite defeat, will Northampton be confident of getting revenge in the Prem final?


    Are Leinster going under the radar and could they actually win the Champions Cup this season?


    And, the boys look back on the opening round of the Women's 6 Nations as the Red Roses made it 34 wins in a row!

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

    Show More Show Less
    40 mins
  • Are Toulouse and Bordeaux the greatest club sides in the world?
    Apr 6 2026

    The last-16 of the Champions Cup delivered! Following an exciting weekend Alfie Reynolds, Elgan Alderman, Alex Lowe and Mark Palmer look back on the action.


    They chat about the competition finally bursting into life with some excellent matches including, the Stormers narrow defeat to Toulon and Bath getting past Saracens.


    Elgan was in France to see Toulouse and Bordeaux dismantle Bristol and Leicester and asks if anyone can stop the two giants of French rugby?


    Mark reflects on the fortunes of Edinburgh and Glasgow and whether Franco Smith's team could really go all the way and actually win the tournament?


    Plus, what now for the Red Roses? Seven months on from winning their home World Cup, they begin their 6 Nations campaign on Saturday, aiming to win an 8th straight title!


    ***


    Allianz Future Fund | Allianz Insurance

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

    Show More Show Less
    53 mins
  • Parling's push: love it or hate it?
    Mar 30 2026

    Following a trio of showpiece matches at big stadiums in the Gallagher Prem Alfie, Will and Charlie are back in studio to review the action.


    They discuss Geoff Parling's fiery altercation with broadcaster TNT before Gloucester vs Leicester and ask was the head coach right or wrong? And, does it summarise rugby's battle between traditionalists and those trying to modernise the game?


    They also ask whether neutral semi-finals would be a good thing or damaging to the jeopardy in the season.


    Castres tight-head prop, and Times columnist, Will Collier joins the boys to look ahead to the Champions Cup last-16. How important is an away win this weekend for the competition?



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

    Show More Show Less
    54 mins
No reviews yet