The Ruck Rugby Podcast

Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are in Cardiff ahead of the final round of the Six Nations. They look forward to 'Super Saturday' with Ireland, England and France all in the hunt for the title and they go through Steve Borthwick's bold England team selection. Plus, they ask if there is a chance of an upset this weekend? Whether Scotland can stop the French party? And, how big a role the 'Cardiff factor' has to play in England's match with Wales?

The final weekend in the Six Nations is set up nicely after France produced one of their great performances to beat Ireland in Dublin. Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher review the weekend and preview 'Super Saturday' with France, Ireland and England all vying for the title. Mark Palmer also looks back on Scotland's victory over Wales and questions whether they can cause an upset in Paris this weekend. Plus, the boys react to the news that the British & Irish Lions will announce their squad to tour Australia on 8th May in front of a live audience.

Ahead of the penultimate weekend in the Six Nations, Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher look ahead to the action. They ask whether 'maverick' fly-halves, such as Marcus Smith, don't suit international rugby after he was named on the bench for England against Italy. They also discuss Henry Slade not being involved and Jamie George reaching his 100th England cap. Plus, France have named a 7-1 bench split ahead of their trip to Ireland, is that going to become an increasing issue for World Rugby? And, who will win between Scotland and Wales?

Former Ireland hooker Bernard Jackman and coaching consultant Ben Pegna join Alex, Will and Alfie to preview Ireland vs France. They discuss the contrasting styles of play, the rugby philosophy in France and the rise of Sam Prendergast, plus, how the title could be decided this weekend in Dublin. The boys also look ahead to Scotland v Wales and England against Italy, including whether England need to produce a more all round performance.

Following his time in the England camp before the Six Nations, David Walsh joins Alfie Reynolds and Alex Lowe. He explains what it was like being embedded with the team over two and a half days, how it's changed his perspective on what the squad is trying to achieve and his view on Steve Borthwick. Plus they debate which out of Ireland's tight win over Wales or France's dominant performance against Italy is better preparation for the two teams' showdown in round 4 and discuss the Welsh resurgence under Matt Sherratt and why it's pivotal for the whole championship.

England defeated Scotland 16-15 at Twickenham to win the Calcutta Cup for the first time in five years and keep their chances of winning the Six Nations alive. Alfie Reynolds, Mark Palmer, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher look back on a disjointed match in which Scotland wasted a number of opportunities. They ask if Gregor Townsend's side were unlucky, what went wrong for Finn Russell from the tee and where both sides go from here. Plus, what does the result and performances mean for a number of British and Irish Lions hopefuls?

Alfie Reynolds, Mark Palmer, Will Kelleher and Alex Lowe preview the Calcutta Cup at Twickenham this weekend. Mark is at the Scotland camp and discusses Finn Russell starting and whether the underdog tag helps Gregor Townsend's side. Whilst Alfie, Alex and Will are at the England training base and react to Ted Hill replacing George Martin in the matchday 23, why Immanuel Feyi-Waboso has now had shoulder surgery and how massive the match at Twickenham is for both sides.

Alfie Reynolds, Alex Lowe and Will Kelleher are joined by Sam Warburton to preview round three of the Six Nations. They look at the issues facing Welsh rugby following Warren Gatland's departure and question how much of an impact the interim head coach Matt Sherratt will have on the squad. Plus they look ahead to the Calcutta Cup between England and Scotland, discuss which openside flanker will miss out on the British and Irish Lions tour and debate the England fly-half position.

Warren Gatland has left his role as Wales' head coach in the middle of the Six Nations! Alfie, Will and Alex react to the bombshell news and also speak with Times columnist and former England forward Courtney Lawes. He chats about England's victory over France, his former club teammate Fin Smith and building upon victory. Mark Palmer reviews Scotland's limp defeat to Ireland at Murrayfield, the boys go through some of the listeners emails and question is this year's Six Nations destined to now be an Irish procession?