- 18
- Episodes
- 22
- Ratings
- 2025
- First episode
About What The Ruck
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
- Publisher
- talkSPORT Ireland
- Category
- sports · sports
- Language
- en
- Explicit
- Yes
- First episode
- 3 Nov 2025
- Latest episode
- 20 May 2026
Latest episodes
18 episodes in the feed.
20 May 2026
What The Ruck: Episode 17 - Bernard Jackman
What is going wrong at Munster? This week on What The Ruck, Luke Delaney and Dave Kilcoyne are joined by former Ireland international and premier rugby mind Bernard Jackman to deliver an honest, unfiltered assessment of Munster's current struggles on and off the pitch—and exactly how they get back to the top. The lads also break down Leinster’s massive Champions Cup final blueprint, look at the brilliant work Richie Murphy and Stuart Lancaster are doing at Ulster and Connacht, and review a drama-filled final round of the URC. Plus, stay tuned for some legendary, laugh-out-loud tales from Bernard's time coaching in France! In This Episode: What is going wrong at Munster? Killer & Bernard’s honest assessment Leinster’s Champions Cup Final blueprint 🏆 Richie Murphy & Stuart Lancaster: The Ulster & Connacht revolutions URC Final Round Review: Three Irish Provinces In The Top 8! Bernard’s wildest stories from playing and coaching in France! 🇫🇷 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
23 Apr 2026
What The Ruck: Episode 16 - Big John & Johnny Fisher
BOSHHH! This week on What The Ruck, we’ve got the Romford Bull himself, Johnny Fisher, and the legendary Big John sitting down with Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney for a massive catch-up. This episode is all about the deep friendship between Dave and the lads, starting with the behind-the-scenes story of when the Fishers visited the Irish Rugby team camp back in 2023. Big John gets real about his weight loss journey and the discipline it takes to stay fit while supporting Johnny’s explosive heavyweight career. Speaking of the ring, Johnny talks about his journey to date and his massive ambitions to finally get over to Ireland for a major fight night. To keep things properly Irish, we ordered in a spread of Chinese food to see if a Spicebag and a 4-in-1 can actually get the Bosh seal of approval. Between the curry sauce and the chips, the lads also put their rugby knowledge to the test by building a dream Rugby XV made up entirely of professional boxing stars. It’s heavy hitters, heavyweight food, and a lot of laughs . Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
16 Apr 2026
What The Ruck: Episode 15 - Tadhg Furlong
Irish rugby legend Tadhg Furlong joins Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney in the latest episode of What The Ruck. In one of his most candid interviews to date, Tadhg opens up about the highs and lows of the professional game and the personal journey that shaped the man behind the scrum. From his humble beginnings at New Ross RFC to becoming a cornerstone of the Ireland and British & Irish Lions squads, Tadhg shares hilarious stories from his childhood—including the "delicacy" of raw pig trotters—and reflects deeply on the emotional weight of losing his father during the 2023 World Cup. In this episode, we dive into: The Ireland Camp: The current feeling within the group and where they stand in the World Cup cycle. Coaching Legends: Honest insights into working under Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell. The Lions Legacy: Can Tadhg join the elite group of players to go on four tours? Personal Roots: Growing up in Wexford and the unbreakable bond with his late father. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Mar 2026
What The Ruck: The Scottish Pickup - Greig Laidlaw
In the final installment of our Six Nations road trip series, Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney head to the airport for the ultimate Scottish pickup! Joining them in the car is none other than Scotland legend and former captain, Greig Laidlaw. Ahead of this weekend’s massive clash between Ireland and Scotland, Greig dives deep into the current state of Scottish rugby. From their chances of securing a historic first-ever Six Nations Championship to the "outside noise" surrounding Gregor Townsend’s future following that shock defeat to Italy, no stone is left unturned. In this episode, we discuss: The Ireland Rivalry: Greig recalls his toughest battles against the men in green. The Global Stage: Insights into his incredible journey playing rugby across the world. Six Nations Logic: Just how wide open is the championship this year? The Townsend Factor: Dealing with media scrutiny after the Italy loss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
5 Mar 2026
What The Ruck: The Welsh Pickup - Alex Cuthbert
In the latest edition of our Six Nations Special on What The Ruck, Luke and Dave pick up Wales and British & Irish Lions legend Alex Cuthbert for an unfiltered deep dive into the state of the game. After a dramatic fall-off in Welsh international form, Alex pulls no punches on what is happening behind the scenes, the issues within the WRU, and what it will take for the red jersey to find its pride again. But it’s not all serious—the boys have a laugh about the fierce battles between Alex and Dave on the pitch, and Alex shares some incredible (and chaotic) stories about his time with the Irish contingent on the Lions tour. From his "meteoric" rise from university rugby to scoring tries in a Lions Test, this is the full story of one of Wales' most electric wingers. 🚗 We've teamed up with BYD South Dublin Deansgrange and BYD North Dublin Navan Road, part of the MSL Motor Group to bring the show on the road for the 2026 Six Nations Championship ☘️ Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Feb 2026
What The Ruck: Episode 12 - James Tracy
Ireland and Munster prop Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney are joined in the studio by former Leinster and Ireland hooker James Tracy. Following Ireland’s victory over Italy, the lads dive deep into the technical issues facing the Irish scrum and how the pack can find that elite level again ahead of the next round of the Six Nations. James opens up about the devastating neck injury that forced his retirement in 2022 and what life looks like after the jersey. But it’s not all serious—we’ve got legendary stories involving Sean O’Brien, Tadhg Beirne, and Sean Cronin, plus James reveals his "Dream Pack" of teammates. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Feb 2026
What The Ruck: The Italian Pickup - Ian McKinley
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 (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Feb 2026
What The Ruck: Episode 10 - Six Nations Special
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. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
22 Jan 2026
What The Ruck: Episode 9 - Andrew Conway
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 (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
15 Jan 2026
What The Ruck: Episode 8 - Gerry Thornley
Welcome back to What The Ruck for our first episode of 2026! We are kicking off the year with a massive guest as legendary Irish Times rugby journalist Gerry Thornley joins Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney in the studio. In this episode, the lads dive straight into a hectic festive period of rugby, breaking down the recent European results for the Irish provinces. With the 2026 Six Nations just around the zone, the conversation turns to the growing Ireland injury list. From the front row crisis to the high-stakes battle for the Ireland number 10 jersey, Gerry and Dave analyze who has the form to step up for Andy Farrell. Beyond the pitch, Gerry reflects on his illustrious career in the media, sharing stories from his favorite tournaments and the most memorable players and coaches he has interviewed over the decades. Plus, Dave pulls back the curtain on life in the dressing room, revealing what players really think about the media and how they handle the cameras. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
18 Dec 2025
What The Ruck: Episode 7 - Scrum Pox & The Champions Cup And The New Munster
Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney return for the final episode of 2025 to break down a massive fortnight of European rugby. From Munster's statement win in Cork to the "French Procession" threatening the Champions Cup, the lads pull no punches on the current state of the game. In the series finale of 2025, Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney dive deep into the opening rounds of the Investec Champions Cup. After a rocky start, Munster found their fire with a bonus-point win over Gloucester, but questions remain for the Irish provinces. Dave addresses the "weakened side" controversy and explains why the current format might be hurting the tournament’s prestige. Plus, "Killer" takes us back to his battles with Clermont legend Davit Zirakashvili, revealing a hilarious story about how he ended up with a case of "Scrum Pox" thanks to the big Georgian prop. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
10 Dec 2025
What The Ruck: Episode 6 - Jordi Murphy
Former Ireland, Leinster, and Ulster back-row Jordi Murphy joins Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney for an unmissable chat on Episode 6 of What The Ruck. Get ready for the unfiltered stories you won't hear anywhere else. Jordi details his massive move from Leinster Rugby to Ulster Rugby to secure more starts and a regular spot in the national setup. He chats about the emotion behind his career-changing ACL injury suffered in 2016 after scoring Ireland's opening try in the historic win against the All Blacks in Chicago. Jordi also speaks about his new career as a rugby agent and the transition to life after professional sport. Dave and Jordi also discuss their time as teammates in the Irish camp, and we put Jordi to the test to pick his dream pack from his provincial days. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
4 Dec 2025
What The Ruck: Episode 5 - Front Row Options and Springboks Dominance
Dave and Luke are back for Episode 5 of talkSPORT Ireland's What The Ruck podcast! In this must-listen episode, Dave gives his detailed verdict on Ireland's mixed Autumn Nations Series campaign. We dive deep into the performance of the Springboks in Dublin, with Dave dissecting just what made the South Africa side so impressive and physically dominant. The conversation takes a fascinating turn as Dave discusses Rassie Erasmus’ tactics, drawing parallels to the South Africa head coach's influential days with Munster Rugby. Did his provincial philosophy translate to World Cup success? Looking ahead, the lads break down the long-term 2027 World Cup plan. What approach should Andy Farrell take when it comes to blooding new players? They discuss potential new options for the Ireland front row and debate the burning question on every Irish rugby fan's lips: Jack Crowley or Sam Prendergast for the future number 10 jersey? Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
26 Nov 2025
What The Ruck: Episode 4 - The Story Of Dave Kilcoyne
Get ready to see the side of Dave Kilcoyne you've never seen before! In this week's deeply personal and entertaining episode, Luke sits down with the main man himself, 56-time Ireland international Dave Kilcoyne, to put the renowned Munster prop under the microscope. We get the real, unfiltered story of "Killer" from the very beginning. Dave opens up on his incredible journey, starting with his earliest rugby memories at Ardscoil Rís, the influential coaches who shaped his career, and the challenging transition to becoming an an established Ireland international. But it's not all about the scrum. Dave doesn't hold back, detailing the intense difficulties behind the scenes at the 2019 Rugby World Cup and the moments that truly tested him, specifically addressing life under Joe Schmidt's strict regime. Plus, you'll hear the side-splitting tales you won't find anywhere else: The greatest pranks he pulled during his playing days. The infamous time he had trouble with law enforcement after impersonating a member of the Garda during his early days at Munster. The hilarious story of stealing a drink from golf major winner Shane Lowry in a nightclub. A deep dive into the best characters he's ever shared a dressing room with. If you're a fan of Munster Rugby, Ireland Rugby, or the Joe Schmidt era, this is a must-listen! Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
19 Nov 2025
What The Ruck: Episode 3 - Brent Pope
In Episode 3 of What The Ruck, Irish rugby legend Brent Pope joins Dave Kilcoyne and Luke Delaney for an unfiltered trip down memory lane. From the golden era of RTÉ punditry to the modern heartbreak of World Cup exits, this is a conversation you don’t want to miss. Brent opens up about his iconic (and often explosive) on-screen partnership with George Hook, revealing the truth behind their clashes and the friendship that underpinned the madness. The lads also debate the greatest foreign imports to ever grace the Irish provinces—who takes the top spot: Isa Nacewa, Doug Howlett, or Ruan Pienaar? Plus, Dave Kilcoyne reflects on the 2023 Rugby World Cup quarter-final defeat to the All Blacks. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
12 Nov 2025
What The Ruck: Episode 2 - Simon Zebo
Simon Zebo holds nothing back in Episode 2 of What The Ruck! The Irish rugby legend joins his old Munster teammate Dave Kilcoyne and host Luke Delaney for an incredibly honest chat about the highs and lows of his career. Simon speaks openly about his shock at being sidelined by Joe Schmidt during the 2015 Rugby World Cup and reveals how he felt after being excluded from the Ireland squad when he moved to Racing 92 in the Top 14. Plus, 'Killer' and 'Zebo' spill the beans on what the Munster camp was really like under Rassie Erasmus—the tactics, the culture, and the moments that defined that era. This is one you don't want to miss. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
5 Nov 2025
What The Ruck: Episode 1 -Conor Murray
Conor Murray joins his great mate Dave Kilcoyne for the series premiere of What The Ruck! Get ready for hilarious, untold changing room stories and tour secrets. Conor also gets candid on his "far from perfect" relationship with Graham Rowntree, life under Joe Schmidt's strict regime, and the Sexton vs. O'Gara debate. Hosted by Dave Kilcoyne & Luke Delaney, What The Ruck is brought to you by talkSPORT Ireland. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
3 Nov 2025
Introducing What The Ruck
Are you ready for a brand new, off-the-cuff, peak behind the scenes at life as an international rugby player? Well this is the show for you. Former Munster and Ireland prop Dave Kilcoyne has played with and against some of the best of all time, but now, he's sitting behind the mic, asking the killer questions, to special guests every week. Dave joins Luke Delaney in studio to chat to his former teammates, opponents and much more over the course of talkSPORT Ireland's latest series. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy (https://acast.com/privacy) for more information.
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- Spotify
- 4.5 / 5
- 22 ratings
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