MudderRucker

Round 4 is done — and this week Ailbhe and Cian are joined by not one but two guests. Chloe Pearse is back as ever, and making his MudderRucker debut is Huw Griffin of HG Rugby — Welsh rugby analyst, stats obsessive, and self-declared England hater. He fits right in.Huw takes us inside the chaos engulfing Welsh rugby and what it actually means for the women's game, while we try to work out if Sean Lynn's rebuild is finally starting to take shape. England are still winning but something is shifting — Italy put three tries past them before half time, and suddenly the gr...

Round 3 is done — and Chloe Pearse is back, somehow vertical after UL Bohemian's AIL title win, to help us make sense of it all.England did England things against Wales. Italy absolutely shocked Scotland in a result nobody saw coming. And Ireland went to Clermont, matched France for long stretches, created chances, and came home empty-handed. Again.The margins are getting smaller. The performances are getting better. The results just aren't following yet. Cian has done something slightly unhinged with statistics that we're not going to spoil here. Let's just say the number is one in four thousand, and leave it...

Round 3 is done — and Chloe Pearse is back, somehow vertical after UL Bohemian's AIL title win, to help us make sense of it all. England did England things against Wales. Italy absolutely shocked Scotland in a result nobody saw coming. And Ireland went to Clermont, matched France for long stretches, created chances, and came home empty-handed. Again. The margins are getting smaller. The performances are getting better. The results just aren't following yet. Cian has done something slightly unhinged with statistics that we're not going to spoil here. Let's just say the number is one in four thousand, and leave it...

Round 2 is in the books — and Ireland finally made it to Galway. The Dexcom delivered, the crowd delivered, and by God did the team deliver. Ailbhe and Cian are joined once again by Chloe Pearse — now preparing for an AIL final at the Aviva, no big deal — to break down a weekend that had everything. Scotland hosted England in front of 30,000 at Murrayfield and were absolutely, comprehensively, historically annihilated. France stuttered and scraped past Wales in a game that raised serious questions about their discipline. And Ireland put on a show in Galway that felt like something shifting. Aoife Wafer was ba...

Round 1 is done and dusted — and Chloe Pearse is back, fresh off an AIL semi-final POTM, to help us make sense of it all. France beat Italy, but don't let the scoreline fool you — their breakdown was an absolute shambles and Italy had them rattled for long stretches. Chloe still thinks France are beatable, and honestly, after watching that, it's hard to argue. Wales and Scotland served up the kind of thriller that reminds you why you love this sport, and then there was Twickenham. 77,120 people. The biggest crowd in the history of women's rugby. Ireland were 21-0 down at half...

We're BACK! Season 3 of MudderRucker kicks off with a bang — Ailbhe and Cian are joined by the brilliant Chloe Pearse (calling in live from her sun lounger, can of Dorado in hand) to preview the 2026 Women's Six Nations. We get into Erin King's appointment as Ireland captain, what it means for the team, and why Ailbhe reckons she's been a leader in the making since she was 16. We break down England's unprecedented squad upheaval — pregnancies, injuries, and 8 uncapped players — and ask the question everyone's thinking: is there finally blood in the water? Then it's France's bold generational gamble, Italy's experience-heavy squad...

The Rugby World Cup 2025 reaches its finale, and England’s Red Roses stand tall as champions on home soil. Canada threw everything at them but couldn’t crack a side built on set-piece power, defensive grit, and the depth to finish games out. Ailbhe and Cian are joined by Fiona Hayes and Chloe Pearse to break down the World Cup Final and Bronze match. From Botterman’s turnovers and Bern’s scrum impact to Ellie Kildunne’s brilliance, they explore how England pulled away when it mattered. There’s reflection on what Canada got right and why it wasn’t enough, how Fr...

Semi-final weekend delivered drama and a BIG exit — the Black Ferns are out, and Canada are into the Rugby World Cup final. Sophie de Goede led from the front in a masterclass of control and decision-making, while New Zealand couldn’t find answers in the set piece or at the breakdown. Joining Ailbhe and Cian are Chloe Pearse and Ruth Campbell to break down how Canada took apart the reigning champions, what went wrong for the French against England, and what it all means for Sunday’s final. Along the way, we talk crowdfunding myths, purple patches, turnover battles, and the di...

Ireland’s World Cup run ends at the quarter-final stage against France, but not without controversy. The infamous “bite” incident grabs headlines, but the real story is Ireland’s performance across the pitch, the progress of this campaign, and what it means heading into the next four-year cycle. Ailbhe and Cian are joined by Ireland prop Christy Haney and Munster Player of the Year Chloe Pearse to reflect on the defeat, from Linda Djougang’s relentless carrying to Ruth Campbell’s fearlessness in the tight exchanges. They dig into Ireland’s scrum and maul dominance, where the attack still needs to evolve, and...

It finished 40–nil—but the noise told a different story. This week on MudderRucker, Ailbhe and Cian are joined by Chloe Pearse and Alice Soper to unpack Ireland’s bruising night against the Black Ferns in Brighton: the offloads, the width, the collision zone, and where Ireland’s shape came unstuck. We also zoom out to what actually mattered: the crowd, the feeling around the team, and why nights like this can still move the needle for the women’s game. Then it’s eyes forward—France next—and what a fuller deck might look like (hello, Aoife Wafer, Erin King, Dorothy Wa...

Ireland may be two from two with Eve Higgins at the heart of the action, but there’s a gravitational pull towards a Black Ferns vortex of danger. In this week’s MudderRucker, Ailbhe and Cian are joined by Chloe Pearse and Christy Haney to dissect the five-try win over Spain that somehow still felt nervy. We break down scrum dominance, shaky set-piece calls, and defensive breakdowns — plus the all-important tempo stat that’s turning out to be the only one that matters this World Cup. Christy brings serious prop insight (and no patience for bad calls), Chloe unpacks the pressure...

Ireland opened their Rugby World Cup campaign with a tempo-heavy win over Japan — and on this week’s MudderRucker, Ailbhe and Cian are joined by Chloe Pearse and Alycia Washington to break it all down. We’re talking lightning quick ball, dominant breakdowns, standout performances (yes, Brittany Hogan, we see you), and why lighting quick ruck speed is starting to look like a serious stat. Plus, we check in on the rest of the first round results, preview the upcoming clash with Spain, and ask: are Ireland building something serious here? Also featuring: midfield excellence, controlled chaos, set-piece shoutouts, and Alycia...

Welcome to Episode 12 of Mudder Rucker, your go-to podcast for Irish women's rugby! Join hosts Ailbhe O'Nolan and Cian Ó Muilleoir as they discuss the World Cup warm-up games against Scotland and Canada, and dive into the first round of the Interpros. Special guests Chloe Pearse and Nikki Caughey share their unique insights and personal rugby journeys. Don't miss out on their discussion about squad announcements, intense rivalries, and the challenges of transitioning from club to international rugby. Get ready for an episode packed with game analysis, personal stories, and the ever-entertaining Lucky Dip. ▶️ Watch full episodes on YouTube: / @mudderrucker 📱 Follow us on In...

Two new skippers, one microphone, and plenty of interpro spice. This week on MudderRucker, Maeve Óg O’Leary (Munster) and Molly Boyne (Leinster) join Ailbhe for a chat about what it really feels like to pull on the provincial jersey with a “C” beside your name for the first time. From learning how to lead your mates (and not just boss them), to why jersey shopping is a surprisingly risky business, to the pressure of legacy and big-game nerves, the captains spill on everything it takes to steer a team through the chaos of interpros. Expect talk of early camp dramas...

Eve Higgins and Aoife Dalton take centre stage in this episode, swapping stories from the frontline of Irish rugby’s midfield battleground. From debut nerves and sevens circus tales to the art of reading a game and mastering defence, they pull back the curtain on what it takes to hold the line. Hear about team rituals that glue the squad together, camp quirks (including rave music that won’t quit), and the green wave mantra powering the squad’s rise. Plus, a quiz with chaotic truths and laughs guaranteed. Follow us on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mudderruckerpodcast Bluesky: @mudderrucker.bsky.s...

Pre-season camp is in full swing and Jane Clohessy plus Niamh “Noddy” O’Dowd drop by to swap fresh-camp anecdotes and rewind to their very different Six Nations first-cap memories. Hear how a routine lash-lift turned into a selection cliff-hanger, why laser-tag suddenly broke out at team dinner, and what not to wear to a coach’s one-to-one. On the rugby side they dig into camp training loads, the early homework on Pool-C foes Japan, Spain and New Zealand, and which players are driving standards. Add the famous Lucky Dip, a not so quick-fire quiz, and a dash of accent chaos, a...

On June 1st in Oslo, a team of trans women will face a team of cis elite players from the women's game in a sevens rugby match called Ruck You—a powerful act of protest, inclusion, and solidarity through sport. This week on MudderRucker, we bring you a special episode dedicated to the voices behind that game, and the policy that made it necessary. We speak with former USA international Alycia Washington, former Irish rugby international Ilse van Staden, leading exercise scientist Dr. Joanna Harper, and former East London RFC player Alix Fitzgerald. Together, they unpack the real-world impact of Wo...

This week on MudderRucker, it’s the end of the Six Nations—and the end of our first series! Chloe Pearse and Katie O’Dwyer are back to help us unpack Ireland’s bruising, frustrating, and oddly hopeful finale against Scotland at The Hive. We talk injuries, inexperience, and intercepts, plus how the squad responded when under pressure when leaders were lost from the field. We also look at the big Six Nations takeaways, from breakdown dominance and lineout leaps to why Ireland’s attack is sharper—but still has room to grow. There’s plenty of praise for Brittany Hogan, calls f...

This week on MudderRucker, we’re bringing you a special bonus episode ahead of the AIL Women’s Final at the Aviva! Ailbhe sits down with Railway Union captain Niamh Byrne and UL Bohemian head coach Fiona Hayes for an in-depth look at what makes this fixture—and this rivalry—so special. From Rocky-themed team talks to Atomic Kitten singalongs, we dive into the sisterhood, scrap, and sheer joy that fuels the women’s club game. We hear from up-and-comers like Aoife Corey and Molly Boyne, plus reflections from legends like Lindsay Peat and Ailsa Hughes on what it means to play—an...

This week on MudderRucker, we welcome tighthead legend Katie O'Dwyer alongside the ever-brilliant Chloe Pearse to break down Round 4 of the Women’s Six Nations. Italy pushed France all the way, England cruised past Scotland, and Ireland turned in a dominant performance against Wales—but was it dominant enough? We unpack Ireland's clinical-but-could’ve-been-clinicaler win in Newport, assess the depth being built ahead of the World Cup, and discuss standout showings from the likes of Linda Djougang, Molly Scuffil-McCabe, and the unstoppable Aoife Dalton. We also talk set piece trends, scrum-half battles, and the big loss of Erin King to injury...

This week on MudderRucker, we’re joined by Irish rugby legends Chloe Pearse and Ilse van Staden to unpack a huge weekend of Women’s Six Nations action. From Ireland’s gutsy, galvanising 50-minute stand against England, to France’s chaos-ball against Wales and Italy’s bounce-back win over Scotland, there’s loads to dive into. We talk player development, set-piece struggles, the growing IQ and grit of this Irish team, and how a relentless defensive mindset is putting belief back at the heart of the squad. Plus, we get into the future of the AIL, club rivalries, fullback nightmares, and what Mel...

This week on MudderRucker, we're thrilled to welcome back rugby savant Chloe Pearse for another cracking episode! Join us as we break down Ireland's outstanding performance against Italy, highlighting incredible defensive efforts, explosive attacking plays, and the depth now evident throughout the squad. Chloe shares insider insights on standout players, tactical changes, and discusses Ireland's mindset heading into the massive clash with England at Musgrave Park. We also dive into controversies on the pitch, particularly that baffling TMO decision, and explore how Ireland can continue their upward trajectory in the Six Nations. Tune in as Ailbhe, Cian, and Chloe provide...

This week on MudderRucker, we’re joined by not one but two Irish rugby legends—Chloe Pearse and Ilse van Staden! We get the inside scoop on life in camp, the highs and lows of the Six Nations opener against France, and how the squad is bouncing back ahead of the clash with Italy. Plus, we dig into leadership styles, team dynamics, and some unexpected insights into life off the pitch. Join Ailbhe and Cian for an honest, insightful, and occasionally hilarious chat that every Irish rugby fan will love. On Bluesky, you can find Ailbhe at @irishwomens.bsky.social and...

We talk with the inimitable Chloe Pearse and get some insights into life within the Irish camp, her rugby journey, and her thoughts on Ireland's prospects heading into the massive tournament opener against France.

Join hosts Ailbhe O’Nolan and Cian Ó Muilleoir as they bring you all the latest from Irish women’s rugby! From the Women’s Six Nations to key matches and big talking points, Mudder Rucker keeps it fun, accessible, and full of insight. No overcomplicated analysis—just straight-talking rugby chat and exclusive interviews with Irish rugby stars. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or new to the game, subscribe for new episodes every week!