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Chris Jones

Rugby and tennis correspondent of the Evening Standard for 22 years . Now in Sunday Times, ESPN,Mail on Sunday, Express, Mailonline and RugbyPass.

EXCLUSIVE: Wasps' special deal with Springboks over use of Le Roux revealed
Willie Le Roux, the most experienced back in South Africa’s squad, has cut a unique deal with Wasps over how often he can play f…
Chris Jones
07 Aug 2018, 4:16
EXCLUSIVE: Springbok Brits confirms retirement u-turn and reveals latest on club search
Schalk Brits has exclusively confirmed to RugbyPass that he's ended his self-imposed retirement from rugby after being convinced b…
Chris Jones
03 Aug 2018, 3:09
Saracens forced to evolve in response to leaking of coaching talent - Sanderson
Paul Gustard’s arrival as Harlequins head of rugby is the latest example of Saracens impact on coaching around the rugby world a…
Chris Jones
13 Jul 2018, 6:09
All Black's concussion nightmare confounded consultants and nearly ended his Harlequins career
All Black centre Francis Saili has finally been cleared of the concussion symptoms that threatened to force him out of the game, e…
Chris Jones
11 Jul 2018, 4:48
Botha vows to 'make Germany great again' as Samoan clash looms
Former England lock Mouritz Botha has faced many challenges in his rugby career, but helping to “make Germany great again” aft…
Chris Jones
28 Jun 2018, 6:29
White issues Erasmus advice if Springboks are to be World Cup challengers
Jake White is urging Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus to follow his World Cup winning lead and bring in an experienced coach to hel…
Chris Jones
26 Jun 2018, 11:58
Rival No.8 who broke limb 3 times offers advice as plate inserted into Vunipola's arm
Billy Vunipola has undergone surgery to repair the arm he broke for a second time in England’s losing test series with South Afr…
Chris Jones
25 Jun 2018, 3:09
Ashton has some advice for Eddie Jones on handling Cipriani
Brian Ashton, the England head coach who launched Danny Cipriani’s international career in 2008 and then had to drop him for vis…
Chris Jones
23 Jun 2018, 3:58
Jones explains why Ford has been dropped for Cipriani
Danny Cipriani will make his first start for England for a decade after being handed the No10 jersey against South Africa on Satur…
Chris Jones
21 Jun 2018, 7:43
Exclusive: Saracens owner Wray addresses rumours of shock Brits return to club
Saracens owner Nigel Wray has spoken about Schalk Brits' shock comeback from retirement, with the South African linked to a return…
Chris Jones
19 Jun 2018, 13:05
RFU chiefs clarify position on Eddie Jones
With pressure mounting on Eddie Jones following a fifth Test defeat in a row, English rugby chiefs have had their say.
Chris Jones
18 Jun 2018, 3:28
6ft 7 inch, 120kg Nick Isiekwe aims to bulk-up on 'special' diet
Nick Isiekwe is already one of England’s biggest forwards but the young Saracens lockintends to become an even more formidable p…
Chris Jones
07 Jun 2018, 5:58
England will use copycat blueprint to beat Boks - Venter
Brendan Venter expects England to copy the title-winning game plan he developed at Premiership champions Saracens to win the three…
Chris Jones
07 Jun 2018, 4:10
Springboks to make racial history against England
South African rugby is expected to make history again tomorrow when the Springboks name their first all black front row for the op…
Chris Jones
06 Jun 2018, 8:01
EXCLUSIVE: Ex-All Black coach believes England's 'brutal' SA tour is fatally flawed
Former All Black coach John Mitchell believes England's bid for a test series triumph in South Africa is fatally flawed because tw…
Chris Jones
05 Jun 2018, 4:12
'I've got family who have those views' - gay issue won't split Pocock and Folau
Israel Folau and David Pocock insist their very different views on homosexuality will not cause a rift in the Australia squad as t…
Chris Jones
04 Jun 2018, 2:03
Eddie Jones to enlist brain doctor to cure 'slowness' of English players
Eddie Jones has sought help from an expert in brain research to try and work out why his England players are slow to adapt to prob…
Chris Jones
31 May 2018, 3:53
'Eddie is flogging coaches too' - Moody backs former teammate for England defence job
Lewis Moody, the World Cup winning former captain, is urging Eddie Jones to consider former Wasps flanker Joe Worsley for the Engl…
Chris Jones
30 May 2018, 7:10
'Freak' Mako Vunipola ready to dismantle Springboks
Saracens captain Brad Barritt has warned South Africa that Mako Vunipola is the best prop in the world and will prove it for Engla…
Chris Jones
28 May 2018, 12:14
Farrell claims injury scare just 'cramp'
Captain Owen Farrell gave England an injury scare ahead of their three-test series in South Africa when he limped out of Saracens …
Chris Jones
26 May 2018, 12:23
Kruis: 'I will be out for eight to ten weeks'
England lock George Kruis has just one more game to negotiate before ankle surgery rules him out for two months and believes he ca…
Chris Jones
24 May 2018, 9:17
Finn Russell defends Glasgow's 4G pitch after Scarlets' player describes it as 'shocking'
Scotland Number 10 Finn Russell, who delivered the “miracle pass” which triggered England’s Six Nations demise, returns to h…
Chris Jones
23 May 2018, 5:29
"I just couldn’t turn this opportunity down" - Gustard
Paul Gustard insisted today he could not turn down the chance to become Harlequins head of rugby despite leaving England needing t…
Chris Jones
21 May 2018, 5:21
This is Harlequins new headcoach and it has implications for England
The rumours are true and it throws the cat among the pigeons.
Chris Jones
20 May 2018, 13:10
Hughes defies logic to set up titanic encounter with Vunipola
Nathan Hughes’ ability to defy medical opinion has set up a titanic clash with England No8 rival Billy Vunipola when Wasps attem…
Chris Jones
18 May 2018, 11:16
"I want to win 3-0" - near 'nutcase' Jones demands Bok destruction
Eddie Jones has rediscovered his mojo and is claiming that despite a disastrous Six Nations and appearing to be a “shambles”, …
Chris Jones
17 May 2018, 9:31
EXCLUSIVE - 'Pacific Super team CEO? No islander need apply'
Fiji international Josh Matavesi is backing plans to launch a combined Pacific Islands team into the Super Rugby competition in 20…
Chris Jones
16 May 2018, 12:05
EXCLUSIVE - 'Nervous' Haskell fears Hartley will make him change in portable toilet
James Haskell is confident his move from Wasps to Northampton Saints next season will help him avoid the P45 he believes Eddie Jon…
Chris Jones
14 May 2018, 6:21
EXCLUSIVE - Former Springbok on why England will win first ever series on South African soil
England are coming off three successive Six Nations defeats but Schalk Brits makes Eddie Jones’s men favourite to win next month…
Chris Jones
13 May 2018, 5:20
'He is different' - Dallaglio challenges Jones' perception of Cipriani and where exactly he should play
Lawrence Dallaglio has challenged Eddie Jones to ignore Danny Cipriani's controversial past and form his own opinion about one of …
Chris Jones
11 May 2018, 3:38
Eddie Jones comes out firing in defence of team selection
Eddie Jones was in bullish mood as he defended his right to pick Hurricanes captain Brad Shields and Wasps outside half Danny Cipr…
Chris Jones
10 May 2018, 2:34
Eddie Jones urged to pick backrower to face Springboks, and it's not Brad Shields
Eddie Jones is being urged to take young Wasps flanker Jack Willis on England’s three test tour of South Africa as the head coac…
Chris Jones
07 May 2018, 2:29
Zinzan Brooke has tipped who he wants to succeed Kingston at Harlequins
All Black great Zinzan Brooke, a former player-coach at Harlequins, has watched with increasing frustration the demise of one of t…
Chris Jones
04 May 2018, 10:51
Saracens running on empty? Don't bet on it warns Wigglesworth
England scrumhalf Richard Wigglesworth has warned their title-chasing rivals that Saracens are peaking at the right time to claim …
Chris Jones
03 May 2018, 7:04
Exclusive - Wasps address explosive claims that 3 of their biggest names on verge of walking
Wasps have dismissed claims England stars Joe Launchbury, Elliot Daly and Christian Wade are threatening to quit the Aviva Premier…
Chris Jones
26 Apr 2018, 2:25
"Am I upset? No" - Haskell gives exclusive update on his search for a new club
James Haskell is still searching for a new Aviva Premiership club to keep his England dream alive as he prepares for his final hom…
Chris Jones
23 Apr 2018, 12:33
Row erupts between Eddie Jones and New Zealand Rugby over Brad Shields
A row has erupted between England and New Zealand over Eddie Jones’s request to include Hurricanes forward Brad Shields in the E…
Chris Jones
19 Apr 2018, 2:37
Just a year out of school, Marcus Smith scoops 3 awards to round off remarkable debut season
Marcus Smith has capped a remarkable first season with Harlequins by scooping three awards including the Player’s Player of the …
Chris Jones
18 Apr 2018, 1:27
Exclusive: Ex-Wallaby captain Horwill responds to 'player power' allegations at Harlequins
Former Wallaby captain James Horwill has reacted to claims that player power played a major role in John Kingston’s axing.
Chris Jones
13 Apr 2018, 3:29
EXCLUSIVE: The per-season figure of the Premiership's multi-million pound sponsorship deal revealed
The Premiership will have a new title sponsor for next season, ending an eight-year partnership with Aviva. RugbyPass can exclu…
Chris Jones
12 Apr 2018, 2:26
The ultimate reason Kingston lost his job and why more could follow
Harlequins failure to qualify for the European Champions Cup is the reason John Kingston lost his job as director of rugby and oth…
Chris Jones
09 Apr 2018, 11:27
After massive losses revealed, Worcester Warriors face survival battle on and off pitch
Premiership club Worcester Warriors remain on course to avoid relegation, but their financial survival is a much bigger concern af…
Chris Jones
08 Apr 2018, 11:52
Nigel Wray responds as rumours of 'Saracens for sale' spread
Nigel Wray today dismissed claims Saracens are up for sale as “rubbish” as has assumed total control of the reigning European …
Chris Jones
03 Apr 2018, 1:27
Barritt describes gruesome facial surgery that will allow him to face Leinster
Brad Barritt will lead holders Saracens into their European Champions Cup quarter-final with Leinster with a titanium plate in hi…
Chris Jones
28 Mar 2018, 8:42
Controversial relegation shake-up for Premiership on the cards
London Irish could be exiled from the English Premiership for five years under a controversial proposal being put forward by the R…
Chris Jones
27 Mar 2018, 2:04
England players thrown back in at Premiership deep end
Despite concerns over a burnout, nine of the England match squad beaten by Grand Slam winners Ireland will return for the London d…
Chris Jones
23 Mar 2018, 5:01
Premiership unveil the perfect weapon in battle for control of English rugby
England’s top professional clubs have found the perfect weapon in their on-going battle for control of the game by appointing Ia…
Chris Jones
22 Mar 2018, 3:59
'Central contracts' plan for England players dealt crushing blow
England rugby chief Stephen Brown today killed off any idea of central contracts for Eddie Jones’s players and admitted the earl…
Chris Jones
21 Mar 2018, 7:17
"There's a certain amount of anger" - but Sinckler has found 'balance'
Prop Kyle Sinckler, who served a seven week ban for gouging this season, is one of England’s “angry” forwards who are being …
Chris Jones
16 Mar 2018, 6:03
Eddie Jones likens Bastareaud to 130kg hybrid of two Wallaby and All Black greats
Eddie Jones believes Mathieu Bastareaud is a potent combination of Wallaby great George Smith and All Black star Sonny Bill Willia…
Chris Jones
05 Mar 2018, 7:58
Vunipola singles out two Scots England simply weren't ready for
Mako Vunipola has given a brutally frank assessment of England’s failing against Scotland admitting England “let themselves do…
Chris Jones
26 Feb 2018, 5:51
England take drastic steps to combat cold in Edinburgh
With predicted single figure temperatures for match day, England have taken a radical step to combat the cold against Scotland in…
Chris Jones
20 Feb 2018, 1:39
EXCLUSIVE: 'This has been my toughest season' - Sinckler ready to control aggression
Having seen Harlequins teammate Joe Marler recalled to the England squad after his second ban of the season, Kyle Sinckler is desp…
Chris Jones
14 Feb 2018, 8:40
Courtney Lawes issues warning to those seeking to target Mike Brown
Courtney Lawes is ready to make the transformation from YouTube sensation to England talisman with Scotland set to feel the full f…
Chris Jones
12 Feb 2018, 13:00
Dallagio has selection advice for Eddie Jones as England hit by backrow crisis
Lawrence Dallaglio is urging Eddie Jones to pick the Exeter pair of Sam Simmonds and Don Armand to solve England’s Six Nations b…
Chris Jones
15 Jan 2018, 6:22
'I've tested the jaw out' - Itoje details extent of his jaw reconstruction
Maro Itoje has four metal plates in his jaw but insists he is ready for a whatever Ospreys throw at the Saracens lock in tomorrow…
Chris Jones
12 Jan 2018, 12:10
McCall reveals behind the scenes talks that reignited Saracens season
Mark McCall believes clear the air talks were key to ending a seven game losing run and has put Saracens back on track to register…
Chris Jones
11 Jan 2018, 6:19
Cash rich Sale Sharks to search globe for player - Diamond
AJ MacGinty, the USA Eagles No10, is waiting to discover how seriously he damaged his knee helping defeat Harlequins 30-29 and Sal…
Chris Jones
08 Jan 2018, 3:13
EXCLUSIVE: Namibian Bothma to continue Jacques Burger's brutal European legacy
Harlequins flanker Renaldo Bothma has set himself the daunting challenge of replacing Jacques Burger as the face of Namibian rugby…
Chris Jones
14 Dec 2017, 10:23
EXCLUSIVE: Haskell reveals new strategy in bid to reclaim England spot
James Haskell has turned to a sports psychologist who helps mixed martial arts fighters and poker players in a bid to regain his E…
Chris Jones
06 Dec 2017, 3:37
EXCLUSIVE: Azzuri 'nowhere near' England or Ireland - O'Shea gives brutal assessment
Conor O’Shea accepts his Italy team will need England to suffer a serious drop in performance to give the Azzuri any chance of p…
Chris Jones
30 Nov 2017, 7:22
EXCLUSIVE: Details of England women's lucrative new deal revealed
England’s women’s players have struck a new new deal thrashed with the RFU after their one year full time contracts will contr…
Chris Jones
20 Nov 2017, 6:16
Eddie Jones makes public apology...before attacking journalist's 'professionalism'
Eddie Jones moved from defence to attack better than his players today as he dealt with the fall-out from the television pictures …
Chris Jones
13 Nov 2017, 12:25
EXCLUSIVE: Change rule or continue to watch Argentinian rugby decline - Bosch
Marcelo Bosch helped Argentina reach the 2015 World Cup semi-finals but fears the Pumas will not make a similar impact in Japan un…
Chris Jones
10 Nov 2017, 7:57
England scupper hopes for an unofficial fourth Lions test
The prospect of an unofficial “ fourth” Lions test against the All Blacks appears to have been scuppered by England’s decisi…
Chris Jones
10 Jul 2017, 18:40
Chris Ashton ready to unleash 'Le Splash'
Chris Ashton is ready to unleash “ Le Splash” on French rugby having started training with his new club Toulon after five year…
Chris Jones
07 Jul 2017, 6:45
Catrakilis has to fill big boots at Harlequins
Demetri Catrakilis is relishing the daunting job of replacing All Black Nick Evans as the Harlequins play-maker and main points sc…
Chris Jones
05 Jul 2017, 18:53
Queenstown welcomes some Lions
Now there are two Remarkables to be seen in Queenstown. One is a group of imposing figures seemingly dominating the winter sport m…
Chris Jones
03 Jul 2017, 22:39
Lions great Edwards wants Warburton recalled
Sir Gareth Edwards is urging Warren Gatland to recall British and Irish Lions captain Sam Warburton to the starting XV for the sec…
Chris Jones
25 Jun 2017, 21:03
Why Venter is the right man for the Boks
While the All Blacks and British and Irish Lions test series is dominating rugby, it is easy to miss the dramatic influence Dr Bre…
Chris Jones
23 Jun 2017, 2:08
Lions "amateur" selection
Arthur Porritt has a special place in New Zealand sporting history having won the country’s first Olympic medal, grabbing bronze…
Chris Jones
17 Jun 2017, 18:38
Premiership clubs ready to splash the cash
The good news is that Todd Blackadder had a very good holiday in Italy and Greece. The bad news for New Zealand rugby is that Blac…
Chris Jones
12 Jun 2017, 18:43
Four reasons for Lions hope
Conor Murray, Sean O’Brien, Jonathan Davies and George North remain untainted by the fall-out from the British and Irish Lions o…
Chris Jones
07 Jun 2017, 4:35
Gatland and Umaga square up to media
Warren Gatland bemoans the recurring questions about “Warrenball” while Sonny Bill Williams steps in to deflect attention from…
Chris Jones
06 Jun 2017, 0:55
Lions Attrition Rate
One of the few positives to come out of the British and Irish Lions debacle against the New Zealand Provincial Barbarians was the …
Chris Jones
05 Jun 2017, 1:19
Nick Evans could pose a rare opportunity for English rugby
Wayne Smith has made it clear he will never coach against the All Blacks when he stands down from his role at the end of this seas…
Chris Jones
02 Jun 2017, 4:59
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