Claire Thomas has lived and breathed sport all her life - besotted from an early age, before competing internationally - and is lucky enough to, these days, talk and write about it for a living. When not mainlining tea in various commentary gantries, wishing she handled the cold better - she’s generally found running, or watching Squidge Rugby videos for a second time, painstakingly pausing them to cackle at all the tiny in-jokes.
Bristol Bears are about razzamatazz, with the ‘r’ rolled, a cheeky wink, and the implication of a lit fuse just out of shot.
"I clocked the first comment then realised there were two, three, four telling me I looked like a man in drag."
La Crunch is back - but not as you know it. This version is bigger, shinier and veritably humming with all that’s at stake in th…
I’m not as convinced as I was two months ago that they’ll win the Rugby World Cup, and I know I’m not alone. And, as counter…
Head Coach David Ortiz was ‘ecstatic’ on Sunday, as Les Bleues confirmed top spot in Pool D, and a date with Ireland in the 20…
It’s well-documented that Alex Codling is ‘obsessed’ with line outs. In fact - it’s almost as well-documented as the 3,500…
Who are Ireland facing on Sunday? There's an athlete who defies physics, convention, and speed limits on such a regular basis we r…
The short version: Australia just need a competition point against England to qualify for the playoffs; their forwards’ shoulder…
With the second pool weekend upon us, England play Samoa. Claire Thomas writes about how Manusina are formidable just for being pr…
In case you - somehow - missed the memo: in England, the summer of 2025 was the summer of the Lioness.
Appropriately, given head coach Scott Bemand’s side open up at Franklin’s Gardens - there’s a floral force awaiting them: Ja…
In terms of Red Roses knowledge ahead of their home World Cup, you think you know your Lucy from your Marlie Packers, but what abo…
Gareth Steenson ‘Steeno’ is back on the side of the Irish Sea where it all started, in the green he last wore as skipper of th…
Let’s start with the obvious, then. Sunday isn’t for the faint-hearted. It’s not for the half-committed. But it’s definite…
The impending Six Nations will be without a hoard of England-qualified battering rams and laser beams, who’d stroll into other c…
Statistics only tell a sliver of the story: they’re just one lens through which to view sport, and, come the business end of thi…
This opening block has been glorious, and - bonus - educational. For those interested, here’s a little of what I’ve learned.
The origins of Amelia MacDougall, Saracens’ all-action teenage fly-half, have already been fairly well documented.
Ahead of Sunday, when Gloucester-Hartpury get their title defence underway against Leicester Tigers - live on TNT Sports - I aquap…
Where to begin? Let’s start domestically - and with the best league in the world. Premiership Women’s Rugby is just weeks away…
Clear 
@Claire_GThomas 
