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Six Nations
'I'm not afraid to be different' - Monty Ioane's journey from child model to Italy superstar
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Contributors
Jamie Lyall
@jlyall93
After abandoning a career in veterinary medicine, Jamie turned to sports journalism six years ago, aiming to harness his passions for sport, writing, and complementary pre-match buffets. While his career has not grown as prolifically as his body fat percentage, he was fortunate enough to learn his trade with Planet Rugby and BBC Scotland before entering the freelance world. He has since been offered several brilliant opportunities to launch his commentary career, and when not writing for RugbyPass, can often be found bellowing names into a microphone for the BBC, BT Sport and others.
530 Articles
Latest
Six Nations
Paolo Odogwu: Edogbo racism, kit design and Italian growth
1
22 days ago
Six Nations
Calum MacRae: From Melrose to Treviso and back again
37 days ago
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The mighty Bordeaux prop who was '2mm away from death'
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42 days ago
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52 days ago
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Tom Christie: 'Newcastle will be successful, it's literally just a matter of time'
The Red Bulls' marquee signing talks Scott Robertson, meaningful action and his new club's lofty ambitions.
Jamie Lyall
19 Jan 2026, 7:12
3
Exclusive
Greg Fisilau: 'My dad made me walk home from a running session - he didn't know I had asthma'
Greg Fisilau's proud father reared him on a diet of rugby and tough love, and the Exeter Chief looks an England player in waiting.
Jamie Lyall
13 Jan 2026, 1:49
1
Exclusive
'Don't you have a contract?' The extraordinary coach who made the Stormers maul monsters
Rito Hlungwani rose from humble beginnings, overnight bus rides and amateur rugby to devise one of the game's most potent set-piec…
Jamie Lyall
09 Jan 2026, 4:36
8
Exclusive
Edoardo Todaro: The 'impossible' rise of Italy's newest talent
The teenager never aimed to be a professional rugby player, but is poised to become Italy's youngest debutant since Sergio Parisse…
Jamie Lyall
21 Nov 2025, 4:38
2
Exclusive
The Scottish coach who's graced an Olympic sevens and Rugby World Cup final
Iain Monaghan has quietly built a formidable CV, helping Canada's women reach the pinnacle of the sevens and XVs codes.
Jamie Lyall
26 Oct 2025, 5:58
Opinion
The RugbyPass team of the World Rugby U20 Championship
Seven champion Junior Boks and one ferocious Georgian are selected in RugbyPass' pick of the ultimate talent in the age-grade game…
Jamie Lyall
22 Jul 2025, 2:59
5
Exclusive
Mosese Bason: 'We stayed in a garage for a year and walked to school but the hard work is paying off'
Now a young father himself, New Zealand U20s' Mosese Bason takes inspiration from his parents, who moved from Tonga with only NZ$7…
Jamie Lyall
18 Jul 2025, 9:07
4
Opinion
Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 5-1
Solo stunners from O'Driscoll and North, 'one of the best tries ever scored' and Telfer's Everest speech feature in our final five…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall
18 Jul 2025, 0:27
1
Opinion
Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 15-11
Gibbs tramples The Ox, Warburton sweet-talks the ref and a selection bombshell feature in the latest of our 25 iconic Lions moment…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones Pat McCarry
16 Jul 2025, 1:00
Opinion
Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 20-16
Faletau's finish, the last address of the 'Lion King' and Cuthbert's cracker feature in the latest of our 25 iconic Lions moments.
Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones
14 Jul 2025, 23:00
1
Opinion
Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 25-21
Monye's dash to redemption, Weir's 'mistaken identity' and Kearney's cracker feature in the first five of our iconic Lions moment…
Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones
14 Jul 2025, 1:00
1
Exclusive
Maua Letiu: 'Dad was a stay-at-home dad, Mum worked in a chicken factory - they didn't sit and complain'
The Junior All Blacks captain is inspired by his Samoan parents and their sacrifice as he prepares to play for a place in the Worl…
Jamie Lyall
12 Jul 2025, 12:47
3
Exclusive
Kepu Tuipulotu: Adele, choosing England, and his 2029 Lions dream
England U20s' new captain loves lyrical music and cooking, and has been at the centre of clamour to secure his considerable talent…
Jamie Lyall
07 Jul 2025, 22:56
1
Exclusive
Sam Williams: 'I read a letter from my mum - that did all it needed to for the Scotland game'
The Leicester Tiger, who made his England U20s debut last week, talks family, injury and why he has "no excuses" not to reach his …
Jamie Lyall
03 Jul 2025, 8:06
Opinion
The players set to light up the World Rugby U20 Championship
Some of the world's best young players will converge on Northern Italy seeking to lift the U20 World Championship trophy
Jamie Lyall Owain Jones
27 Jun 2025, 10:55
5
Opinion
RugbyPass names the greatest Lions squad of the professional era
From the heroes of the 1997 series win to the last, Covid-affected, tour of South Africa in 2021, which players make our Lions XV?…
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall Neil Squires Owain Jones
18 Jun 2025, 23:34
17
Opinion
The RugbyPass retired XV of season 2024/25
RugbyPass constructs its ultimate team of male players to retire at the end of the current northern hemisphere season.
Jamie Lyall
18 Jun 2025, 6:01
4
Opinion
Finn Russell's not a 'maverick' - he represents the best of rugby
The charismatic Scot's temperament, tactical acumen and game intelligence have been questioned for too long.
Jamie Lyall
17 Jun 2025, 2:03
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Exclusive
Marco van Staden: 'I was told my career was done, but everything happens for a reason'
The Bok powerhouse came close to retiring on medical grounds, but is primed for another Bulls tilt at the URC crown.
Jamie Lyall
13 Jun 2025, 2:24
1
Exclusive
Johann van Graan: The Bulls boy who would be England's king
From 16-year-old analyst to an unprecedented treble, this is the unique, fascinating and powerful tale of Bath's meticulous suprem…
Jamie Lyall
12 Jun 2025, 0:28
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