Analysis
Nations Championship
The Fijians who lit up Scottish rugby 10,000 miles from home
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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.
545 Articles
Latest
Nations Championship
'Scotland swung for the king and missed - but there is much to take'
9
15 days ago
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Tyler Offiah: 'I want to be England's record try-scorer'
27 days ago
world rugby u20 championship
James Pater: England's teenage sensation in the George Furbank mould
32 days ago
International Rugby
George North exclusive: Breaking records, dumping Folau and retirement
1
35 days ago
Exclusive
'I was in the shadows, there was nothing for me': Kaleem Barreto's two-year odyssey of turmoil, hamstring grafts and unemployment
The sevens star could not run for 400 days and lost his job as a GB player while recovering from a second major surgery. Now, at l…
Jamie Lyall
27 May 2026, 4:26
Exclusive
Sam Talakai: 'I thought about what would my dad have wanted, and I knew in my heart he'd have wanted me to play'
The Glasgow prop lost his father suddenly in April last year, but has resolved to make the most of the opportunities his dad provi…
Jamie Lyall
26 May 2026, 1:45
1
Exclusive
Salesi Rayasi: The once-reluctant rugby player coming for Europe's crown
Salesi Rayasi nearly walked away from rugby at 18. Now, he is one game away from winning Europe's ultimate accolade with Bordeaux-…
Jamie Lyall
22 May 2026, 0:01
3
Exclusive
How Glasgow Warriors are building 'monsters in the darkness' to propel the club into a new era
As budgets tighten, a swathe of muscular academy members are being nurtured and hardened to buttress the club's future.
Jamie Lyall
12 May 2026, 6:04
1
Exclusive
Haashim Pead exclusive: 'I want to start my own foundation like Siya Kolisi'
One of the hottest prospects in world rugby outlines his Bok dreams, desire to give back and why the Lions are the right place for…
Jamie Lyall
01 May 2026, 3:58
1
Exclusive
Jimmy Roots: 'I had 36 stitches in my ear, the boys were calling me Vincent van Gogh'
The colourful yet determined prop has overcome injuries and setbacks to become Exeter Chiefs' energiser and Sandy Park cult hero.
Jamie Lyall
30 Apr 2026, 1:15
1
Exclusive
Ben Earl: Reading obsession, NRL dreams and why he 'doesn't care' if fans dislike his celebrations
In a wide-ranging interview, the England flanker talks candidly about his vulnerabilities, England struggles and passion for liter…
Jamie Lyall
23 Apr 2026, 5:58
8
Exclusive
Werner Kok: 'Stressful' Ulster limbo, Belfast love and a rogue fire extinguisher
The South African has become a fan favourite at Ravenhill, but is unsure whether the province will be able to renew his contract.
Jamie Lyall
16 Apr 2026, 5:21
4
Exclusive
Malelili Satala: The Scottish-Fijian starlet who slept outside a train station to make it
Raised by his grandparents in Fiji, the young Edinburgh wing has charted an extraordinary journey to reach the URC.
Jamie Lyall
31 Mar 2026, 23:49
7
Opinion
Six Nations 2026 Awards - and our Team of the Tournament
So many great tries, matches and individual displays in a championship for the ages, but which were the best?
Bryn Palmer Jamie Lyall
16 Mar 2026, 10:27
27
Exclusive
'I'm not afraid to be different' - Monty Ioane's journey from child model to Italy superstar
Heavily tattooed and a fashionista, Italy's flying winger has a menagerie of interests and opinions as he targets a first win over…
Jamie Lyall
06 Mar 2026, 3:30
1
Exclusive
Paolo Odogwu: 'I want to bridge that gap between fashion and sport and design our kit next year'
The Italy winger talks his love of fashion and creativity, and the horrors of the Edwin Edogbo abuse as a fellow player of Nigeria…
Jamie Lyall
20 Feb 2026, 22:00
1
Exclusive
Calum MacRae: 'Tommaso Menoncello is the best athlete I've coached but Finn Russell will be the difference'
Benetton's Scottish coach runs an analytical eye over the Six Nations clash in Rome, and the differences between rugby in Italy an…
Jamie Lyall
06 Feb 2026, 1:44
Exclusive
Carlu Sadie: 'I was 2mm away from death, exactly the same as Steven Kitshoff'
Bordeaux's South African juggernaut has charted an extraordinary journey back to the field following a career-threatening neck inj…
Jamie Lyall
01 Feb 2026, 4:49
6
Exclusive
Freddy Douglas: 'I did yoga aged 13 to help my jackaling but I'm not a one-trick pony'
The outstanding 20-year-old is already among the Europe's top poachers, but knows he may have to be patient with Scotland.
Jamie Lyall
22 Jan 2026, 2:57
Exclusive
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
