Opinion
Rugby World Cup
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Contributors
Mick Cleary
Mick Cleary was sports feature writer for The Observer from 1988-1997 covering Wimbledon, Tour de France, F1, cricket, golf, athletics and horse racing. In 1997 he became Chief Rugby Correspondent of The Daily Telegraph. He has covered eight Rugby World Cups as well as seven Lions tours. Cleary has also written several books on the sport.
109 Articles
Latest
Autumn Nations Series
England are on an 11 game unbeaten run and aiming for World Cup glory
6
11 days ago
Autumn Nations Series
England showed their growing confidence with big win over All Blacks
48
18 days ago
Autumn Nations Series
England need a signature win over the All Black to affirm renaissance
8
25 days ago
Autumn Nations Series
England have made tangible progress in an eight-game winning run
1
32 days ago
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England must win blue-riband autumn matches, but there are deeper matters at play'
Can Steve Borthwick's England makeover, throwing off that boring, one-eyed, one-dimensional persona, continue?
Mick Cleary
30 Oct 2025, 2:13
58
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England have little chance of winning the World Cup unless they do one key thing – sort out their midfield.'
The days of Tindall and Greenwood are long gone but England would be emboldened if they could find the perfect marriage in midfiel…
Mick Cleary
22 Oct 2025, 6:18
13
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Ford still has the legs and lungs. And he certainly has the game. Pick him.'
Steve Borthwick is in a position of strength with England but he must not let clear momentum be stopped in its tracks this Autumn
Mick Cleary
16 Oct 2025, 9:33
15
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'It’s time to repay Lewis Moody with our enduring love and support.'
The heartbreaking news of Lewis Moody's MND diagnosis has shocked the rugby world and he has been inundated with support
Mick Cleary
07 Oct 2025, 6:53
2
Opinion
‘PREM has a fabulous chance to tap into upbeat mood music from Red Roses’ triumph’
England's women won hearts and minds from day one and the men need to be similarly expressive on and off the field.
Mick Cleary
01 Oct 2025, 9:31
6
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'The newly-branded PREM will have to be at its knuckle-duster aggressive best in the fight to make a mark.'
The Gallagher PREM is refreshed and ready to go and despite threats from a congested sports market, it's ready to take them head o…
Mick Cleary
23 Sep 2025, 8:43
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'These blokes have done the jersey proud, with their buy-in and with their relish.'
Andy Farrell will have been frustrated by the Sydney loss but in time can look back on a successful Lions Series in Australia
Mick Cleary
04 Aug 2025, 1:44
25
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'The MCG gave us the occasion we craved. It gave us memories. And that is priceless.'
The British & Irish Lions staged a magnificent 18-point comeback to break Wallaby hearts and win the Series
Mick Cleary
28 Jul 2025, 1:21
7
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'The soul was not lit up by underwhelming Lions first Test'
Lions series ought to be full of grandeur, heroic and uplifting for both sides, yet Saturday's Brisbane opener was anything but.
Mick Cleary
21 Jul 2025, 2:29
9
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Why the Lions have no excuses and Owen Farrell should be in the first Test 23'
Farell jnr proved his class and composure for a Lions team which delivered a statement performance, albeit against weak opposition…
Mick Cleary
14 Jul 2025, 6:01
21
Opinion
‘As things stand, the Lions are a flawed entity. They need to polish up their act’
There is a worrying feeling these Lions are not yet on top of their game, but the real business is yet to come.
Mick Cleary
10 Jul 2025, 4:19
4
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'The Lions need some serious honesty about what's required to win a Test match'
The 'limp' win over the Waratahs raised serious questions about the tourists' readiness for a full-blooded Test series against the…
Mick Cleary
07 Jul 2025, 2:35
5
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Itoje is the standard bearer for this Lions group. He leads the way.'
Andy Farrell has myriad conundrums to solve as the Lions near their defining moment but the captain's form is not a worry
Mick Cleary
04 Jul 2025, 1:59
1
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Farrell has sent out a clear message to the squad. The intensity levels need to rise.'
The Lions head coach, while pleased with a convincing victory over Western Force, has demanded much more intensity
Mick Cleary
30 Jun 2025, 5:50
2
Opinion
'Don’t cry for the Lions over Argentina... it should be their touchstone now'
The Lions' Dublin send-off was always going to be a distraction from the real business at hand, but now it is time to 'circle the …
Mick Cleary
23 Jun 2025, 4:05
8
Opinion
Mick Cleary: Five things Andy Farrell must get right this week
The coach has a set of non-negotiables to deliver as the British and Irish Lions prepare to play their first match of 2025 against…
Mick Cleary
19 Jun 2025, 0:10
2
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Bath have made all the running but Leicester are not there to make up numbers.'
The neutral, looking at the form guide, would expect a comfortable Bath win but Leicester's grit and guile shouldn't be underestim…
Mick Cleary
11 Jun 2025, 7:46
4
Opinion
‘This may be the end of an era at Leicester but the future looks bright’
Michael Cheika and a host of senior pros are leaving Leicester, but substantial foundations are in place for their successors.
Mick Cleary
04 Jun 2025, 2:08
6
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'There will be a battle royale for all the shirts over the coming weeks'
The back-row balance will be key to the Lions overpowering and outwitting the Wallabies and the scrap for a starting shirt will be…
Mick Cleary
28 May 2025, 3:38
4
Opinion
Retiring Care and Youngs leave worthy legacy to emerging England scrum-halves
England's new generation of No.9s will have to go some to match the class and durability of retiring duo.
Mick Cleary
16 May 2025, 7:05
1