Opinion
England
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.
54 Articles
Latest
18 days ago England
England narrowly missed their opportunity in Dunedin
22 days ago England
Optimism abounds in the English game, a win in NZ would consolidate it
32 days ago England
England impress in Japan but stiffer challenges await
39 days ago England
Japan coach Eddie Jones is a complex figure who bewitched England fans
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'The All Blacks in New Zealand give you nowt without sweat and toil.'
England coach Steve Borthwick has some tough calls to make as he whittles down his squad for Japan and New Zealand
Mick Cleary
06 Jun 2024, 5:44
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'One thing is for sure – Saracens will not go gently into the night.'
It's one last dance for some Saracens legends and Northampton will be wary of the dangerous but ailing North Londoner's
Mick Cleary
31 May 2024, 3:30
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Stade Toulousain are not without their imperfections and vulnerabilities'
The aristocratic Top 14 side are stacked with superstars and will fancy their chances against a similarly star-studded Leinster si…
Mick Cleary
23 May 2024, 3:47
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'How difficult must it be to be a Glaws fan and keep frustrations in check?'
The shellacking dished out by Northampton has been defended by head coach George Skivington after his high-stakes selection gamble
Mick Cleary
15 May 2024, 5:23
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'What England desperately need is a feeling of everyone pulling in the same direction'
The club versus country debate has been rumbling on for eons but there are tentative signs progress is inbound, at last
Mick Cleary
01 May 2024, 2:50
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'There is no such thing as a run-of-the-mill, tepid, easy-as-it-goes East Midlands Derby'
For all the talk of exotic World Club Championships, it is affairs closer to home that stir the blood with the East Midlands derby…
Mick Cleary
18 Apr 2024, 3:10
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Warren Gatland didn’t bother asking Feyi-Waboso who he fancied playing for. Baxter left nothing to chance.'
The Chiefs have nothing to lose when heading to Toulouse and have a puncher's chance of causing an upset
Mick Cleary
10 Apr 2024, 11:57
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'It's hard to know why Farrell was never loved in the manner Jonny Wilkinson was'
The Saracens legend will soon be plying his trade in France and England fans should be left with regrets over his treatment
Mick Cleary
04 Apr 2024, 5:03
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England proved they are more than a limited, functional side'
In embracing attacking rugby, Steve Borthwick has proven himself to his players and the wider public.
Mick Cleary
18 Mar 2024, 7:03
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'What England were missing was what they produced big time on Saturday – a statement victory'
Steve Borthwick finally has a performance and result to build upon as Twickenham erupts, but it must not be a one-off
Mick Cleary
11 Mar 2024, 5:12
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England are in need of another resurrection act.'
Steve Borthwick's men are expected to be another bump in the road on Ireland's triumphant path to the Grand Slam, can they spring …
Mick Cleary
08 Mar 2024, 4:42
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England fans are entitled to be grumpy and weary'
Steve Borthwick's men fumbled the ball, tried to play too much rugby and were ultimately undone by Duhan van der Merwe's brillianc…
Mick Cleary
26 Feb 2024, 2:50
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England can’t go down without having a craic. That’s a positive development, a ballsy selection decision'
Steve Borthwick has shed his conservative image by dropping the dependable Freddie Steward for the creative George Furbank
Mick Cleary
23 Feb 2024, 5:31
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England would not supply many, if any, names to a Six Nations XV'
Steve Borthwick's side have identity, but remain too formulaic and too blunt in attack.
Mick Cleary
12 Feb 2024, 7:04
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Come on, Warren, send those boys out to Twickenham with a sense of Barry John in their souls'
England and Wales are sides in transition and both coaches must empower their players to cut loose and play on instinct
Mick Cleary
07 Feb 2024, 5:23
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'An England captain has to be more than a mere figurehead'
Jamie George is hugely experienced and a popular member of the squad and his relationship with Steve Borthwick will be pivotal
Mick Cleary
31 Jan 2024, 4:35
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Jamie George is England's rock at the head of a here's-hoping squad'
The new skipper has much on his plate, but there are reasons for cautious English optimism.
Mick Cleary
18 Jan 2024, 3:44
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Farrell has proven he has the rugby IQ for Lions task'
Andy Farrell's honesty, personality, charisma and humility means the 2025 tourists will be in good hands.
Mick Cleary
12 Jan 2024, 9:43
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'No team wins without a sense of itself. No team prospers without a good bit of fight in it.'
Steve Borthwick has tweaked his coaching team ahead of the 2024 Six Nations, emboldened by a strong showing in France
Mick Cleary
05 Jan 2024, 15:19
Opinion
'Lighten up and be a man of influence' - the festive issues facing Steve Borthwick
What must the England coach address as a new year and a new World Cup cycle begins?
Mick Cleary
19 Dec 2023, 11:35
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