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.
The new British and Irish Lions captain will take his earring assuredness to the Wallabies, a distinctive multi-layered modern man…
Warren Gatland forged a sense of togetherness in his 2013 Lions but faced personal 'vitriol' after leaving out a legend.
Marred by newspaper columns and controversy, Graham Henry's 2001 vintage still served up a fabulous Test series against the Wallab…
After brawls, drama and excitement, an initially controversial tour cemented Australia's place on the Lions southern hemisphere ag…
Europe's elite tournament needs more uncertainty rather than another shakedown towards an inevitable Leinster-Toulouse final.
A game between two three-time winners of the Champions Cup should whet the appetite of fans but Saracens' weakened side risks its …
Steve Borthwick's men were much maligned at the start of the Six Nations but their renaissance is gathering momentum
Wales will aim to harness the passion of their home crowd but the game will be decided by form, not historical enmity, with Englan…
England are in the mix for an unlikely shot at the Six Nations Championship to prove that baby steps are turning into real signs o…
Steve Borthwick is yet again under-fire for England's brand of rugby and the visit of Italy is the time prove his doubters wrong
England may have the Calcutta Cup back but there was little jubilation after a win which raised more questions.
Bottling emotion and making steady selections are key if England are to end their drought against Scotland.
Just when hope was starting to drain from England's fans at Twickenham, Steve Borthwick's side pulled off a victory to lift the sp…
Steve Borthwick's men flatter to deceive as their hopes go South with a second-half implosion in Dublin and France are up next
There is plenty on the line in both the short and medium term for Ireland and England on Saturday.
There is little room for error in England's preparation for the 2025 Six Nations and the pressure is on them to find an upturn in …
There is a changing of the guard as England captain and optimism abounds at the start of a year where Steve Borthwick must improve…
The Ireland head coach will approach the Lions gig in the same indefatigable manner he has approached every role
Aftercare for players, the RFU's policy on overseas talent and Premiership travails are all high on the agenda for the next 12 mon…
The clock is ticking on the 2027 World Cup and England must decide when to discard those players past their prime
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