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 England head coach is approaching the 2026 Six Nations in a position of strength as he builds towards the World Cup next year
Top-level rugby wants to grow and putting the Nations Championship on free-to-air with ITV in a bumper deal is a fillip for the sp…
While there is little jeopardy for the top sides in the early stages, RWC27 promises to put on a show that will enchant across the…
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for turning England from plucky losers to triumphant victors in a stunning 12 month period
Steve Borthwick finally has a marquee win to show for his efforts and now the task is to build some momentum towards the World Cup
The fixture against New Zealand serves as a litmus test as to England's progress and a win will seem them as genuine World Cup con…
Steve Borthwick has engineered an eight-game winning run leaving England fans bullish brighter times lie ahead
Can Steve Borthwick's England makeover, throwing off that boring, one-eyed, one-dimensional persona, continue?
The days of Tindall and Greenwood are long gone but England would be emboldened if they could find the perfect marriage in midfiel…
Steve Borthwick is in a position of strength with England but he must not let clear momentum be stopped in its tracks this Autumn
The heartbreaking news of Lewis Moody's MND diagnosis has shocked the rugby world and he has been inundated with support
England's women won hearts and minds from day one and the men need to be similarly expressive on and off the field.
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…
Andy Farrell will have been frustrated by the Sydney loss but in time can look back on a successful Lions Series in Australia
The British & Irish Lions staged a magnificent 18-point comeback to break Wallaby hearts and win the Series
Lions series ought to be full of grandeur, heroic and uplifting for both sides, yet Saturday's Brisbane opener was anything but.
Farell jnr proved his class and composure for a Lions team which delivered a statement performance, albeit against weak opposition…
There is a worrying feeling these Lions are not yet on top of their game, but the real business is yet to come.
The 'limp' win over the Waratahs raised serious questions about the tourists' readiness for a full-blooded Test series against the…
Andy Farrell has myriad conundrums to solve as the Lions near their defining moment but the captain's form is not a worry
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