Opinion
International Rugby
Contributors
Neil Squires
Neil Squires is the ex-rugby union correspondent for the Daily Express and has covered eight Rugby World Cups and 30 Five/Six Nations Championships. He has also written four books on the sport including the well-received but commercially catastrophic House of Lancaster, released with impeccable timing, to coincide with England's 2015 World Cup campaign.
33 Articles
Latest
13 days ago Gallagher Premiership
'New kids on the Premiership block will catch Borthwick's eye'
19 days ago Gallagher Premiership
'The Premiership's values can renew league's diminished profile'
25 days ago Gallagher Premiership
Why Northampton Saints will struggle to retain their Premiership crown
32 days ago Gallagher Premiership
Harlequins captaincy 'can help Alex Dombrandt regain England favour'
Opinion
Why England should host 'magnetic' Test series against southern hemisphere giants
Test series add something extra, and England should follow where South Africa and New Zealand lead.
Neil Squires
09 Sep 2024, 12:34
Opinion
'A 10-team Premiership sells the English game, its devotees and broadcasters short'
The top flight is competitive and watchable, but its 20th September start date feels much too late.
Neil Squires
29 Aug 2024, 7:05
Opinion
Dissenting voices mask the fact rugby fans can watch more live footage than ever
With Premier Sports strengthening their position as the home of rugby, rugby fans are voicing their dissatisfaction at added costs
Neil Squires
21 Aug 2024, 7:30
Opinion
England's next golden generation must be given opportunity to thrive
Mark Mapletoft's young bucks have tasted glory but is there now a clear pathway to Steve Borthwick's senior team?
Neil Squires
25 Jul 2024, 9:06
Opinion
'RFU would live to regret moral guardian angel Sinfield's departure'
Though no longer England defence coach, Kevin Sinfield's value to the RFU should be blindingly obvious.
Neil Squires
17 Jul 2024, 3:47
Interview
Slow-burner George Furbank catches light as England attempt to storm All Blacks stronghold
The Northampton Saints full-back has cut a dash from deep and added some much-needed width to England's attack
Neil Squires
11 Jul 2024, 17:25
Opinion
Bloodied but unbowed Dan Cole prepares for final hurrah
The adamantine Leicester Tigers tighthead knows he hasn't got long left at Test level and deserves every bit of praise coming his …
Neil Squires
03 Jul 2024, 3:01
Opinion
Johnson happy to stay in shadows but coaching absence 'a terrible waste'
The England legend was badly burned by his experience as manager but his career is missing a post-script.
Neil Squires
26 Jun 2024, 12:57
Opinion
Borthwick's Babes primed to take New Zealand by storm
With Test centurions Owen Farrell, Ben Youngs and Courtney Lawes absent, there is a youthful feel to England's touring party
Neil Squires
12 Jun 2024, 18:32
Interview
Jon Callard: 'It'll be just like the old days. Last one off to Twickenham turn the light off'
Twenty-eight years after their last Premiership title, Bath tread a path to HQ once so familiar.
Neil Squires
04 Jun 2024, 17:02
Interview
Tom Dunn: ‘Bath was a massive ship facing the wrong way.'
The piratical hooker has been at the coalface through a turbulent 12 years and wants to leave a tangible legacy.
Neil Squires
30 May 2024, 16:56
Opinion
Why Gloucester and England will miss Jonny May, the great entertainer
The popular speedster has made the most of his natural gifts and will hope to leave English rugby by lifting a cup with his belove…
Neil Squires
23 May 2024, 9:33
Interview
'Nobody wants to go the entire season without a league win' - Falcons aim to avoid equalling record
Newcastle have one match left to break their winless run or join Rotherham and London Welsh in Premiership history.
Neil Squires
14 May 2024, 3:28
Interview
Ben Youngs: 'The job description of a 9 has changed. Gibson-Park and Dupont are leading the evolution'
It is the most poorly paid position in the Gallagher Premiership but never has the influence of a scrum-half been so high
Neil Squires
09 May 2024, 3:15
Interview
Alex Mitchell: Saints 'are in a very good place at the moment'
Northampton have mirrored the England scrum-half's own rise and will travel with confidence to face Leinster in Dublin.
Neil Squires
01 May 2024, 11:17
Interview
Rugby’s forever man Mike Brown: 'I'm a driven individual'
Mike Brown may be considered past his sell-by date but he remains a Premiership force at 38.
Neil Squires
27 Apr 2024, 4:39
Opinion
'If the South Africans are in, they need to be all in'
What is the point in having South African teams in the Champions Cup if they demean it when it comes to the showpiece games?
Neil Squires
17 Apr 2024, 7:37
Opinion
'Star power of individual players can grow overall size of rugby's pie'
It is typical of rugby union, the ultimate team game, that Marcus Smith's individual brilliance is mistrusted in certain quarters
Neil Squires
10 Apr 2024, 12:23
Opinion
Are English sides underdogs at the business end of Europe?
There maybe six Premiership sides still standing as we head into the Champions Cup knockout stages, but how many will progress fur…
Neil Squires
05 Apr 2024, 4:55
Exclusive
Luke Cowan-Dickie: 'I didn’t feel right. I felt like I was going to pass out. Everything was going black in front of me'
The abrasive Sale Sharks hooker feels he owes his new club a favour when he faces his beloved Exeter Chiefs
Neil Squires
28 Mar 2024, 11:00
