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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.

93 Articles
LONG READ
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Paul Brown-Bampoe: Exeter's box-office banker turned try machine

The flying wing was not considering a career in rugby two years ago, but has surged to the forefront of this new-look Chiefs side.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
30 Sep 2025, 11:34
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Ben Youngs: 'I’m super-proud to have been a one-club man but I don’t look back and wish I was still playing.'

As the new PREM season is about to get underway, the England record-cap holder is getting used to life as a former player...

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
24 Sep 2025, 4:15
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Interview

‘You don't want to become stagnant' - England hybrid Hill’s back-up plan for Bath

Ted Hill aims to help Bath back up their trophy-laden last season - and prove his value to England's cause.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
17 Sep 2025, 5:01
LONG READ
Opinion

Why English rugby needs Christian Wade and his Mission 102

For too long, rugby has stifled individuality, and the prolific wing's quest to break the league try record will be eye-catching w…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
10 Sep 2025, 8:42
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Opinion

'Things are still too quiet' - English rugby needs a transfer window

The English game is still fighting for eyeballs - introducing a football-style transfer window would add some much-needed spice.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
02 Sep 2025, 7:09
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Opinion

Tour fortunes of English Lions blur selection picture for Borthwick

England supplied 10 Test Lions but strong displays by other players in Argentina gave Steve Borthwick food for thought.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
06 Aug 2025, 5:38
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Opinion

‘Lions tours are wonderfully uplifting but the trail of hard luck stories is long and painful'

Those part of the triumph are etched into history; the ones who might have been are quickly washed away.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
30 Jul 2025, 10:31
LONG READ
Interview

‘USA have a way to go to fulfil Moonshot mission but 2031 RWC will be a success’

The Eagles may be shooting for the stars on the field but will put on a 'huge show' when they host the RWC.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
24 Jul 2025, 2:05
LONG READ
Opinion

Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 10-6

Bentley's belter, Dawson's dummy and North's fireman's lift on Folau feature in the latest of our iconic Lions moments.

Bryn Palmer   Neil Squires
Bryn Palmer   Neil Squires
17 Jul 2025, 2:28
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Opinion

Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 15-11

Gibbs tramples The Ox, Warburton sweet-talks the ref and a selection bombshell feature in the latest of our 25 iconic Lions moment…

Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones   Pat McCarry
Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones   Pat McCarry
16 Jul 2025, 3:00
LONG READ
Opinion

Joe Heyes' coming of age has wiped out a key England weakness

The Leicester prop has charted a slow rise to international recognition, but his excellent displays in Argentina have assuaged any…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
15 Jul 2025, 5:47
LONG READ
Opinion

Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 20-16

Faletau's finish, the last address of the 'Lion King' and Cuthbert's cracker feature in the latest of our 25 iconic Lions moments.

Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones
Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones
15 Jul 2025, 1:00
LONG READ
Opinion

Iconic Lions moments of the professional era: 25-21

Monye's dash to redemption, Weir's 'mistaken identity' and Kearney's cracker feature in the first five of our iconic Lions moment…

Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones
Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones
14 Jul 2025, 3:00
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Opinion

How England's new coaches are giving Steve Borthwick food for thought

The fingerprints of Byron McGuigan and Lee Blackett were all over England's exceptional first Test victory in Argentina.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
10 Jul 2025, 9:01
LONG READ
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Armed guards, flags set alight and a fusillade of oranges - England's 1990 tour of Argentina remembered

The first tour by an English team since the Falklands War made for a politically charged and highly volatile backdrop to the infam…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
03 Jul 2025, 1:23
LONG READ
Opinion

Come in number 55…where to next for England’s revolving-door midfield?

More upheaval in midfield means England will field a 55th different centre combination in 15 years against Argentina next week.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
26 Jun 2025, 4:26
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Why it's Guy Pepper's time to come of age on England's summer voyage

The Bath treble winner excelled en route to the Premiership trophy, and former world champion Neil Back believes he can play a sta…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
19 Jun 2025, 2:10
LONG READ
Opinion

RugbyPass names the greatest Lions squad of the professional era

From the heroes of the 1997 series win to the last, Covid-affected, tour of South Africa in 2021, which players make our Lions XV?…

Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones
Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones
19 Jun 2025, 1:34
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Opinion

Leicester's modern day greats look to cement their legacy knowing sport rarely does fairytale endings

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole would dearly love to end their Tigers careers being hoisted on the shoulders of celebrating team-mates

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
12 Jun 2025, 9:37
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Alfie Barbeary: 'When I was younger I was painful, I'd have hated to coach me'

With his mop of curls and barnstorming carries, the number eight has emerged as a central figure in Bath's treble bid.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
04 Jun 2025, 7:15
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