Opinion
Nations Championship
Five pointers as England aim to maintain psychological ‘stranglehold’ over Pumas
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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.
127 Articles
Latest
Nations Championship
Jamie George knows he has to maintain standards until the World Cup
10
23 days ago
International Rugby
Springboks clash 'not a free hit' for England despite low expectations
32
29 days ago
Gallagher Premiership
Five key issues to emerge from England's Nations Championship squad
22
37 days ago
Gallagher Premiership
Christ Tshiunza: 'Leaving Exeter was a very, very hard decision'
2
42 days ago
Interview
Northampton ‘late bloomer’ Tom Litchfield: ‘When we're on it, we just carve teams up’
He may be the only non-England international in Saints' backline but a semi-final clash with Leicester gives the centre a chance t…
Neil Squires
09 Jun 2026, 6:43
Interview
Nicky Smith: 'I wouldn’t be surprised if Tigers are in this position for years to come'
Despite making a "very, very tough" decision to leave, the departing Wales prop believes Leicester are well set for chasing silver…
Neil Squires
04 Jun 2026, 6:58
1
Opinion
‘Absence of England selection clarity makes it a guessing game who will face Springboks’
Injuries and a state of flux means England's backline to face South Africa in July could look very different from that which start…
Neil Squires
28 May 2026, 0:44
4
Opinion
Cullen’s bunker mindset may be double-edged sword as Leinster try to become ‘supermen for a day’
Will the Leinster boss's attack on the media give his side a rallying point as they seek to avoid more final woe against Bordeaux?
Neil Squires
20 May 2026, 0:39
27
Opinion
‘Too good for Champ, locked out of Prem, Ealing stuck between rock and hard place’
Unable to win promotion to the Prem because of their ground capacity, could Ealing find a trail to the URC instead?
Neil Squires
13 May 2026, 4:50
2
Opinion
‘Sarries may be outsiders in Prem play-off race but it would be unwise to write them off’
Saracens may be seven points off fourth place with four games left, but their form and experience could yet take the race down to …
Neil Squires
07 May 2026, 4:28
2
Opinion
‘It is inevitable that new owners will bring new ideas that English rugby may not be comfortable with’
Exeter members must decide whether to accept an American buyout but there may be unease over where selling might lead them.
Neil Squires
29 Apr 2026, 7:03
Opinion
Return of 'car-crusher' Martin gives England a unique weapon
George Martin has spent 14 months waiting for shoulder nerves to heal while England have missed his thunderous power game.
Neil Squires
22 Apr 2026, 0:22
27
Opinion
Could England try to trigger Jack Willis break clause in Toulouse deal in time for RWC?
The Toulouse flanker's Herculean display against Bordeaux was another signal to Steve Borthwick, but hurdles remain on both sides.
Neil Squires
14 Apr 2026, 4:26
26
Exclusive
Tom Curry: 'If I'm ready and allowed, I want to play for England'
The Sale flanker discusses gardening, selfishness, frustration and why he wants to play Test rugby this summer.
Neil Squires
09 Apr 2026, 1:54
7
Interview
‘It's a pressurised job. International rugby has higher scrutiny but club coaching is relentless’
Geoff Parling shoving TV presenter Craig Doyle off the pitch conveyed the pressure and exposure club coaches are under.
Neil Squires
01 Apr 2026, 4:46
7
Opinion
'Setting a sky-high entry cost to the Prem is not going to help with the expansion process'
Clubs wanting to join England's top tier will now need 'tens of millions' just to buy a share after promotion and relegation was d…
Neil Squires
25 Mar 2026, 10:00
8
Opinion
Should England stick or twist with Borthwick? RWC27 clock cannot be used as an excuse
The idea the coach must be given the rest of the four-year cycle because he has been in place for most of it is fanciful.
Neil Squires
19 Mar 2026, 6:21
91
Interview
Six Nations Super Saturday makes for ‘a gluttonous orgy of bog-eyed consumption’
The driving force behind the Championship finale recalls the sceptics and scheduling issues behind the 'triple bill' concept.
Neil Squires
11 Mar 2026, 10:31
36
Interview
‘You never want to be that first England team that loses to Italy’
England are 'on a hiding to nothing' in Rome but this week's trip brings genuine unease for red rose supporters.
Neil Squires
03 Mar 2026, 5:18
6
Exclusive
'Is this my fault?' - How Borthwick's shepherd's crook might affect vanquished England stars
Luther Burrell reflects on the "brutal" nature of first-half subs having suffered the same grim fate as Luke Cowan-Dickie and Fred…
Neil Squires
25 Feb 2026, 1:18
7
Opinion
Ahead of his return to Twickenham, Andy Farrell is approaching a contract crossroads
As he approaches a decade working with the Ireland, tasting remarkable success, the decorated coach's next move is an intriguing d…
Neil Squires
18 Feb 2026, 9:28
12
Opinion
Freddie Steward and Fraser Dingwall are quietly becoming crucial for England
Wales thrashing comes with its caveats but the centre and full-back are making real strides in an England shirt
Neil Squires
11 Feb 2026, 8:19
2
Opinion
Can Wales win a match and will Borthwick smile? Ten key Six Nations questions
As the great jamboree looms into view, RugbyPass tackles the big issues facing this year's edition.
Neil Squires
03 Feb 2026, 3:01
6
Interview
'In the quest for cohesion, going with players from a specific club can be a useful shortcut'
Steve Borthwick may pick as many as eight Northampton players in his 23 to face Wales in their Six Nations opener.
Neil Squires
28 Jan 2026, 3:27
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