Opinion
Six Nations
Mick Cleary: 'Two more England losses and the vultures will be licking their lips.'
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Contributors
Mick Cleary
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.
117 Articles
Latest
Six Nations
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England are confident as they kick off the Six Nations against Wales
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Gallagher Premiership
Mark McCall is owed a debt by not just Saracens but England
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34 days ago
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England need to set a target. They need to win the 2026 Six Nations Championship.'
Steve Borthwick is riding the crest of a wave but the next six months will tell us if England are really ready to be World Cup con…
Mick Cleary
22 Jan 2026, 5:03
5
Opinion
Mick Cleary: Five reasons for Steve Borthwick to be cheerful
The England head coach is approaching the 2026 Six Nations in a position of strength as he builds towards the World Cup next year
Mick Cleary
08 Jan 2026, 3:53
15
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'We should applaud to the rafters the news that rugby on ITV is back with a bang.'
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…
Mick Cleary
11 Dec 2025, 6:08
6
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Appetites for adventures Down Under have been well and truly whetted'
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…
Mick Cleary
03 Dec 2025, 6:30
1
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England are aiming high and have every reason to do so.'
Steve Borthwick deserves credit for turning England from plucky losers to triumphant victors in a stunning 12 month period
Mick Cleary
24 Nov 2025, 13:08
6
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'If only South Africa had been on the fixture list. Then we really would know where this England stand.'
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
Mick Cleary
17 Nov 2025, 5:53
48
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'It’s time for England to take aim.'
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…
Mick Cleary
10 Nov 2025, 2:44
8
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Pollock may have got the headlines, but Pepper should get plenty of kudos himself.'
Steve Borthwick has engineered an eight-game winning run leaving England fans bullish brighter times lie ahead
Mick Cleary
03 Nov 2025, 4:21
1
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England must win blue-riband autumn matches, but there are deeper matters at play'
Can Steve Borthwick's England makeover, throwing off that boring, one-eyed, one-dimensional persona, continue?
Mick Cleary
30 Oct 2025, 2:13
58
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England have little chance of winning the World Cup unless they do one key thing – sort out their midfield.'
The days of Tindall and Greenwood are long gone but England would be emboldened if they could find the perfect marriage in midfiel…
Mick Cleary
22 Oct 2025, 6:18
13
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Ford still has the legs and lungs. And he certainly has the game. Pick him.'
Steve Borthwick is in a position of strength with England but he must not let clear momentum be stopped in its tracks this Autumn
Mick Cleary
16 Oct 2025, 9:33
15
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'It’s time to repay Lewis Moody with our enduring love and support.'
The heartbreaking news of Lewis Moody's MND diagnosis has shocked the rugby world and he has been inundated with support
Mick Cleary
07 Oct 2025, 6:53
2
Opinion
‘PREM has a fabulous chance to tap into upbeat mood music from Red Roses’ triumph’
England's women won hearts and minds from day one and the men need to be similarly expressive on and off the field.
Mick Cleary
01 Oct 2025, 9:31
6
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'The newly-branded PREM will have to be at its knuckle-duster aggressive best in the fight to make a mark.'
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…
Mick Cleary
23 Sep 2025, 8:43
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'These blokes have done the jersey proud, with their buy-in and with their relish.'
Andy Farrell will have been frustrated by the Sydney loss but in time can look back on a successful Lions Series in Australia
Mick Cleary
04 Aug 2025, 1:44
25
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'The MCG gave us the occasion we craved. It gave us memories. And that is priceless.'
The British & Irish Lions staged a magnificent 18-point comeback to break Wallaby hearts and win the Series
Mick Cleary
28 Jul 2025, 1:21
7
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'The soul was not lit up by underwhelming Lions first Test'
Lions series ought to be full of grandeur, heroic and uplifting for both sides, yet Saturday's Brisbane opener was anything but.
Mick Cleary
21 Jul 2025, 2:29
9
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Why the Lions have no excuses and Owen Farrell should be in the first Test 23'
Farell jnr proved his class and composure for a Lions team which delivered a statement performance, albeit against weak opposition…
Mick Cleary
14 Jul 2025, 6:01
21
Opinion
‘As things stand, the Lions are a flawed entity. They need to polish up their act’
There is a worrying feeling these Lions are not yet on top of their game, but the real business is yet to come.
Mick Cleary
10 Jul 2025, 4:19
4
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'The Lions need some serious honesty about what's required to win a Test match'
The 'limp' win over the Waratahs raised serious questions about the tourists' readiness for a full-blooded Test series against the…
Mick Cleary
07 Jul 2025, 2:35
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