Piece from Paris on the return of Antoine Dupont, who was quietly impressive. Olivier Magne suggested beforehand that the best approach might be for Dupont to let Jalibert run the show, then to take over if/when it goes wrong. Saw a glimpse of that. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

The Substack is out, with extras from interviewing Rassie Erasmus that didn't make the Observer article on Tony Brown, his dark horse for the Six Nations, players potentially playing their final Test in 2026. Read: theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/extras-fro... Plus, Six Nations predictions.

Spent some time in Cape Town with Rassie Erasmus. We covered a lot. How he communicates with players. His improved relationship with World Rugby. England and the Pom Squad. The next wave who will be Springboks. And... fruit. Exclusive for @observeruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

A belated post for this week's Substack, picking an England team for Wales while addressing how enjoyably calm their build-up feels to the Six Nations (when others are floundering). theofffieldreview.substack.com/p/calm-and-c...

ALSO, we (@charliemorgan.bsky.social and myself) have a latest episode out of The Rugby Bunker breaking down the Six Nations squads and Scott Robertson's All Blacks exit. Creeping up to 1k subscriptions, and we'd love your help. youtu.be/jp74iWRmTKo

Sorry Bluesky, I've neglected you for so long that I need to tell you about the Substack column which drops every Monday morning (and is currently being written) which you can sign up to here: theofffieldreview.substack.com It's a nice long-read every Monday for your morning commute/coffee.

New “cooling cap” rugby study will look at whether lowering the brain’s temperature quickly after a concussion can improve recovery. (By @bencoles.bsky.social for @observeruk.bsky.social) observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Had a good chat re all things Springboks with @bencoles.bsky.social on the Rugby Bunker. Been a great year for Rassie's men, but there's still room to grow in the lead-up to 2027. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IOAy...

Farewell to two excellent old-timers. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Many thanks to all the Bath fans who wrote in for this. Enjoyed collating them together. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Hi, Bath fans. Keen to hear from you all about what it would mean to win on Saturday after so long, how long you have been following the club and who you'll be thinking about on the day. Please reply, DM or email [email protected]. Thanks!

Remember leaving the press box with @charliemorgan.bsky.social after last year’s Premiership final and saying “well, Bath will definitely win it next year”. Johann van Graan often says “dream big”. Bath right now can achieve anything they want to. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Can I see why RUNIT and Run It Straight have become so popular? Absolutely. Have I also been watching through my fingers while participants with bad technique are being knocked out? Again, absolutely. Latest for @observeruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Northampton in a Champions Cup final for the first time in 14 years, in the same stadium where they lost in 2011? Love those coincidences. Coaches have bigger things to worry about than fate, but the rest of us can hypothesise about the stars aligning. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Bravely writing about this now so we can try to avoid a summer of 'Finn Smith'. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Bravely writing about this now so we can try to avoid a summer of 'Finn Smith'. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Obviously, this isn't for @telegraphnews.bsky.social. Very grateful for the last eight years working alongside some of the best. Have a pitch or an idea? Send to [email protected]

Maro Itoje being named Lions captain isn't a shock. The only surprise is that it took this long. Piece for @observeruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

When was the last time you saw post, crossbar, post, crossbar, miss?

Have always been fascinated by Rupeni Caucaunibuca, one of rugby’s greatest talents. And yet the way his career panned out feels like a tragedy. With thanks to Wayne Pivac, Doug Howlett, Jonny Wilkinson, Colin Yukes, Yannick Nyanga, and Caucau himself. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Have always been fascinated by Rupeni Caucaunibuca, one of rugby’s greatest talents. And yet the way his career panned out feels like a tragedy. With thanks to Wayne Pivac, Doug Howlett, Jonny Wilkinson, Colin Yukes, Yannick Nyanga, and Caucau himself. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Celebrations are hot right now. We should give Tommy Freeman’s lawnmower more love. Also revisited some classics. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Celebrations are hot right now. We should give Tommy Freeman’s lawnmower more love. Also revisited some classics. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Spoke to Premiership Rugby's player of the month, Tomos Williams, about basketball, @gloucesterrugby.bsky.social's young attack coach James Lightfoot-Brown, what Wales need from their next head coach and, of course, the Lions. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

A chat with @JoeMarler. Discussed post-game TikToks - "If the girls want to express themselves, then express themselves. And if the boys want to do the same, f------ get on board with it" - and the 30-game guideline limits for England players. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

In non-parachute news, understand that Leicester have lodged a complaint to the citing commissioner over an alleged eye gouge on Dan Cole by Glasgow's Henco Venter. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

In non-parachute news, understand that Leicester have lodged a complaint to the citing commissioner over an alleged eye gouge on Dan Cole by Glasgow's Henco Venter. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Tropical here. #GLAvLEI

Ruben Love has an elite Super Rugby name and an elite passing game.

The smart money is on at least one Wales player making the Lions squad. But should Andy Farrell have to pick one to keep everybody happy? And are there any absolute certainties at this point? No. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Premiership Rugby will trial away sections at two games next month - Saracens v Gloucester on April 19 and Leicester v Harlequins on April 26. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

And that’s our last @TelegraphRugby Podcast of the Six Nations! We’ve had a blast. See you for the 🦁🦁🦁. pod.link/1196875127/e...

Sources confirming @MarkKleinmanSky's story - Newcastle Falcons set to receive a loan from rival Premiership clubs and CVC so they can meet financial criteria to stay in the league next season. Understood to be between £3-4m. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Sources confirming @MarkKleinmanSky's story - Newcastle Falcons set to receive a loan from rival Premiership clubs and CVC so they can meet financial criteria to stay in the league next season. Understood to be between £3-4m. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Ireland up against it with this fella helping over Italy's kicks at goal. #ITAvIRE

Muggy. Nice to be in Dubl… no, Rome. (First thing heard out of the taxi - “it’s like a fucking invasion.”) #ITAvIRE

Revisited the 30-3 game ahead of Wales-England with help from Haskell (talked his 50th cap song), Ken Owens, Tom Youngs, and the very good story on 'For The Love Of Rugby' about the England team taking a Welsh fan's glasses. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Proper scare that for England's U20s, who are still on for the Slam but lost the penalty count 14-5 (scrum hell). Italy were really good, great tries from Faissal and Drago ("If he dies, he dies") while Casartelli impressed. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

“It was pretty tough watching the start on TV. I was gutted for the players - they weren’t able to give their best on the pitch." Interview with Wales' Max Llewellyn - telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/... - on why Gatland left him out, Gloucester's attack and idolising Jamie Roberts.

Dupont and Gibson-Park are clearly the world's top two scrum-halves but their paths could not be more different. Dupont was always the prodigy, Gibson-Park the back-up who turned world-class at the age of 30 after Covid forced him to reassess his career. www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/2025/0...

Following the success of Exeter and Italy's Ross Vintcent, the Italian Rugby Federation now have a formal partnership with an agent in South Africa, scouting for young players with Italian heritage who could play for the Azzurri. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Strong stuff from Ben Youngs on England's attack. - Alex Mitchell for club and country like "two different people" - "Are they being given enough freedom?" - The final years under Eddie Jones: "It was boring to play in." www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Not having this suggestion that Handre Pollard has been a flop at Leicester. But, here are ten Premiership signings that certainly were. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Live TV is hard. Especially with adverts. But, despite loving the familiarity of the Six Nations on BBC and ITV every year (BBC has been better), it has started to all feel a bit stale. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Oh, and here's this week's podcast. podfollow.com/the-telegrap...

Asked to rank the best Six Nations rivalries. Number one was easy, the rest a little trickier. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Louis Bielle-Biarrey: 21 years old Théo Attissogbé: 20 Léo Barré: 22 All seems quite ominous. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Scotland here and with good beats.

Ahead of #ENGvSCO Ruaridh Jackson, who played for Gregor Townsend, believes it is time for Scotland to make a change at head coach. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Wrote about rugby podcasts before recording our own rugby podcast. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...