Opinion
British & Irish Lions
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.
90 Articles
Latest
10 days ago British & Irish Lions
What must Andy Farrell nail before the Lions first match?
18 days ago Gallagher Premiership
Bath and Leicester should be a classic final for the ages
25 days ago Gallagher Premiership
Curtain closing on Cheika and host of senior players at Leicester
32 days ago British & Irish Lions
The Lions backrow will be crucial to Andy Farrell's chances of victory
Opinion
Retiring Care and Youngs leave worthy legacy to emerging England scrum-halves
England's new generation of No.9s will have to go some to match the class and durability of retiring duo.
Mick Cleary
16 May 2025, 22:05
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Many Lions might have opted for the safe route - not Maro Itoje'
The new British and Irish Lions captain will take his earring assuredness to the Wallabies, a distinctive multi-layered modern man…
Mick Cleary
09 May 2025, 17:12
Opinion
Series triumph but ‘vitriol’ for Gatland: 2013 Lions tour of Australia recalled
Warren Gatland forged a sense of togetherness in his 2013 Lions but faced personal 'vitriol' after leaving out a legend.
Mick Cleary
02 May 2025, 18:34
Opinion
'Waltzing O'Driscoll, the Sea of Red and the Plank': Remembering the 2001 British and Irish Lions odyssey
Marred by newspaper columns and controversy, Graham Henry's 2001 vintage still served up a fabulous Test series against the Wallab…
Mick Cleary
23 Apr 2025, 20:47
Opinion
'Not real Lions': How the 1989 British and Irish tourists put Australia on the map
After brawls, drama and excitement, an initially controversial tour cemented Australia's place on the Lions southern hemisphere ag…
Mick Cleary
18 Apr 2025, 0:11
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'There appears little prospect of change at the top in Europe. That should be a concern to all’
Europe's elite tournament needs more uncertainty rather than another shakedown towards an inevitable Leinster-Toulouse final.
Mick Cleary
10 Apr 2025, 0:06
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Can we have our Champions Cup back, please?'
A game between two three-time winners of the Champions Cup should whet the appetite of fans but Saracens' weakened side risks its …
Mick Cleary
03 Apr 2025, 18:34
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England are back among the heavyweights.'
Steve Borthwick's men were much maligned at the start of the Six Nations but their renaissance is gathering momentum
Mick Cleary
17 Mar 2025, 18:39
Opinion
'Wales v England has a special resonance and can make a mockery of what has gone before’
Wales will aim to harness the passion of their home crowd but the game will be decided by form, not historical enmity, with Englan…
Mick Cleary
13 Mar 2025, 23:48
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Maro has drawn something from England. One day, those small steps might turn into a stride.'
England are in the mix for an unlikely shot at the Six Nations Championship to prove that baby steps are turning into real signs o…
Mick Cleary
10 Mar 2025, 22:11
Opinion
Mick Cleary: Five non-negotiables England need to display against Italy
Steve Borthwick is yet again under-fire for England's brand of rugby and the visit of Italy is the time prove his doubters wrong
Mick Cleary
03 Mar 2025, 17:53
Opinion
England’s clunky chariot desperately trying to splutter into life
England may have the Calcutta Cup back but there was little jubilation after a win which raised more questions.
Mick Cleary
24 Feb 2025, 20:41
Opinion
Mick Cleary: England's five non-negotiables for Calcutta Cup glory
Bottling emotion and making steady selections are key if England are to end their drought against Scotland.
Mick Cleary
18 Feb 2025, 5:42
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'England are back in the fight, no longer the object of scorn.'
Just when hope was starting to drain from England's fans at Twickenham, Steve Borthwick's side pulled off a victory to lift the sp…
Mick Cleary
10 Feb 2025, 16:35
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'It's about time England started shaping their own narrative and got the job done.'
Steve Borthwick's men flatter to deceive as their hopes go South with a second-half implosion in Dublin and France are up next
Mick Cleary
03 Feb 2025, 16:48
Opinion
'This Ireland-England fixture is back with a tingling, resonant feel'
There is plenty on the line in both the short and medium term for Ireland and England on Saturday.
Mick Cleary
30 Jan 2025, 18:25
Opinion
Mick Cleary: Five things Steve Borthwick has to do in Girona
There is little room for error in England's preparation for the 2025 Six Nations and the pressure is on them to find an upturn in …
Mick Cleary
22 Jan 2025, 15:43
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Itoje has it within his grasp to do for England what John Eales did for Australia'
There is a changing of the guard as England captain and optimism abounds at the start of a year where Steve Borthwick must improve…
Mick Cleary
15 Jan 2025, 18:45
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Owen Farrell has been bedevilled by injury. But you write him off at your peril. He is a contender.'
The Ireland head coach will approach the Lions gig in the same indefatigable manner he has approached every role
Mick Cleary
12 Jan 2025, 20:22
Opinion
Mick Cleary: Five things English rugby must fix in 2025
Aftercare for players, the RFU's policy on overseas talent and Premiership travails are all high on the agenda for the next 12 mon…
Mick Cleary
12 Dec 2024, 16:07
