Opinion
Ben Kay: The stars are starting to align for England
The England World Cup winner says that while Steve Borthwick's men are far from the finished article the confidence is coming back
Ben Kay
16 Sep 2023, 17:54
Contributors
Ben Kay
@BenKay5
Ben Kay played nearly 300 games for Leicester in the second-row and represented England on 62 occasions, winning the World Cup in 2003 and appearing in the 2007 Final. He was a tourist on the 2005 Lions tour, and since retiring he has forged a successful career as a commentator. He also runs an advertising agency, Pablo and until recently sat on the board of directors at Leicester Tigers.
Opinion
Ben Kay: 'For me, Sexton is more important to Ireland than Dupont is to France.'
With 100 days until the start of the Rugby World Cup, the countdown is on as squads are trimmed and the mind games start
Ben Kay
31 May 2023, 9:52
Opinion
Ben Kay: 'I really feel England are lacking leadership'
The countdown is on for the World Cup and Steve Borthwick doesn't have a moment to spare to turn his squad into contenders
Ben Kay
22 Mar 2023, 19:22
Opinion
Ben Kay: 'Steve doesn't have an ego, just an insane drive to be the best'
The new England coach isn't renowned for his media-friendly persona but he will adapt if he thinks it helps England's cause
Ben Kay
19 Jan 2023, 3:04
Opinion
Ben Kay: 'England are a long way off where Eddie - if he was truthful - would want them'
With three Test blocks before the World Cup, every game will bring more scrutiny for an England coach still tinkering with his bes…
Ben Kay
04 Nov 2022, 10:26
Opinion
Ben Kay: 'Eddie Jones is the Jose Mourinho of rugby'
The England World Cup winner and BT Sport pundit feels it's time for the erstwhile head coach to put the players first with the Wo…
Ben Kay
12 Jul 2022, 17:16
Opinion
Ben Kay: 'My English Premiership players of the season'
The final round of the regular season is approaching so England World Cup winner and respected pundit Ben Kay picks out the outsta…
Ben Kay
01 Jun 2022, 10:27
Analysis
Ben Kay: 'Any lesser player may have been written off by now, but not Manu'
The England World Cup winner faced Wales on six occasions but he knows Wales have the wherewithal to unsettle an England team who …
Ben Kay
23 Feb 2022, 11:43
Opinion
Ben Kay: "I'd take Ford, Farrell and Smith to the World Cup"
Eddie Jones takes plenty of flak, especially about selection, but he still has it in his gift to draw the in-form George Ford back…
Ben Kay
12 Nov 2021, 9:59
World 12s challenges the status quo
A shock new rugby format has divided fans on launch but what is the rationale behind the announcement?
Ben Kay
10 Sep 2021, 17:54
Ben Kay: This tour hasn't enhanced the Lions brand
Many will think it strange me saying this, but I thought in many ways it was a brilliant performance by the Lions. They put themse…
Ben Kay
09 Aug 2021, 7:51
Ben Kay: The squad I'd pick for the final Test
These first two Test haven’t been short on talking points but sadly not for all the right reasons because the quality of the rug…
Ben Kay
02 Aug 2021, 14:32
Ben Kay: I expect it to be spiky and extremely brutal
It’s a cliché, I know, but the first Test was the classic game of two halves. In the first half, in every key indicator showed …
Ben Kay
27 Jul 2021, 8:15
Ben Kay: Time for Gatland to roll the dice
The Stormers game was a definite drop in intensity from the South Africa A game and that won’t have been easy for the players, b…
Ben Kay
20 Jul 2021, 7:07
Ben Kay: Kicking to Kolbe might not be so daft after all
Both coaches will think they’ve got an enormous amount out of that rollocking game in Cape Town. Personally, I don’t’ think …
Ben Kay
16 Jul 2021, 7:45
Ben Kay: Gatland so much more than Warrenball
The biggest statement around the Lions and their gameplan came 7,000 miles away from Johannesburg at Twickenham when Marcus Smith …
Ben Kay
12 Jul 2021, 10:51
Ben Kay: The Lions had to go ahead
If the chaos of the run-up to the Sharks game hadn’t happened, I would have said there were a few areas of the game that might h…
Ben Kay
08 Jul 2021, 13:36
Courtney Lawes playing himself into Test contention - Ben Kay
My first message would be, let’s not get carried away. Before the game, the Sigma Lions had the worst defensive record of any of…
Ben Kay
05 Jul 2021, 3:05
