Opinion
Australia
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.
96 Articles
Latest
6 days ago British & Irish Lions
Mick Cleary: 'About time the Lions series lived up to its billing'
10 days ago Australia
'As things stand the Lions are flawed and need to polish up their act'
14 days ago British & Irish Lions
'Serious honesty' required for Lions after 'limp' win in Sydney
17 days ago British & Irish Lions
The England captain is proving an inspired choice as Lions skipper
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Farrell has sent out a clear message to the squad. The intensity levels need to rise.'
The Lions head coach, while pleased with a convincing victory over Western Force, has demanded much more intensity
Mick Cleary
30 Jun 2025, 5:50
Opinion
'Don’t cry for the Lions over Argentina... it should be their touchstone now'
The Lions' Dublin send-off was always going to be a distraction from the real business at hand, but now it is time to 'circle the …
Mick Cleary
23 Jun 2025, 4:05
Opinion
Mick Cleary: Five things Andy Farrell must get right this week
The coach has a set of non-negotiables to deliver as the British and Irish Lions prepare to play their first match of 2025 against…
Mick Cleary
19 Jun 2025, 0:10
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'Bath have made all the running but Leicester are not there to make up numbers.'
The neutral, looking at the form guide, would expect a comfortable Bath win but Leicester's grit and guile shouldn't be underestim…
Mick Cleary
11 Jun 2025, 7:46
Opinion
‘This may be the end of an era at Leicester but the future looks bright’
Michael Cheika and a host of senior pros are leaving Leicester, but substantial foundations are in place for their successors.
Mick Cleary
04 Jun 2025, 2:08
Opinion
Mick Cleary: 'There will be a battle royale for all the shirts over the coming weeks'
The back-row balance will be key to the Lions overpowering and outwitting the Wallabies and the scrap for a starting shirt will be…
Mick Cleary
28 May 2025, 3:38
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, 7:05
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, 2:12
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, 3:34
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, 5:47
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
17 Apr 2025, 9:11
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
09 Apr 2025, 9:06
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, 3:34
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, 3:39
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, 8:48
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, 7:11
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, 1:53
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, 4:41
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
17 Feb 2025, 13:42
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, 0:35
