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Contributors

Neil Squires

Neil Squires is the ex-rugby union correspondent for the Daily Express and has covered eight Rugby World Cups and 30 Five/Six Nations Championships. He has also written four books on the sport including the well-received but commercially catastrophic House of Lancaster, released with impeccable timing, to coincide with England's 2015 World Cup campaign.

80 Articles
LONG READ
Opinion

How England's new coaches are giving Steve Borthwick food for thought

The fingerprints of Byron McGuigan and Lee Blackett were all over England's exceptional first Test victory in Argentina.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
10 Jul 2025, 7:01
LONG READ
Exclusive

Armed guards, flags set alight and a fusillade of oranges - England's 1990 tour of Argentina remembered

The first tour by an English team since the Falklands War made for a politically charged and highly volatile backdrop to the infam…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
02 Jul 2025, 23:23
LONG READ
Opinion

Come in number 55…where to next for England’s revolving-door midfield?

More upheaval in midfield means England will field a 55th different centre combination in 15 years against Argentina next week.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
26 Jun 2025, 2:26
LONG READ
Exclusive

Why it's Guy Pepper's time to come of age on England's summer voyage

The Bath treble winner excelled en route to the Premiership trophy, and former world champion Neil Back believes he can play a sta…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
19 Jun 2025, 0:10
LONG READ
Opinion

RugbyPass names the greatest Lions squad of the professional era

From the heroes of the 1997 series win to the last, Covid-affected, tour of South Africa in 2021, which players make our Lions XV?…

Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones
Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones
18 Jun 2025, 23:34
LONG READ
Opinion

Leicester's modern day greats look to cement their legacy knowing sport rarely does fairytale endings

Ben Youngs and Dan Cole would dearly love to end their Tigers careers being hoisted on the shoulders of celebrating team-mates

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
12 Jun 2025, 7:37
LONG READ
Exclusive

Alfie Barbeary: 'When I was younger I was painful, I'd have hated to coach me'

With his mop of curls and barnstorming carries, the number eight has emerged as a central figure in Bath's treble bid.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
04 Jun 2025, 5:15
LONG READ
Opinion

'Owen Farrell's season may have been a disaster but it has not diminished interest around him'

Having been across the Channel for almost a year, the one-time England talisman still commands major prestige.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
28 May 2025, 6:10
LONG READ
Opinion

Why Steve Diamond should be in the running for Premiership DoR of the year

Other coaches have endured headache, but amid slashed budgets, talent drain and a club for sale, Diamond's season has been an endl…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
22 May 2025, 4:30
LONG READ
Opinion

'Steve Borthwick must not get carried away with a new broom in Argentina'

The England coach should look to blend seasoned internationals with raw talent as he prepares for a Lion-less voyage to South Amer…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
14 May 2025, 6:01
LONG READ
Opinion

What can we expect from Farrell's Lions squad? The key questions answered

Will it be 'Irish Lions'? Did European semis force a change? Will there be surprises? Who is indispensable?

Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires
Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires
06 May 2025, 12:34
LONG READ
Opinion

'Bath should be planning their open-top bus parade'

English football has it right - a straight league system remains the purest way of deciding worthy champions.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
30 Apr 2025, 1:38
LONG READ
Opinion

'Youngs has chosen to turn down Racing 92 and offers from Japan meaning Leicester will be both his beginning and his end.'

The Leicester, England and Lions scrum-half has decided to call it a day while still at the top of his game.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
22 Apr 2025, 5:38
LONG READ
Opinion

Leicester Tigers must rid themselves of their constant coaching instability

Michael Cheika's replacement must bring much-needed continuity to a club which gives the impression of making it up as it goes alo…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
16 Apr 2025, 4:49
LONG READ
Opinion

Despite the Croke Park horror show, Marcus Smith shouldn't be discounted from Lions conversation

Chris Robshaw believes the superstar England fly-half shouldn't be discarded on the whim of a Dublin shellacking

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
10 Apr 2025, 5:50
LONG READ
Analysis

How the Gallagher Premiership has become rugby's go-to league for thrill seekers

Once a stodge-a-thon, the English top fight now serves up a deluge of tries, ambition and attacking flair.

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
02 Apr 2025, 8:01
LONG READ
Interview

Chris Ashton: 'There's a lot of firepower out there but wings are not the highest-paid group. I wouldn’t have stood for it.'

The wide men score the tries but are not always the most appreciated members of the team according to the former England wing

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
26 Mar 2025, 4:46
LONG READ
Opinion

Six Nations 2025: What's good and what's bad from this year's tournament

From stricken heroes to magnificent tries and everything in between, RugbyPass profiles the best and worst of this year's champion…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
18 Mar 2025, 8:04
LONG READ
Opinion

Ben Curry is mounting a case to be the Lions Test super-sub

England's back-row 'finisher' has shone off the bench throughout the Six Nations, and may just have compelled Andy Farrell to take…

Neil Squires
Neil Squires
12 Mar 2025, 6:27
LONG READ
Opinion

25 Six Nations Memorable Moments: 5 to 1

Wales' late, late show, Sexton's drop-goal, Russell's pass, Super Saturday 2015 and Wales' first Slam since 70s, but which is No.1…

Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones   Pat McCarry
Bryn Palmer   Jamie Lyall   Neil Squires   Owain Jones   Pat McCarry
07 Mar 2025, 4:41