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Contributors

Sam Roberts

Broadcaster and writer Sam Roberts has been working on English Rugby for twenty years. You can hear him commentate on BT Sport, Channel 5 and around the world with DAZN. He also broadcasts for The Times, Sky Sports and the RFU. Like many good players, he has history with Bedford Blues.

33 Articles
LONG READ
Opinion

Ed Slater: Why the Rugby Inheritance Podcast brings out 'honesty, openness, triumphs and disaster'

Ed Slater's Rugby Inheritance Podcast has produced gems of stark emotion and deep reflection that go way beyond the game

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
28 Jul 2023, 4:36
Opinion

England have emerged from a toxic relationship

England’s first try was an indicator. Marcus Smith took the ball to the line and having been provided with multiple options, cho…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
05 Feb 2023, 15:34
Opinion

This weekend's Championship shocker evidence RFU must now act

What the governing body decides to do with the Championship is a far more crucial decision.

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
08 Jan 2023, 8:43
LONG READ
Exclusive

Lewis Ludlow: 'Gloucester is my home. They gave me a chance when no one else did'

The Cherry and Whites captain has a deep bond with his adopted club and he has driven a renaissance in their fortunes as they topp…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
09 Jan 2022, 3:59
LONG READ
Exclusive

Polledri sees light at end of the tunnel

Gloucester and Italy back row has had some dark days with a devastating knee injury but his positivity still shines bright

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
30 Dec 2021, 3:27
Interview

Charles Piutau set to launch rugby's first NFT

Charles Piutau has retreated outside to his garden. The family home is too busy and bustling with kids over-excited about the impe…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
19 Dec 2021, 3:29
Opinion

Marcus Smith's England is bigger than Eddie Jones and he must change

So is playing rugby for England. Not that young Marcus seems to care. As the budding maestro trundled out first onto the Twickenha…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
14 Nov 2021, 14:50
Opinion

What can rugby learn from The Hundred? Nothing...

That’s where I was going to stop this article. It would have been a salty, pithy jibe at this game of Rugby Union we so love muc…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
29 Aug 2021, 5:21
LONG READ

Fortune is smiling on Freeman

Northampton's starlet shows that youngsters shouldn't give up hope, even after getting snubbed

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
29 Jul 2021, 3:46
LONG READ

Forza farmer

From tackling Jason Leonard to rearing 'therapy donkeys', Andrea Lo Cicero's life glistens with colour.

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
17 Mar 2021, 12:01
LONG READ

The Lord's work

Politician, psephologist, Lord, referee, and chairman of the world's first gay-inclusive rugby club - meet Robert Hayward.

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
24 Feb 2021, 12:27

English rugby cannot quietly stand back and let the Championship season collapse

Ampthill, the Bedfordshire side, who recently rose through the ranks to Greene King IPA Championship status, have already thrown t…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
01 Feb 2021, 5:21
LONG READ

Taking the reins

In the wake of Danny Cipriani's departure, Lloyd Evans has emerged from the shadows

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
16 Jan 2021, 3:43
LONG READ

Old dog for the hard road

Wasps hooker Tommy Taylor has endured wildly fluctuating emotions in a tumultuous year

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
26 Nov 2020, 10:37
LONG READ

It's a knockout

Two heavyweights are ready to trade blows in a punchy Gallagher Premiership final

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
12 Oct 2020, 12:35
LONG READ

Father and son

What is it that makes the bond between a father and a son so special?

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
04 Oct 2020, 3:45

'If I'm honest, when I left, I was fed up with the club. I felt stagnant'

Jonny May speaks to me via Zoom, sat in front of a huge Gloucester Rugby badge. It adorns the wall of one of the offices at Kingsh…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
19 Jul 2020, 4:34

'The attacking brand of rugby Gloucester play is very exciting. But I get a lot of pride from the set-piece'

New Gloucester head coach George Skivington discusses the immediate challenges facing the club as he settles into his new surround…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
01 Jul 2020, 11:44

This bid for chairmanship feels like a classic Pichot manoeuvre: a quick tap

Agustin Pichot agrees the quick tap is "a perfect analogy" to his approach with the clock counting down to Sunday's casting of vot…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
22 Apr 2020, 14:56

Three, possibly four, Premiership clubs are in genuine danger of going under

In England, the balance is precarious... top-flight clubs had to act promptly in cutting staff and player salaries as the money fr…

Sam Roberts
Sam Roberts
01 Apr 2020, 4:13
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