Nik Simon
@Nik_Simon88
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Rugby Correspondent for the Mail on Sunday
London/Loughborough
Joined December 2011
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In the chaos of Typhoon Hagibis, spare a thought for Italy. Ghiraldini was set for a 20min farewell cameo against NZ in the final rugby match of his 15yr career. He spent months rehabbing and broke down in tears when news of cancellation broke in training. Sombre mood in Toyota.
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Fiji players still bringing the party despite the defeat. What a team 🇫🇯🏝️
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‘I used to sit in the clubhouse with my chips and sausage & people looked at my like “Who the f*** is this?” It breaks me. I’ve got mates on scaffolding sites who are quicker than Jonny May.’
Powerful
@EllisGenge
on how class prejudice is crippling rugby
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Simon Zebo has agreed to return to Munster this summer, meaning he could force his way back into Ireland’s 2023 World Cup plans. Deal likely to be announced this week. Exclusive story on
@MailSport
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Kyle Sinckler has been called up by the Lions for the tour of South Africa. Warren Gatland contacted him this morning following an injury to Andrew Porter. Exclusive story on
@MailSport
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No sugar coating here from
@mikebrown_15
. This is his side of the story about how his 17-year Quins career ended in a grim four-minute meeting. ‘I never wanted to leave. I sat in my car and cried. I’m not sure how much loyalty there is in the game.’
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I had a lump in my throat doing this interview. It’s raw, uncomfortable and I have total admiration of Rob Howley for doing it. On the emotional turmoil behind his betting: ‘I’d driven my sister to her grave’. He’s finally at peace & will be better for it
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Brave and powerful words from Luther Burrell. He shares his experiences of racism in rugby changing rooms, witnessing jokes about slave shackles and bananas. I was shocked to hear his stories. Hopefully this exposes uncomfortable truths and empowers change
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‘I was 18 when I first kissed a guy. I waited for the rugby season to end before I came out because I was worried how people would react. It was grand’.
Interview with Exeter-bound Jack Dunne, who wants to normalise rugby’s conversations around sexuality
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I’ve done a few wild interviews but this topped the lot.
A 24-hour riot through Galway with Mack Hansen.
Drank our bodyweight in Guinness, almost drowned in the Atlantic & got Andy Farrell’s face tattooed on his leg.
@KevinQuigley_DM
still recovering!
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Danny Care is in contention to make a shock England comeback this week after almost four years since his last Test appearance. Squad being confirmed later today. Exclusive story coming on
@MailSport
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Ronan O’Gara and Scott Robertson to join forces to coach the Barbarians against an All Blacks XV in November. Exciting combination between Champions Cup and Super Rugby winners. Exclusive story on
@MailSport
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Ben Youngs has withdrawn from this summer’s Lions tour to spend time with his family. Third child on the way. Throws open the competition for the No9 spot. Exclusive interview coming on
@MailSport
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Channel 4 are in advanced talks to broadcast the Lions opening game against Japan. Would be the first live Lions match on free-to-air TV since 1993. Good news. Exclusive story on
@MailSport
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Thanks to Joe Marler for sharing his battles with mental health. He discussed his darkest thoughts about ending it all, the fake macho cover up, life on anti-depressants... and had me in stitches throughout. I hope his words help someone. A powerful story
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For five years, Martin Castrogiovanni refused to watch or talk about rugby. He’s been to Vegas with Zlatan Ibrahimovic, toured the world in a campervan and been mistaken by police for a drug trafficker. Now he’s back. Loved hearing his story for
@MailSport
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Marooned in same hotel as Japan in Yokohama Bay. They are up on the 70th floor watching Ireland v Samoa in the team room. Building creaking & swaying in the wind as Typhoon approaches but fully stocked up on Pringles...
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Siya Kolisi singing as he carries the World Cup into the press conference here in Paris. Could hear him 30 seconds before he arrived!
#rwc
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Hostile reception for England at Murrayfield. Eddie Jones’ right-hand man Neil Craig hit on the head by a plastic beer bottle thrown from the upper gantry...
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Spent a few hours with Kyle Eastmond reflecting on his career. He discussed George Ford, rugby’s institutionalism & whether he achieved all he wanted. ‘Where I grew up, drug addicts, guns & violence were all around… I don't need 100 caps to be a success’
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Vaea Vaea grew up on a tiny island of 120 people, played rugby with a coconut and could not afford to eat breakfast. Now 20, he’s playing for Tonga and sending all of his money home to care for his sick dad. A courageous story told to
@MailSport
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Feels like the clocks have been turned back a couple of years in Toulon. The sort of reception they saved for Jonny Wilkinson in the glory days...
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The rise and rise of Semi Radradra. From earning $2 an hour to risk his life in the gold mines, playing rugby with a coconut, to becoming the Premiership’s hottest new ticket at
@BristolBears
. Exclusive interview + a glowing reference from
@nemani_nadolo
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Enjoyed the player profiles in Japan’s media guide for this month’s game against the Lions.
Keita Inagaki: ‘The man who does not laugh’.
Wimpie van der Walt: ‘Good looking guy with a gorgeous smile’.
Tevita Tatafu: ‘Vulnerable to weight gain’.
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Eddie Jones on whether Portugal can beat Fiji next week to keep Australia in the World Cup: 'I’m thinking of giving Marika [Koroibete] and Samu [Kerevi] my credit card and getting them to go to the Fijian camp with some kava.'
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Chris Harris on his unlikely rise from Northumbria University’s 3rd XV to the British Lions: ‘I played in the centres with a bloke whose nickname was “No Gas”. I made a decent break in the first game so they called me “Some Gas”!’ Interview on
@MailSport
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Was lucky enough to interview John Dawes before the 2017 Lions tour, in his local pub, with JPR Williams, John Bevan, Barry John and Gareth Edwards. Table was reserved for ‘the rugby lads’ and after a few he led a rendition of Sloop John B by the Beach Boys. Great company. RIP 🏴
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🏴 DAN BIGGAR ANNOUNCEMENT 🏴
The Wales No10 is retiring from international rugby after the World Cup and he explains why exclusively in his Mail on Sunday column.
Keep an eye on the
@MailSport
channels for some heartfelt words from a legend of the sport.
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The BBC Director General has sanctioned an increased bid to keep the Six Nations on terrestrial TV. He says it is ‘utterly critical’ that the competition does not move behind a paywall. Bidding deadline is Monday. Exclusive on
@MailSport
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Last season, Dan Frost was the doorman in charge of track and trace at Jack Nowell’s pub in Cornwall. And did the odd shift as a tarmacker.
Now he’s Wasps’ leading try scorer but he fears ringfencing will send other Championship players down a black hole.
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‘People think I’m a monster. After that video leaked out I cried in my room.’ Rassie Erasmus breaks silence on last summer’s Lions series. Untold stories of resignation talks, threats to call off the tour and his conversations - or lack of - with Gatland
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Exclusive interview with Tom Curry about the racism row that stained the World Cup.
He’s not a guy who courts headlines but he wanted to say his bit so he can park it and move on. ‘I heard what I heard. There’s no misunderstanding on my part.’
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Silly season for rugby transfers. Ellis Genge move to Bristol set to be announced imminently, Jonny Hill to Sale likely to be announced next week…
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Youngs was among 50+ players sent a save-the-date email by Gatland. So far, he’s the only one to reply opting out. When he heard we were running a story, he asked to explain his decision. Respect. Plenty of debate - would love to see D Care - but no need for dullard comments.
Ben Youngs has withdrawn from this summer’s Lions tour to spend time with his family. Third child on the way. Throws open the competition for the No9 spot. Exclusive interview coming on
@MailSport
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Loved meeting Gloucester’s mad Russian prop Kirill Gotovstev.
Wrestling in -58C, run ins with bears, bobsleigh and being recruited for rugby on a stag do.
‘Do you like soup? You have never ate soup! UK soup is not soup! It’s just smashed vegetables!’
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Just been for breakfast with a former England player. Even the waiter came over and said: ‘Owen Farrell let off… WTF?’ The damage this incident has caused to the sport’s reputation feels massive.
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Sat in the Compton Stand where an old man in his 60/70s had to be taken out on a stretcher during the super over of
#CWC19Final
. He got the paramedics to stop at the bottom of the steps so he could see the last couple of balls. Swift recovery to that man 🙏🏼
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Urge all rugby administrators to read this with Dylan Hartley in Dubai.
'I get dizzy and drop things but I can't spend all my time thinking I’ve got dementia. I won’t fire a few shots and disappear into the desert. Lets find solutions so rugby can thrive'
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Tried to make statistical sense of England’s games under Borthwick.
Some pretty dire reading when ranked against the 10 tier one nations.
Points per 22 entry: 10th
Ruck speed: 8th
Kick metres: 1st
Line breaks: 10th
Handling errors: 10th
Turnovers lost: 10th
Metres made: 8th
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Touched down in Australia for three weeks on tour with
@EnglandRugby
and
@Wallabies
. First stop: Perth📍
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Denny Solomona read last week’s Marler interview and wanted to share his own story. It cuts to the bone, but speaking out to raise awareness is true leadership. ‘I’m not proud of sniffing coke but I want people to realise you don’t have to go through that’
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Had a blast doing this interview with
@AndyTCarroll
in France. What a life he’s lived. Loved hearing his stories - good and bad - about life as a Premier League footballer. Private jets, exotic cats, Rolling Stones… he’s seen it all and he’s a lovely guy
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Exclusive: Beauden Barrett has agreed a two-year move to Japan. He will join Suntory in December on a deal worth around NZ$1.5m per season. Most clubs have already completed their business - leaving little room for Manu Tuilagi. More on
@MailSport
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Left in the summer, returned when they’re selling Christmas jumpers at St Pancras. Thanks to these guys and more for their friendship and camaraderie on the road. France 2023, over and out! 🇫🇷
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Big breaking news: Premiership’s grandstand finale thrown into doubt after Sale return a significant number of positive COVID tests. Match could now be forfeited. PRL scrambling to find a solution. Exclusive on
@MailSport
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Powerful words from Paolo Odogwu as he discusses a new life in Paris, his World Cup hopes and doubles down on
@lutherburrell
’s experiences of racism in rugby: ‘A guy walked into the gym and said, “What the f**k is this N-word music, bro?” I was fuming.’
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There’s a softer side to Courtney Lawes. I visited him at his home, where his kids keep chickens and sell the eggs outside the front door, to speak about the Lions and his work with a social justice think tank
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Interview with Chris Boyd and Bryan Habana (his horse) about coaching philosophies. What he learnt from three days with Money Ball star Billy Beane. How he adapted a training session from Cirque du Soleil. And why Dan Biggar ended up in a wheelie bin
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Steve Diamond got in touch this week with a few things to get off his chest. ‘The good thing now is I don’t have to worry about fines or bans for saying what I think.’ Big interview in
@MailSport
including his views on why ring-fencing would be a disaster
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Wallabies and All Blacks in talks to form an joint ANZAC team to take on the British & Irish Lions in 2025. Exclusive story on
@MailSport
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England’s coaching team after the World Cup will not include Shaun Edwards. He’s signed a new contract with France through to 2027. He reveals and explains his decision in his
@MailSport
column
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Interesting take from
@mikebrown_15
on how England can get the best of Marcus Smith - and avoid a repeat of the Farrell/Cipriani power struggle.
And Philippe Saint-Andre reveals that George Ford is on Montpellier’s radar following his autumn omission.
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How? Why? What if? Gerbrandt Grobler reveals all about his two-year drugs ban: losing friends, an addiction to painkillers, sleeping in a truck in the Kruger Park and seizing his second chance at Gloucester. The most honest rugby player I have ever met.
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Part 2 of the Rassie Erasmus interview.
‘I would love to see South Africa in the Six Nations.’
‘We might relapse back to playing attractive running rugby and drop to sixth 🤭’
‘English people might not want me but I’d love to coach Genge. He’s a dog.’
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Delighted to win this. It says something about the character of my colleagues when the first person to call to say ‘congratulations’ on Stephen Jones Cup victory is
@stephenjones9
himself
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What would Joe Marler do if he were in charge of World Rugby? An interesting five-point manifesto here…
‘The first thing I’d do is install Rassie as my right-hand man and the second thing I’d do is install Pichot as left-hand man. The Tripod of Terror!’
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Lionel Messi has just arrived at the Parc de Princes escorted by dozens of police bikes. Roads closed and thousands of fans waiting outside the ground. Feels like a state occasion.
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Best away trip for a long time. What a show
@CornishPirates1
- and marvellous lockdown hospitality at Jack Nowell’s
@InnNewlyn
with rattlers
@SunJonnyFordham
@stephenjones9
@GavinMairs
. A sobering day for Sarries but a game to make ring-fencers think again
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Spoke to Jack Willis about landing on his feet. Wants to play for England but salary cap squeeze could mean he stays in Toulouse.
Classic Eddie line on Wasps: ‘He said in a meeting: If you’ve got any spare change lads chuck it in the hat on the way out!’
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Steve Borthwick’s first media session of the summer. He’s just announced that Owen Farrell will be captain for the World Cup, with Ellis Genge and Courtney Lawes as VCs
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Update: Sale confident they can pull together a matchday 23 - despite initially returning 16 positive tests. Understand they are trying to register retired 38-year-old Sam Tuitupou to provide cover
Big breaking news: Premiership’s grandstand finale thrown into doubt after Sale return a significant number of positive COVID tests. Match could now be forfeited. PRL scrambling to find a solution. Exclusive on
@MailSport
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It was chilling to see the ‘call failed’ screen flash up as Malakai Fekitoa tried to phone his family back in Tonga. He last heard from from his mum almost two weeks ago, before the tsunami, when she was making school clothes for his nephews. Read, donate.
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‘I flew out in March with some hand luggage - three pairs of pants - and haven’t left since.’ The wild lockdown life of Grebrandt Grobler. Three meerkats for company, 40 miles from the shops, escaping leopards and chasing off armed poachers with a pistol
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Strong opinions here from Billy Vunipola. Feels English rugby is being painted as panto villains in the global game - and asks what the All Blacks have done to help the Pacific Islands?
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Tracked down in Samoa: the witchdoctors who helped rebuild Manu Tuilagi | ‘He was being followed by three lady spirits. A Hawaiian girl. They like good looking, talented people. I put out a protection for him.’
#SixNations2019
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The great rugby shake up? 45 pages of leaked Prem Rugby board minutes outline CVC’s plans for future. Threats to break away from the RFU. £300m Sky deal? More trips to US & China?
Ecclestone: ‘If you tart the guys up, rugby would be better than the NFL’
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Looks like Farrell at 10 and Smith at 15 for England’s World Cup quarter-final against Fiji. Exclusive
@MailSport
story with
@FoyChris
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Breaking: Paul Gustard has left Harlequins with immediate effect after two wins from eight games this season. Exclusive on
@MailSport
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Exclusive: Amazon Prime have held talks about buying the broadcast rights for this autumn’s Eight Nations tournament. A move that would take rugby away from traditional TV platforms for the first time
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Luther Burrell lifts the lid about his ill-fated year in rugby league in
@MailSport
. He’s terminated his Warrington contract and wants a return to union. ‘I’m in the shape of my life and I’m on the open market. Union is my love and will always be my love.’
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Paddy Power have already taken down their billboards trolling Eddie Jones. England’s underdogs bit back. Seven pages on a breathless night from
@OllieHolt22
@CliveWoodward
@JoeMarler
@MailSport
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Bill Beaumont wins World Rugby election against Agustin Pichot by 28 votes to 23. Two final swing voters, Africa and Japan, both back BB
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Castro is barking mad. Rendition of 'who let the dogs out' with Sergio Parisse
#SixNations
http://t.co/N0DJ8cmOFn
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A raw and emotional conversation with Stuart Hogg on retirement for
@MailSport
.
His battles with anxiety, and reflections on the early days when JK Rowling compared him to a wizard.
‘If I could switch back to that mindset now then I would play forever.'
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Interview with Leicester’s cult hero
@FreddieBurns
in the Mail on Sunday.
‘People used to talk about Freddie Burns and their reaction would be, “Oh yeah, that twat!” It feels like there a bit of respect back on my name. It’s nice.’
Brilliant character.
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Dan Biggar’s first column from inside the Lions camp. How the ‘debt collector’ Bundee Aki set the tone with a huge hit in training, Faletau’s barber shop and Fagerson leading the choir. Plus touching words about his mum, Liz, after her funeral last week
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Manu Tuilagi undergoing surgery on a torn Achilles next week. Expected to be out for six months. Big blow for Sale and England
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Searingly honest take on early retirement from Jack Clifford. Gutted? Yes. Bitter? No. He discusses pain killers, insurance and how it feels watching his mates on TV. ‘Cut me open and my body is like a Screwfix catalogue. There are that many bolts in me.’
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It’s like Chippy Alley at 4am outside Tobitayku station. Pissed up Welsh everywhere, singing Botany Bay or slumped by the door of McDonalds. Aussies doing lineouts with a bloke dressed as a kangaroo. The locals don’t know what’s hit them.
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Chris Boyd to leave his role with Northampton at the end of the season. Wants to be closer to his family in NZ. Story on
@MailSport
.
Also… Alun-Wyn Jones signs on til the World Cup, new deals for Quins trio and Levani Botia weighing up move to Leicester
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A real treat to pick this up in front of so many brilliant colleagues and friends ❤️
Making its return year, we have the Rugby Journalist of the Year, and the winner is
@nik_simon88
! He was praised for a 'game-changing' interview on racism. Well done Nik! 🏉
#SJA2023
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The day I had a springbok s*** spitting contest with Jacques Burger in the Kalahari Desert. A truly memorable day learning about
@Nabasboer
’s wild farming life in the Namibian outback
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First big interview with Henry Arundell in today’s
@MailSport
. He talks wonder tries, Christian Cullen, childhood notebooks and turning down a scholarship at Yale University last summer
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Juan Mata touches down in Manchester to complete £37m switch from Chelsea:
http://t.co/CnrhQUkpEU
#mufc
#cfc
http://t.co/qqfHYVAM4x
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Big
@mikebrown_15
interview with
@KyleSinckler
about his fond Quins years. Fascinating insight into the early days, his absent father, mentors and the World Cup final. And Brown asks: is Bristol all about the money?
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Steve Diamond confirms to
@MailSport
that Worcester wages are now paid - albeit 65% for non-playing staff. Backed owners to find an investor and urged fans to buy tickets to boost cash flow. Says it’s ‘all systems go’ for the new season
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Just witnessed a remarkable press conference. Ex-Leicester favourite Castrogiovanni storms in and calls Cockerill a c*** and much more.
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These are the stories I love about the World Cup.
The incredible journey of Frank Lomani.
Fiji’s No9 ran away from home so he didn’t have to take a job at a bank.
‘I had never left my village. I took the ferry, 13 hours, with 4 dollars in my pocket.’ 🇫🇯
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‘Nowadays we can sit here and have open and vulnerable conversations. For a number of years, I found life more difficult. I got married in lockdown and started my new life. It’s like freedom.’
@DannyCipriani87
interview ahead of a new start at
@BathRugby
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Interviewing Marler is always good fun.
Some knockabout content for social media and a more heartfelt read about his England comeback: ‘I got a bit lost. I lost the drive.’
'I hope that it just PINGS!' 🤢
@JoeMarler
reveals the ONE person who he would arm wrestle! 💪😂
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Rob Howley has joined Canada’s coaching team as a senior assistant. First step back on the ladder for a good guy who has been through an incredibly tough time.
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Interview with cult hero Sebastian Chabal.
His beard is as strong as ever, he still drives a Smart Car and he has a pet peacock.
Fascinating chat about his time at
@SaleSharksRugby
, Eric Cantona, Zinedine Zidane and Gregory Aldritt…
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Exclusive: Wasps are on the verge of signing Springboks No9 Francois Hougaard. Deal could be announced this week
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First Rassie Erasmus mask spotted at Twickenham: ‘Listen into the referee… I wish I had!’
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On opposite sides of the world,
@mikebrown_15
and Joe Marchant have strong views on how the game needs to move forwards: summer rugby, no relegation, central contracts and and an end to ‘boring’ conservative tactics
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Shaun Edwards column for
@MailSport
on Antoine Dupont: ‘I’d be very surprised if he isn’t available for the quarter or semi-final’. Had surgery at 11pm last night. A nation holds its breath 🇫🇷
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Luther Burrell is set to sign for Newcastle Falcons. Understand the deal could be announced as soon as tomorrow. More coming on
@MailSport
Luther Burrell lifts the lid about his ill-fated year in rugby league in
@MailSport
. He’s terminated his Warrington contract and wants a return to union. ‘I’m in the shape of my life and I’m on the open market. Union is my love and will always be my love.’
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