Gavin Mairs

Gavin Mairs

Chief Rugby Union Correspondent

George Furbank forces himself into Lions reckoning with scintillating return for seven-try Saints

Ben Coles 14 Apr 2025, 1:14pm

Harlequins humiliation in Dublin must hasten overhaul of Champions Cup format

Gavin Mairs 5 Apr 2025, 7:16pm
Silent Bill Sweeney survives but damage to RFU has been done

Chief executive secures 65.82pc of vote but grass-roots game vows to continue applying pressure to RFU board in bid for reform and change

Gavin Mairs 27 Mar 2025, 9:56pm
How the future of the RFU and Bill Sweeney will be decided today

Day of reckoning dawns for beleaguered chief executive who faces a vote of no confidence over bonus scheme and other issues at SGM

Gavin Mairs 27 Mar 2025, 7:29am

Forget nepotism – a fit and hungry Owen Farrell would be a major asset for the Lions

Former England fly-half will have to prove his fitness after injury lay-off for club Racing 92 but his experience could prove crucial

Gavin Mairs 26 Mar 2025, 6:01pm
Andy Farrell reveals ‘75-man’ longlist for Lions tour and Irish core in coaching team

Gavin Mairs 26 Mar 2025, 2:09pm
Lions in advanced talks to play France

Women’s and men’s sides aiming to face French ahead of 2027 and 2029 New Zealand tours

Charles Richardson 25 Mar 2025, 5:40pm
England coach Richard Wigglesworth to join Lions tour after Andy Farrell reprieve

British & Irish Lions coach understood to have contacted England senior assistant following their record win over Wales in Six Nations

Gavin Mairs 24 Mar 2025, 4:02pm
Leicester condemn Northampton to utter humiliation and unwanted records

Gavin Mairs 21 Mar 2025, 10:58pm
Our experts pick their Lions squad to tour Australia

Our team of rugby writers agree that Maro Itoje should be captain for tour Down Under but scrum-half places are up for grabs

Gavin Mairs 19 Mar 2025, 7:00am

Maro Itoje has done everything he possibly could to win Lions captaincy battle

England’s Six Nations campaign finished on a high and so too has the captain’s reputation after underscoring his leadership credentials

Gavin Mairs 18 Mar 2025, 9:01am
England fans have waited three seasons for a performance like this demolition of Wales

Kieran Crichard 15 Mar 2025, 10:49pm
Six Nations Super Saturday predictions: Who our experts are backing to win the championship

Going into the final round of the tournament, Telegraph Rugby writers assess how the matches will play out and who will win the title

Telegraph Sport Reporters 15 Mar 2025, 5:15am
Six Nations agree new free-to-air deal – with no England games on BBC

Landmark deal a huge boost to rugby fans amid concerns the tournament could go behind a paywall

Gavin Mairs 14 Mar 2025, 3:25pm
Secrets of Maro Itoje’s captaincy: No swearing, extra fitness and Attlee-inspired leadership

Lock has shown increased calm at critical moments in matches and encouraged closer bonds within squad through players’ weekly presentations

Gavin Mairs 14 Mar 2025, 7:07am
Steve Borthwick has thrown caution to the wind as England go for the jugular

Bold back-line reshuffle and playmakers aplenty as coach shows desperate pragmatism in search of Six Nations glory in Cardiff

Gavin Mairs 13 Mar 2025, 8:01am
Steve Borthwick’s radical plan: throw three No 10s into the Cardiff cauldron

Daniel Schofield 12 Mar 2025, 7:47pm
Six Nations finale: Our experts pick England team they want to face Wales

Marcus Smith deserves only a spot on the bench and there is a case for dropping Jamie George

Gavin Mairs 11 Mar 2025, 9:33am
England shed the straitjacket in Six Nations victory over Italy

Kieran Crichard 9 Mar 2025, 10:05pm
France humble Ireland in Dublin to keep England’s Six Nations title hopes alive

Gavin Mairs 8 Mar 2025, 9:06pm
If England mismanage Fin vs Marcus Smith, the latter could end up in France or Japan

The two fly-halves are approaching a crossroads in their international careers and Steve Borthwick has a key man-management role to play

Gavin Mairs 8 Mar 2025, 7:02am
The Northampton training secrets that forced England to build back line around them

Plus: Steve Borthwick turns to Fraser ‘The Duke’ Dingwall to ignite attack against Italy

Daniel Schofield 7 Mar 2025, 5:15pm