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Bath fans hope to end 29 year wait for glory | The Observer

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Jun 13

Many thanks to all the Bath fans who wrote in for this. Enjoyed collating them together. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Bath fans write in about their hopes for Saturday’s Premiership final

Bath looking hot as they tackle the Tigers for final rede...

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Jun 11

Hi, Bath fans. Keen to hear from you all about what it would mean to win on Saturday after so long, how long you have been following the club and who you'll be thinking about on the day.

Please reply, DM or email [email protected]. Thanks!

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Jun 7

Remember leaving the press box with @charliemorgan.bsky.social after last year’s Premiership final and saying “well, Bath will definitely win it next year”.

Johann van Graan often says “dream big”. Bath right now can achieve anything they want to. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Premiership top dogs could bounce back from heartbreak last season... and end a 29-year drought

Run It Straight: This is not rugby, it’s a recipe for dis...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Jun 4

Can I see why RUNIT and Run It Straight have become so popular? Absolutely. Have I also been watching through my fingers while participants with bad technique are being knocked out? Again, absolutely.

Latest for @observeruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

The new craze on a collision course with credulity and a ‘don’t try this at home’ health warning

Phil Dowson hopes Northampton Saints can exorcise some demons of the past | The Observer

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · May 23

Northampton in a Champions Cup final for the first time in 14 years, in the same stadium where they lost in 2011? Love those coincidences.

Coaches have bigger things to worry about than fate, but the rest of us can hypothesise about the stars aligning. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

As the Saints make their first Champions Cup final appearance in more than a decade, there is ample opportunity to settle a score

Finn vs Fin: it’s not just in the name that Lions face tight selection battle | The Observer

Reposted by Ben Coles

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · May 18

Bravely writing about this now so we can try to avoid a summer of 'Finn Smith'. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

The debate rages on as to whether it will be Finn Russell or Fin Smith starting in the British and Irish Lions No 10 shirt this summer

Finn vs Fin: it’s not just in the name that Lions face tight selection battle | The Observer

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · May 18

Bravely writing about this now so we can try to avoid a summer of 'Finn Smith'. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

The debate rages on as to whether it will be Finn Russell or Fin Smith starting in the British and Irish Lions No 10 shirt this summer

Maro Itoje proves Eddie Jones wrong to become British & Irish Lions captain

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · May 8

Obviously, this isn't for @telegraphnews.bsky.social. Very grateful for the last eight years working alongside some of the best.

Have a pitch or an idea? Send to [email protected]

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · May 8

Maro Itoje being named Lions captain isn't a shock. The only surprise is that it took this long. Piece for @observeruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

The England captain, once written off by Jones, has been named as captain of the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad ahead of the full squad announcement today

Maro Itoje proves Eddie Jones wrong to become British & Irish Lions captain

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · May 8

Maro Itoje being named Lions captain isn't a shock. The only surprise is that it took this long. Piece for @observeruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

The England captain, once written off by Jones, has been named as captain of the 2025 British & Irish Lions squad ahead of the full squad announcement today

Rupeni Caucau could have been rugby’s greatest – and we tracked him down

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 21

When was the last time you saw post, crossbar, post, crossbar, miss?

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Reposted by Ben Coles

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 16

Have always been fascinated by Rupeni Caucaunibuca, one of rugby’s greatest talents. And yet the way his career panned out feels like a tragedy.

With thanks to Wayne Pivac, Doug Howlett, Jonny Wilkinson, Colin Yukes, Yannick Nyanga, and Caucau himself. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Closest thing the sport has seen to Jonah Lomu with the potential even to surpass him – wasted talent of Fijian who had world at his feet

Rupeni Caucau could have been rugby’s greatest – and we tracked him down

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 16

Have always been fascinated by Rupeni Caucaunibuca, one of rugby’s greatest talents. And yet the way his career panned out feels like a tragedy.

With thanks to Wayne Pivac, Doug Howlett, Jonny Wilkinson, Colin Yukes, Yannick Nyanga, and Caucau himself. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Closest thing the sport has seen to Jonah Lomu with the potential even to surpass him – wasted talent of Fijian who had world at his feet

Henry Pollock leading rugby’s new ‘celly’ trend

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 15

Celebrations are hot right now. We should give Tommy Freeman’s lawnmower more love. Also revisited some classics. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

From Saints flanker’s free-throw to Chandler Cunningham-South’s nod to Cole Palmer, the game could do with more players showing personality

Rugby is in a new era of audacious try celebrations

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 15

Celebrations are hot right now. We should give Tommy Freeman’s lawnmower more love. Also revisited some classics. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

From Henry Pollock’s free-throw to Chandler Cunningham-South’s nod to Cole Palmer, the game could do with more players showing personality

Basketball is Tomos Williams’ secret weapon in bid to make the Lions

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 11

Spoke to Premiership Rugby's player of the month, Tomos Williams, about basketball, @gloucesterrugby.bsky.social's young attack coach James Lightfoot-Brown, what Wales need from their next head coach and, of course, the Lions. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Wales and Gloucester scrum-half credits his hoops love affair for the magical moments that could well propel him into Andy Farrell’s squad

Joe Marler interview: Men’s rugby players should do TikTok dances too

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 8

A chat with @JoeMarler. Discussed post-game TikToks - "If the girls want to express themselves, then express themselves. And if the boys want to do the same, f------ get on board with it" - and the 30-game guideline limits for England players. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Recently retired Harlequins prop offers take on viral social media moments, greyhounds and his work with Team England Rugby

Watch: Leicester lodge complaint after Dan Cole ‘eye-gouged’ by Henco Venter

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 6

In non-parachute news, understand that Leicester have lodged a complaint to the citing commissioner over an alleged eye gouge on Dan Cole by Glasgow's Henco Venter. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 6

In non-parachute news, understand that Leicester have lodged a complaint to the citing commissioner over an alleged eye gouge on Dan Cole by Glasgow's Henco Venter. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Incident occurred in the opening minutes of the first half during Leicester’s comprehensive Champions Cup defeat by Glasgow

Andy Farrell must not be forced to pick token Welsh players for Lions tour

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Apr 5

Tropical here. #GLAvLEI

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Mar 31

Ruben Love has an elite Super Rugby name and an elite passing game.

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Mar 20

The smart money is on at least one Wales player making the Lions squad. But should Andy Farrell have to pick one to keep everybody happy? And are there any absolute certainties at this point? No. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

A complete Wales snub would be travesty for their national game but Farrell should not be guilt-tripped – his job is to win

Premiership to introduce away ends for rugby fans – this is no bad thing

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Mar 17

Premiership Rugby will trial away sections at two games next month - Saracens v Gloucester on April 19 and Leicester v Harlequins on April 26. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Two trials at end of April will offer supporters option to sit in designated section; Plus, why this is not making rugby like football

The Telegraph Rugby Podcast

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Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Mar 17

And that’s our last @TelegraphRugby Podcast of the Six Nations! We’ve had a blast. See you for the 🦁🦁🦁. pod.link/1196875127/e...

Go beyond the back pages and join the Telegraph's rugby experts and big name guests as they tackle the game's most interesting trends, themes and talking points. Our unrivalled rugby coverage now avai...

pod.link

Reposted by Ben Coles

Ben Coles @bencoles.bsky.social · Mar 15

Sources confirming @MarkKleinmanSky's story - Newcastle Falcons set to receive a loan from rival Premiership clubs and CVC so they can meet financial criteria to stay in the league next season. Understood to be between £3-4m. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...

Premiership to fund £4m loan for struggling Newcastle

Falcons to receive cash injection from rivals to meet financial criteria to stay in league next season, with club’s future in jeopardy