Ben Coles
@bencoles.bsky.social
Rugby writer. Now for @observeruk.bsky.social and freelance, before @telegraphnews.bsky.social.
Give me your pitches and ideas: bencolessport@gmail.com
Give me your pitches and ideas: bencolessport@gmail.com
Pinned
Ben Coles
@bencoles.bsky.social
· Apr 16
Rupeni Caucau could have been rugby’s greatest – and we tracked him down
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
www.telegraph.co.uk
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/...
With thanks to Wayne Pivac, Doug Howlett, Jonny Wilkinson, Colin Yukes, Yannick Nyanga, and Caucau himself. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
Farewell to two excellent old-timers. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Farewell Cole and Youngs: Leicester Tigers will miss two ...
For Leicester stalwarts Dan Cole and Ben Youngs, it now feels like the best time to say goodbye
observer.co.uk
June 16, 2025 at 8:09 AM
Farewell to two excellent old-timers. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Many thanks to all the Bath fans who wrote in for this. Enjoyed collating them together. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Bath fans hope to end 29 year wait for glory | The Observer
Bath fans write in about their hopes for Saturday’s Premiership final
observer.co.uk
June 13, 2025 at 5:43 PM
Many thanks to all the Bath fans who wrote in for this. Enjoyed collating them together. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
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 bencolessport@gmail.com. Thanks!
Please reply, DM or email bencolessport@gmail.com. Thanks!
June 11, 2025 at 1:41 PM
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 bencolessport@gmail.com. Thanks!
Please reply, DM or email bencolessport@gmail.com. Thanks!
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...
Johann van Graan often says “dream big”. Bath right now can achieve anything they want to. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Bath looking hot as they tackle the Tigers for final rede...
Premiership top dogs could bounce back from heartbreak last season... and end a 29-year drought
observer.co.uk
June 7, 2025 at 8:30 PM
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...
Johann van Graan often says “dream big”. Bath right now can achieve anything they want to. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
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...
Latest for @observeruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Run It Straight: This is not rugby, it’s a recipe for dis...
The new craze on a collision course with credulity and a ‘don’t try this at home’ health warning
observer.co.uk
June 4, 2025 at 11:02 AM
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...
Latest for @observeruk.bsky.social. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
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...
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...
Phil Dowson hopes Northampton Saints can exorcise some demons of the past | The Observer
As the Saints make their first Champions Cup final appearance in more than a decade, there is ample opportunity to settle a score
observer.co.uk
May 23, 2025 at 2:45 PM
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...
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...
Reposted by Ben Coles
Bravely writing about this now so we can try to avoid a summer of 'Finn Smith'. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Finn vs Fin: it’s not just in the name that Lions face tight selection battle | The Observer
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
observer.co.uk
May 18, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Bravely writing about this now so we can try to avoid a summer of 'Finn Smith'. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Bravely writing about this now so we can try to avoid a summer of 'Finn Smith'. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
Finn vs Fin: it’s not just in the name that Lions face tight selection battle | The Observer
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
observer.co.uk
May 18, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Bravely writing about this now so we can try to avoid a summer of 'Finn Smith'. observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...
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 bencolessport@gmail.com
Have a pitch or an idea? Send to bencolessport@gmail.com
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...
Maro Itoje proves Eddie Jones wrong to become British & Irish Lions captain
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
observer.co.uk
May 8, 2025 at 10:44 AM
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 bencolessport@gmail.com
Have a pitch or an idea? Send to bencolessport@gmail.com
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...
Maro Itoje proves Eddie Jones wrong to become British & Irish Lions captain
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
observer.co.uk
May 8, 2025 at 10:37 AM
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...
When was the last time you saw post, crossbar, post, crossbar, miss?
April 21, 2025 at 2:06 PM
When was the last time you saw post, crossbar, post, crossbar, miss?
Reposted by Ben Coles
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/...
With thanks to Wayne Pivac, Doug Howlett, Jonny Wilkinson, Colin Yukes, Yannick Nyanga, and Caucau himself. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
Rupeni Caucau could have been rugby’s greatest – and we tracked him down
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
www.telegraph.co.uk
April 16, 2025 at 7:17 AM
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/...
With thanks to Wayne Pivac, Doug Howlett, Jonny Wilkinson, Colin Yukes, Yannick Nyanga, and Caucau himself. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
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/...
With thanks to Wayne Pivac, Doug Howlett, Jonny Wilkinson, Colin Yukes, Yannick Nyanga, and Caucau himself. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
Rupeni Caucau could have been rugby’s greatest – and we tracked him down
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
www.telegraph.co.uk
April 16, 2025 at 7:17 AM
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/...
With thanks to Wayne Pivac, Doug Howlett, Jonny Wilkinson, Colin Yukes, Yannick Nyanga, and Caucau himself. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
Celebrations are hot right now. We should give Tommy Freeman’s lawnmower more love. Also revisited some classics. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
Henry Pollock leading rugby’s new ‘celly’ trend
From Saints flanker’s free-throw to Chandler Cunningham-South’s nod to Cole Palmer, the game could do with more players showing personality
www.telegraph.co.uk
April 15, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Celebrations are hot right now. We should give Tommy Freeman’s lawnmower more love. Also revisited some classics. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
Celebrations are hot right now. We should give Tommy Freeman’s lawnmower more love. Also revisited some classics. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
Rugby is in a new era of audacious try celebrations
From Henry Pollock’s free-throw to Chandler Cunningham-South’s nod to Cole Palmer, the game could do with more players showing personality
www.telegraph.co.uk
April 15, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Celebrations are hot right now. We should give Tommy Freeman’s lawnmower more love. Also revisited some classics. www.telegraph.co.uk/rugby-union/...
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/...
Basketball is Tomos Williams’ secret weapon in bid to make the Lions
Wales and Gloucester scrum-half credits his hoops love affair for the magical moments that could well propel him into Andy Farrell’s squad
www.telegraph.co.uk
April 11, 2025 at 7:14 AM
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/...
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/...
Joe Marler interview: Men’s rugby players should do TikTok dances too
Recently retired Harlequins prop offers take on viral social media moments, greyhounds and his work with Team England Rugby
www.telegraph.co.uk
April 8, 2025 at 11:18 AM
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/...
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/...
April 6, 2025 at 3:49 PM
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/...
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/...
Watch: Leicester lodge complaint after Dan Cole ‘eye-gouged’ by Henco Venter
Incident occurred in the opening minutes of the first half during Leicester’s comprehensive Champions Cup defeat by Glasgow
www.telegraph.co.uk
April 6, 2025 at 3:15 PM
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/...
Ruben Love has an elite Super Rugby name and an elite passing game.
March 31, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Ruben Love has an elite Super Rugby name and an elite passing game.
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/...
Andy Farrell must not be forced to pick token Welsh players for Lions tour
A complete Wales snub would be travesty for their national game but Farrell should not be guilt-tripped – his job is to win
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 20, 2025 at 9:27 AM
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/...
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/...
Premiership to introduce away ends for rugby fans – this is no bad thing
Two trials at end of April will offer supporters option to sit in designated section; Plus, why this is not making rugby like football
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 17, 2025 at 9:21 PM
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/...
And that’s our last @TelegraphRugby Podcast of the Six Nations! We’ve had a blast. See you for the 🦁🦁🦁. pod.link/1196875127/e...
The Telegraph Rugby Podcast
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
March 17, 2025 at 9:17 PM
And that’s our last @TelegraphRugby Podcast of the Six Nations! We’ve had a blast. See you for the 🦁🦁🦁. pod.link/1196875127/e...
Reposted by Ben Coles
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
www.telegraph.co.uk
March 15, 2025 at 3:12 PM
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/...