Alex Spink
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alexspink.bsky.social
Alex Spink
@alexspink.bsky.social
310 followers 130 following 99 posts
Sports writer, 25 years Mirror rugby & athletics correspondent. Now Planet Sport
https://www.planetrugby.com/author/alex-spink
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alexspink.bsky.social
Ollie Lawrence steps out of Manu Tuilagi’s shadow to skittle All Blacks 13 years after his predecessor did the same. Piece from Twickenham @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/opinion...
Opinion: Ollie Lawrence steps out of Manu Tuilagi's 'shadow' to down the All Blacks 13 years after his predecessor did the same
💬 "The Bath man had spent a 36-cap career likened to the wrecking ball midfielder but denied a similar billing because he lacked a standout performance." #ENGvNZL
www.planetrugby.com
November 16, 2025 at 9:11 AM
alexspink.bsky.social
The day ‘the blood drained out of the faces’ of All Blacks greats Richie McCaw and Kieran Read and history was made

How Twickenham 2012 came to pass and what England need to do if they are to repeat the result. #ENGvNZL

www.planetrugby.com/news/the-sta...
The day 'the blood drained out of the faces' of Richie McCaw and Kieran Read and why 'this is England’s time' again
A lot of water has run under Twickenham bridge since Tom Youngs and Tom Wood combined to beat New Zealand with England back in 2012.
www.planetrugby.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:16 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
Forward brawn and Rassie’s brain too much to handle as ‘unbreakable’ Boks conquer France again

South Africa power to victory in another Paris classic. Comment. @planetrugbycom
www.planetrugby.com/news/opinion...
Opinion: Forward brawn and Rassie’s brain too much to handle as ‘unbreakable’ Boks conquer France again
🗣️ "There will be no revenge for France’s World Cup quarter-final loss, no consolation for a Les Bleus team which built a platform to win the game through Damian Penaud’s two early tries, only to be k...
www.planetrugby.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:05 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
Why five-million dollar gamble on NRL starlet Joseph Suaalii was no roll of the dice by Australian rugby.

Piece with Wallaby legend George Gregan ahead of England-Australia. @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/why-fiv...
Why five-million dollar gamble on NRL starlet was no roll of the dice by Australian rugby, says Wallaby legend George Gregan
🗣️ "People forget that now because he has proved himself to be one of Australian rugby's best investments." #ENGvAUS
www.planetrugby.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:59 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
“Manny and Emeka [Ilione] are shining examples to young people who sometimes think ‘I can’t do both’. It’s great for others to see lads at the top of the game also working hard away from the field”

Interview with Jamie Roberts on English rugby’s medical men
www.planetrugby.com/news/the-med...
The medical reason Wales legend Jamie Roberts will be cheering for a 'powerful Shane Williams' when England tackle Wallabies
🗣️ "He's unbelievable, a pocket rocket." #ENGvAUS
www.planetrugby.com
October 31, 2025 at 10:55 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
“These are absolute warriors, yet the biggest battle they’ve ever faced is MND. It’s so bloody awful”

Ben Youngs’ family and club Leicester have been touched by MND. His thoughts and our chance to help the fight. Please read

www.planetrugby.com/news/england...
England legend Ben Youngs returns to rugby in 'important' battle alongside brother
🗣️ “I was done, I was so ready in my head."
www.planetrugby.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:28 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
EXCL: England legend Emily Scarratt challenges women’s rugby to up its ambition still further by taking PWR Final to Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium and selling out the place
www.planetrugby.com/news/england...
England's 'greatest player' challenges the game to 'not undersell' itself with a showing of 'unbelievable growth'
💬 “I genuinely believe we can do anything now in our game.”
www.planetrugby.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:19 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
“These are absolute warriors, yet the biggest battle they’ve ever faced is MND. It’s so bloody awful”

Ben Youngs’ family and club Leicester Tigers have been touched by MND. His thoughts and our chance to help the fight. Please read

planetrugby.com/news/england-l…
October 21, 2025 at 4:57 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
“He wants to play in a starting shirt. He’s said to me he feels a different player as a result of his experience with the Lions”

Marcus Smith determined to shed jack-of-all-trades tag and fight for keys to No10 @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/harlequ...
Harlequins coach reveals what 'unbelievable talent' Marcus Smith's goal is as he makes long awaited return to PREM Rugby
🗣️ "Marcus is an unbelievable talent and his talent has got him a long way. He's very passionate about Quins and also his country, and he wants to play in a starting shirt." #PremRugby
www.planetrugby.com
October 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
“George Ford could be the first player to be a head coach whilst wearing the number 10 jersey”

EXCL: Fin Smith, Ford or Marcus Smith? Panel of experts weigh up England’s biggest selection call. @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/fin-smi...
Fin Smith, George Ford or Marcus Smith? Panel of experts weigh up Steve Borthwick's 'biggest selection decision'
🗣️ "He has a major selection headache likely to be keeping him awake at night. That of who starts at fly-half."
www.planetrugby.com
October 9, 2025 at 11:21 AM
alexspink.bsky.social
“Six years after conquering the world in Yokohama they show absolutely no sign they are about to abdicate their throne”

Comment piece on day South Africa won yet another major trophy. @planetrugby.bsky.social
www.planetrugby.com/news/comment...
Comment: Springboks show why they are the game's 'dominant force' with second successive Rugby Championship triumph
🗣️ "Six years after conquering the world in Yokohama they show absolutely no sign they are about to abdicate their throne." #ARGvRSA #RugbyChampionship
www.planetrugby.com
October 5, 2025 at 8:00 AM
alexspink.bsky.social
“The Springboks are the absolute benchmark. The squad depth Erasmus has developed is such I would not back against them winning three [World Cups] on the spin”

Dan Biggar on tomorrow’s Twickenham Rugby Championship finale and beyond. @planetrugby.bsky.social
www.planetrugby.com/news/full-pa...
'Full package' Springboks on course for World Cup hat-trick as Wales legend hails 'box-office' Rassie Erasmus
🗣️ "The Springboks, at the minute, are the absolute benchmark."
www.planetrugby.com
October 3, 2025 at 9:05 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
"English sporting success is rarely appreciated beyond the boundaries of the country itself. This one should be. It promises to accelerate the growth of women’s rugby everywhere"

Comment piece on the day England won the Rugby World Cup @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/rugby-w...
Rugby World Cup hosts England 'finally get job done' with 'brakes slammed' on Canada 'fast show'
🏆 “England saved their best for last.”
www.planetrugby.com
September 27, 2025 at 7:46 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
“I can see this nation winning the Women's World Cup in the not too distant future"

EXCL: South Africa, four-time world champions in men's rugby, warn their time is coming in women's game.

Piece for @planetrugby.bsky.social ahead of Saturday's #RWC2025 final
www.planetrugby.com/news/springb...
Springbok Women's coach sounds 'sky is the limit' warning to Rugby World Cup superpower nations whose 'distinct advantage' now a thing of the past
🗣️ "The sky is the limit." #RWC2025
www.planetrugby.com
September 24, 2025 at 8:45 AM
alexspink.bsky.social
Oh, Canada! The night the have-nots took it all at the Women’s Rugby World Cup. Piece for @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/comment...
Comment: Canada's 'remarkable story' gets final chapter as crowdfunded team dumps out six-time World Cup-winning Black Ferns
🗣️ "We haven't gone and done it yet, we've one job left to do." #NZLvCAN #RWC2025
www.planetrugby.com
September 19, 2025 at 10:05 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
“This day was New Zealand’s. After what went before, that was quite a relief”

Black Ferns restore Kiwi rugby pride but have to pull out all the stops to survive first half onslaught from upstart Boks. @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/opinion...
Opinion: Teen sensation 'restores New Zealand rugby pride' as Black Ferns overcome Bok Women's 'heft and muscle'
🗣️ "This day was New Zealand’s. After what went before, that was quite a relief."
www.planetrugby.com
September 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
A slice of history in the Cake Tin for South Africa. No crumb of comfort for All Blacks. Comment piece on record win for bounce-back Boks @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/comment...
Comment: 'Bone-shuddering intensity' powers Springboks to All Blacks 'annihilation'
🗣️ "All we know with any certainty is that the Springboks are back. Emphatically so."
www.planetrugby.com
September 13, 2025 at 3:26 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
How Cheslin Kolbe and one remarkable grandmother have Springbok Women’s star Nadine Roos daring to dream ahead of Black Ferns clash. #RWC2025 @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/how-che...
How Cheslin Kolbe and one remarkable grandmother have Springbok Women's star Nadine Roos daring to dream ahead of Black Ferns clash
🗣️ "We want to win and we have nothing to lose." #RWC2025
www.planetrugby.com
September 11, 2025 at 5:24 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
‘We’d had enough of being bullied, enough of crap being said about us. It had reached a point where it was very hurtful and very confronting’

EXCL: Wallaby legend Chris Latham on moment mid-Lions series which transformed Australia’s year @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/wed-had...
‘We’d had enough of being bullied’ - Wallabies legend lifts lid on Australia’s stunning mid-season transformation
🗣️ “They went to one of the hardest places in the sport to play the world champions and beat them. Then they backed it up the week after, taking the Springboks all the way to the wire.”
www.planetrugby.com
September 2, 2025 at 9:02 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
Is John Mitchell the missing piece in England women’s Rugby World Cup jigsaw and why a 14-try rout of Samoa in front of Lionesses’ heroine Chloe Kelly perhaps offered a clue. Comment for @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/comment...
Comment: 'Ruthless' Red Roses put Samoa to the sword in 14-try victory that 'spoke volumes' of the culture John Mitchell has instilled
🗣️ "The ruthless way in which England put Samoa to the sword in Northampton spoke volumes of the culture Mitchell has instilled since taking office." #RWC2025
www.planetrugby.com
August 30, 2025 at 9:15 PM
alexspink.bsky.social
“Of course, I have moments I sit and go over the what-ifs. I look at Owen and George with immense envy"

EXCL: Freddie Burns on his 'world tour', who he blames for not having more caps and being at peace with the path his career has taken.

www.planetrugby.com/news/freddie...
Freddie Burns brushes off 'what ifs' as his 'world tour' continues and reveals why he is 'immensely envious' of Owen Farrell and George Ford
🗣️ "I've done Newcastle away on a Friday night and all that."
www.planetrugby.com
August 30, 2025 at 10:13 AM
alexspink.bsky.social
“The Boks were made to sweat and fret, aside from Pollard, who never appears to do either”

Round 2 of Rugby Championship, comment piece @planetrugby.bsky.social

t.co/1DVO0ibjP5
https://www.planetrugby.com/news/comment-far-from-exceptional-springboks-cause-alarm-despite-handre-pollards-efforts
t.co
August 24, 2025 at 11:24 AM
alexspink.bsky.social
Comment: Why a match they played no part in has shaped the way we will remember the 2025 Lions @planetrugby.bsky.social
www.planetrugby.com/news/opinion...
Opinion: Some might say Wallabies' brighter day at Ellis Park means Andy Farrell and Lions can look back with pleasure
🗣️ "Until this weekend their reception from historians was cool, damned by faint praise in some quarters. Now we know better." #Lions2025 #RSAvAUS
www.planetrugby.com
August 17, 2025 at 10:59 AM
alexspink.bsky.social
“He can be very confronting because he is incredibly passionate about rugby. So that’s challenging. But he’s a brilliant innovator”

EXCL World Rugby have twice banned Rassie Erasmus. So why does CEO Alan Gilpin liken him to Arsène Wenger?
@planetrugby.bsky.social
www.planetrugby.com/news/world-r...
World Rugby boss: Rassie Erasmus has heard our pleas but our game needs 'brilliant innovators' like the Springboks coach
💬 “My personal view is we need to embrace [what Rassie Erasmus brings to rugby].”
www.planetrugby.com
August 15, 2025 at 9:45 AM
alexspink.bsky.social
"Every time a Lion looked up there was a Wallaby in his face. Sometimes it was legal, frequently it blurred the line between what is acceptable and what tends to interest the TMO"

#Lions lose the battle but win the war. Comment piece @planetrugby.bsky.social

www.planetrugby.com/news/comment...
Comment: If the rugby gods laid on the lightning, Will Skelton brought the thunder
🗣️ "Derided in bars, in newsprint and across the airwaves, this was some reaction."
www.planetrugby.com
August 3, 2025 at 11:51 AM