Michael Aylwin

Rugby Correspondent and Writer at The Guardian

Rugby Correspondent and Writer at The Observer

‘Journalistic but worthy of consideration’ - Lord Myners. ‘Unholy Union’ here https://t.co/CE2041UU4w My novel 'Ivon' there https://t.co/06puiZoUqA

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Articles

Cadan Murley hat-trick lifts Harlequins and shatters Gloucester’s playoff dream

4 days ago | msn.com | Michael Aylwin

Microsoft Cares About Your PrivacyMicrosoft and our third-party vendors use cookies to store and access information such as unique IDs to deliver, maintain and improve our services and ads. If you agree, MSN and Microsoft Bing will personalise the content and ads that you see. You can select ‘I Accept’ to consent to these uses or click on ‘Manage preferences’ to review your options and exercise your right to object to Legitimate Interest where used.
Cadan Murley gives Quins a summer buzz to shatter Gloucester’s playoff dream

4 days ago | theguardian.com | Michael Aylwin

Harlequins went down by 40 points in the last round at Welford Road, barely playing a shot. So it was inevitable they would burst into this one in front of a big house at the big stadium across the road for their now traditional “Big Summer Kick-Off” game. Likewise, Gloucester played the rugby of the gods last time out, one shy of 80 points against Exeter, so it stood to reason they would flop painfully here. And, boy, did they.
British & Irish Lions squad 2025: the chosen 38 players

6 days ago | ca.sports.yahoo.com | Michael Aylwin

Back in the England fold after a two-year injury absence. Played in all of England’s Six Nations matches, starting four, winning the nod, as here, over Jamie George, England’s previous captain. Also involved in every Test in South Africa in 2021, starting the first two. A handful around the park with much-improved technical skills. We thought he might be Ireland’s hooker for the foreseeable when he made his debut in the 2020 Six Nations, a few months after Rory Best retired.
British & Irish Lions squad 2025: the chosen 38 players

6 days ago | theguardian.com | Michael Aylwin

HookersLuke Cowan-DickieSale and EnglandAge 31 Caps 49 Lions caps 3Back in the England fold after a two-year injury absence. Played in all of England’s Six Nations matches, starting four, winning the nod, as here, over Jamie George, England’s previous captain. Also involved in every Test in South Africa in 2021, starting the first two. A handful around the park with much-improved technical skills.
You are the head coach: Guardian writers choose their own Lions squads

1 week ago | theguardian.com | Ugo Monye |Robert Kitson |Andy Bull |Gerard Meagher |Michael Aylwin

Ugo MonyeBuild the team around The majority of my spine players come in the pack. In some areas the leading candidate is a cut above the rest and none more so than Dan Sheehan at hooker. He’s nailed on as first choice. I’d put Maro Itoje in that bracket too and, due to lack of alternatives, I would’ve had Caelan Doris before news of his shoulder injury emerged. Perhaps the most important player is the one back I’ve selected in this category, however.
Adam Radwan runs riot as Leicester leave Quins’ playoff hopes in tatters

2 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Michael Aylwin

Could not have gone any worse for Harlequins; could not have gone much better for Leicester. Bath may now be the first team to be mathematically guaranteed a place in the playoffs, following their home win over Newcastle, but Leicester take another big stride towards joining them. Maximum points in front of nigh-on 26,000 of their faithful sends them above Sale into second, with three rounds remaining.
Leaders Bath survive Exeter onslaught but look a far cry from champions

3 weeks ago | msn.com | Michael Aylwin

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Leaders Bath hold out for win despite Brown-Bampoe double for Exeter

3 weeks ago | theguardian.com | Michael Aylwin

The perils of going too early. We should know by now that no game in this competition is ever dead until it is dead, so common is the comeback these days. But when Bath, league leaders, had the bonus point here by the half-hour mark – and a 26-10 lead to go with it – we did assume they were home and hosed. All the more so, given Exeter’s low levels of confidence, not to mention their low position in the table, with only Newcastle below them. But the Chiefs would not let matters lie.
Benson shines as Harlequins record first away league win over Saracens in 13 years

1 month ago | msn.com | Michael Aylwin

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Benson shines as Harlequins record first away league win over Saracens in 13 years

1 month ago | theguardian.com | Michael Aylwin

Who needs Marcus Smith, England fly-half? Who, for that matter, needs Jarrod Evans, Wales fly-half? Jamie Benson is a 22-year-old who made his Premiership debut in November. On Saturday he came on at half-time for Evans and kicked three long-range penalties in the last 10 minutes to set up Harlequins for their first Premiership away win over Saracens for 13 years. He also converted both Harlequins’ tries, the second at the death. Score when he came on: 12-0. Score at the end 12-23.