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Ben Coles

@bencoles_ • 11,735 subscribers

Sports writer, @ObserverUK and freelance. The Rugby Bunker on YouTube and podcast. The Off-Field Review on Substack every Monday.

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Johann van Graan is usually very measured. So his comments about three alleged 'headshots' on Alfie Barbeary were worth noting. Analysed each of them on this week's Substack. Read: Also, to be crystal clear, UBB were the better side and deserved to win.

Johann van Graan is usually very measured. So his comments about three alleged 'headshots' on Alfie Barbeary were worth noting. Analysed each of them on this week's Substack. Read: Also, to be crystal clear, UBB were the better side and deserved to win.

105,434 views

Found Leinster's approach to restarts in Bilbao bewildering. Fed Lucu and gave him all the time in the world. This week's Substack - - on that first-half massacre, and what's next for Leinster and UBB.

Found Leinster's approach to restarts in Bilbao bewildering. Fed Lucu and gave him all the time in the world. This week's Substack - - on that first-half massacre, and what's next for Leinster and UBB.

28,227 views

Dan Cole and Tom Croft - that will get you.

Dan Cole and Tom Croft - that will get you.

389,374 views

Yeah, England missed Feyi-Waboso. (Going to be a bloodbath defence review when Munster put on the tape)

Yeah, England missed Feyi-Waboso. (Going to be a bloodbath defence review when Munster put on the tape)

69,359 views

Best slow-motion replay of the Six Nations. #ITAvIRE

Best slow-motion replay of the Six Nations. #ITAvIRE

380,797 views

Helpful of Rhys Carré to sort out the try of the year award this early

Helpful of Rhys Carré to sort out the try of the year award this early

74,611 views

This passage from England - the lack of competition in the air followed by Genge's missed tackle - is pretty astonishing.

This passage from England - the lack of competition in the air followed by Genge's missed tackle - is pretty astonishing.

62,238 views

Toulouse dishing out some filth in Durban

Toulouse dishing out some filth in Durban

157,141 views

Watched the game back. England awful (Scotland excellent) in the air. Took 38 minutes for England to win back a contested catch. Won only four out of 14 overall. Roebuck really struggled. Lots more analysis on the Substack in the morning - sign up here:

Watched the game back. England awful (Scotland excellent) in the air. Took 38 minutes for England to win back a contested catch. Won only four out of 14 overall. Roebuck really struggled. Lots more analysis on the Substack in the morning - sign up here:

39,997 views

These cross-field kicks are getting out of hand

These cross-field kicks are getting out of hand

18,377 views

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Steve Borthwick afterwards mentioned the confusion around this knock-on. Fin Smith kicked the ball away, having been told England had a penalty advantage, right as Nika Amashukeli said it was just a knock-on (after a call from the TMO) and that advantage was over. Led to Bielle-Biarrey's fourth (!) try. "I think that World Rugby needs to look at that kind of situation. You can't have the players playing with certain knowledge and then it taken away from them."
0:42
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Steve Borthwick afterwards mentioned the confusion around this knock-on. Fin Smith kicked the ball away, having been told England had a penalty advantage, right as Nika Amashukeli said it was just a knock-on (after a call from the TMO) and that advantage was over. Led to Bielle-Biarrey's fourth (!) try. "I think that World Rugby needs to look at that kind of situation. You can't have the players playing with certain knowledge and then it taken away from them."

Ben Coles

426,710 views • 2 months ago

Ah, so that's what sparked the scrap.
1:02
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Ah, so that's what sparked the scrap.

Ben Coles

998,601 views • 2 years ago

Would really encourage everyone to watch Samoa coach Ramsey Tomokino's answer to this question from Nick Heath. Forget the score. It was moving to see how much today meant to everyone connected with this Samoa side.
3:21
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Would really encourage everyone to watch Samoa coach Ramsey Tomokino's answer to this question from Nick Heath. Forget the score. It was moving to see how much today meant to everyone connected with this Samoa side.

Ben Coles

154,754 views • 9 months ago

Welsh choir, full voice, Lyon. #WALvAUS
0:40
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Welsh choir, full voice, Lyon. #WALvAUS

Ben Coles

364,915 views • 2 years ago

Don't want this Ngani Laumape spin move to be forgotten. Miracle Faiʻilagi (6) can shift too.
0:24
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Don't want this Ngani Laumape spin move to be forgotten. Miracle Faiʻilagi (6) can shift too.

Ben Coles

24,844 views • 3 months ago

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.
0:23
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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.

Ben Coles

52,776 views • 1 year ago

On the latest episode of The Rugby Bunker I'm joined by Tim Percival to discuss his new book, 'On The Record & On The Ball: How elite coaches master the media' Full episode:
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On the latest episode of The Rugby Bunker I'm joined by Tim Percival to discuss his new book, 'On The Record & On The Ball: How elite coaches master the media' Full episode:

Ben Coles

29,247 views • 8 months ago

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