@robkitson

The Guardian's rugby union correspondent. Author of Around the World in 80 Minutes: In Search of Rugby Greatness and Exe Men.

linktr.ee/80minutes
Joined January 2011
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  • Followers12.3K
No dogs this time. Just my sincere thanks to all the contributors and everyone involved at @BloomsburySport & @DLuxAssociates for helping to bring this book to life. If you like your rugby, (or know someone else who does), this is for you. Thank you. linktr.ee/80minutes
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Give me strength...
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What can England do to enhance their 2027 World Cup prospects? This week's Breakdown column... theguardian.com/sport/2026/o…

The Breakdown | England need to unearth World Cup core despite derby friction and injury chaos

England’s Nations Championship games against Australia and Japan should be the end of experimentation for Steve Borthwick

theguardian.com
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Great game at Kingsholm, for the second week in a row. Great to hear the Shed roaring again...
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Interesting stuff from Bruce Craig on the lessons he's learned @BathRugby, the future of the @ChampionsCup and possible additions to @premrugby ... theguardian.com/sport/2026/o…

‘We want the best league in the world’: Bath’s Bruce Craig on 16 years at the Rec

Bath’s co-owner and ‘wily old fox’ tells Robert Kitson why the Champions Cup needs to change and considers the future of the Prem

theguardian.com
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It's raining tries...which will suit Toulouse & Bordeaux just fine. This week's Breakdown column.... theguardian.com/sport/2026/o…

Champions Cup has a jeopardy problem: can anyone stop the Top 14 giants?

A seventh consecutive French title looks likely with lopsided odds again favouring Toulouse and Bordeaux-Bègles

theguardian.com
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Much enjoyed talking 4th XV rugby, lighting improvements in olde London and Test rugby ambitions with @fitz_harding. With thanks to @BristolBears media team. theguardian.com/sport/2026/o…

‘I don’t think anyone really saw it coming. I didn’t’: meet Bristol’s World Cup hopeful Fitz Harding

The 27-year-old flanker confounded expectations leaping from Durham university’s fourth XV to Prem rugby captain – don’t bet against his big England ambitions

theguardian.com
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Exactly a year ago...many thanks again to all those who made it happen and came along to watch. @ExeterNorthcott @ExeterChiefs
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Robert Kitson retweeted
Mike Pearce@MPsportsdragonOct 6
Sporting Cities is now out & available on Amazon. It is about much more than what happens inside a stadium. It’s about the places, people and culture travel neighbourhood cafés & traditions & experiencing the atmosphere of a packed stadiums Bu here £7.99 amzn.eu/d/01yeX1s4
🤖 Made with AI
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The most inspirational #rugby teams of them all...this week's #Breakdown column theguardian.com/sport/2026/o…

The Breakdown | From France to Old Reigatians: the most inspiring sides in rugby history

The most memorable teams aren’t always the the most famous – and the key ingredients have remained the same for many years

theguardian.com
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Robert Kitson retweeted
Richmond Rugby@RichmondFC1861Oct 3
𝗔𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗶𝗲𝗱 𝘂𝗽 𝗮𝘁 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗯𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗸 🤝 #RugbysOriginal💛❤️🖤
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Richmond Rugby@RichmondFC1861Oct 2
🚨𝗧𝗘𝗔𝗠 𝗡𝗘𝗪𝗦🚨 ✨ Your Richmond side that take on Worcester Warriors in a Ladies Day Fixture ⏰ KO 3pm 🎟️ Get your tickets now #RugbysOriginal💛❤️🖤
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Criminology, cakes and Spanish football shirts...much enjoyed talking to Manny Iyogun of @SaintsRugby and @EnglandRugby theguardian.com/sport/2026/o…

‘They said I ran away from rucks’: Emmanuel Iyogun on going from reluctant prop to England debut

Northampton star on his tenacious rise to the international ranks – and eating ‘massive cakes’ with Springbok colossus Ox Nché

theguardian.com
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A big year looming for the players of @HongKongRugby, who will face @wallabies and @AllBlacks at @rugbyworldcup in 12 months' time... theguardian.com/sport/2026/s…

The Breakdown | Hong Kong China’s minnows relish a Rugby World Cup baptism of fire

The debutants will face Australia and All Blacks and full-back Paul Altier admits he and his teammates are more used to ‘watching it as fans’

theguardian.com
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Bonkers, bonkers game in Perth. Leaving aside the officiating chaos, a hugely encouraging result for the Wallabies...
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Early days, clearly, but @SaintsRugby already looking sharp...on-the-whistle report from Franklin's Gardens. theguardian.com/sport/2026/s…

Freeman and Pater inspire Northampton to opening win against Newcastle

Tommy Freeman and James Pater both scored hat-tricks as Northampton began their Prem title defence with a 59-26 victory against Newcastle

theguardian.com
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Enjoy the @premrugby season. Hopefully there'll be more to talk about than certain people's hairstyles...
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Ahead of the new @premrugby season, some interesting updates from chief exec Simon Massie Taylor and head of growth Rob Calder... theguardian.com/sport/2026/s…

The Breakdown | The Prem at 30: are all the fights and mistakes out of the way?

English club rugby enters its fourth decade determined to meet its challenges with more high-profile investment deals and expansion

theguardian.com
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Let's hear it for the new @Champrugby season...with thanks to @Dean_Richards_ and @DoncasterKnight theguardian.com/sport/2026/s…

‘In almost every French game, there’s theatre’: Dean Richards on bringing joie de vivre back to...

Doncaster Knights’ new director of rugby tells Robert Kitson about his passion for the Champ, who Steve Borthwick should pick from overseas and why he wants players to have a bit of fun

theguardian.com
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Wednesday night lights...
Clubber Rugby
@clubberrugbySep 17
Clubber TV 🤝 BUCS Super Rugby Watch all 144 BUCS Super Rugby games LIVE on Clubber TV 🍿 📺 clubbertv.co.uk | @BUCSSuperRugby
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Smart, purposeful second half performance by the All Blacks. Tactical implosion from the indisciplined world champions. Fascinating start to this four-Test series. #RSANZL
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