Paul Hayward

Lewis Moody: Former England captain reveals motor neurone disease diagnosis Former England captain Lewis Moody reveals he has been diagnosed with motor neurone disease in an exclusive BBC interview.

Doddie Weir, Rob Burrow, Ed Slater, Lewis Moody, in the UK alone.
Only the science can say whether there's a direct causal link between rugby and MND (a 2022 University of Glasgow study found increased risk.)
All people with MND need more funding to find a cure.
www.bbc.co.uk/sport/rugby-...

Very kind of you. And I'm struck by your experience of the tournament. All the best.

Thank you.

27 July - Lionesses win the Euro, again.
27 Sept - Red Roses win the World Cup.
My piece from Twickenham on a stellar 60 days for English women's sport.

Let's face it. The Ryder Cup attracts some seriously obnoxious spectators.

Pep Guardiola isn’t losing his religion, but it’s time to... Pep-ball helped consign the worst bits of the ‘English way’ to history, but tactics have shifted again

How Pep Guardiola has led the retreat from his own idea...
My column for @theobserveruk.bsky.social on the end of possession for possession's sake.
observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

The tight circle of victory and the slouch of defeat as England's women reflect on their World Cup final win over Canada.
A wonderful day to end a fine tournament.

An astonishingly good atmosphere here at the Women's Rugby World Cup final between England and Canada.
82,500 at Twickenham. A triumph for women's sport.

How Ryder Cup rivalry was born: ball tampering, 'underdog' Seve & The War on The Shore Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 24/09/2025 · 31m

As Europe face Trump's America in New York, 'How It All Played Out' returns to the 'War on the Shore' and the 'Battle of Brookline' to explain Ryder Cup golf's journey to the dark side.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social for Global
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

Trump found his epitaph when he called climate change "the greatest con job ever perpetrated on the world."
A distillation of who and what he is.

How It All Played Out: Ricky Hatton v Kostya Tszyu: The night The Hitman shocked the world After the tragic passing of Ricky Hatton, this week's bonus episode of How It All Played Out takes you back to the defining fight of his career. On June 4 2005 a raucous crowd in Manchester watched...

This week's 'How It All Played Out' is on the making and breaking of Ricky Hatton after a night of delirium in Manchester.
Contains reflections on sportsmen and women losing their way when the cheering stops.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social for Global

podfollow.com/1811806941/e...

Today's Observer front page...

You certainly did Oli. Yes, I was just talking around that specific quote. One trophy in eight years is a big comedown for him. Maybe being anti-ideas is the big idea he's "died" with.

Can see Mourinho's point here. How can a manager justify having only one idea?
But he's "died" a few times with his ideas too. His negativity ultimately cost him a few jobs.

Coe vs Ovett: Moscow 1980 & The rivalry that divided a nation Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 16/09/2025 · 35m

The rivalry that divided a nation into Coe and Ovett camps.
The odd couple, and their great duels, in this week's 'How It All Played Out,' by me and Mark Pougatch for Global.

podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

‘Push back – or they’ll eat you alive’: James Cromwell on life as Hollywood’s biggest troublemaker He marched against the Vietnam war, supported the Black Panthers, has protested over animal rights, ended up in prison after a climate sit-in – and starred in Babe, LA Confidential and Succession. He ...

Great read...
www.theguardian.com/film/2025/se...

Your public services are in ruins, and your kids will pay 50% of their income in rent, but observe the flypast over Windsor Castle for Donald Trump, as the UK conspires in all his deeds.
Even he can probably see what actors we are.

If they say "unprecedented second state visit" one more time.....

Coe vs Ovett: Moscow 1980 & The rivalry that divided a nation Podcast Episode · How It All Played Out · 16/09/2025 · 35m

This week's 'How It All Played Out' revisits British sport's greatest rivalry - Coe v Ovett. A tale of opposites, in character and talent, who turned the 1980 Moscow Olympics into their private duelling ground.
By me and @markpougatch.bsky.social for Global...
podcasts.apple.com/gb/podcast/h...

Ricky Hatton, the Mancunian everyman who became world cha... Boxer’s popularity spoke of an affinity for the values of relatability and rootedness

- "Have you got it in you?"

- "Fucking right I've got it in me."

How Ricky Hatton became Manchester's municipal gladiator - a spokesman for a culture and a spirit.

My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Ricky Hatton, the Mancunian everyman who became world cha... Boxer’s popularity spoke of an affinity for the values of relatability and rootedness

- "Have you got it in you?"

- "Fucking right I've got it in me."

How Ricky Hatton became Manchester's municipal gladiator - a spokesman for a culture and a spirit.

My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Racing is a proper industry with history and a soul that ... For once the sport united to resist the threat of a ruinous tax increase, but its entrenched relationship with the bookies leaves it dangerously vulnerable

How a tax threat forced horse racing to stop infighting - and why it deserves protection.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Thanks Simon. I value your approval.

Racing is a proper industry with history and a soul that ... For once the sport united to resist the threat of a ruinous tax increase, but its entrenched relationship with the bookies leaves it dangerously vulnerable

How a tax threat forced horse racing to stop infighting - and why it deserves protection.
My commentary for @theobserveruk.bsky.social

observer.co.uk/news/sport/a...

Well said, Kev. Just wish he'd found life less difficult after being such a bright light to his followers.

Horrible to see Ricky Hatton go so young (46).
A warm, charismatic, funny and vulnerable man.
On those big Manchester fight nights he electrified the city. He was a world champion with the strongest local roots. An all-action fighter and character, gone too soon.

You too Lucy. Always a pleasure.

On the trains to London today there were people in MAGA hats. On mine a bloke had a Crusader's shield and talked about "the communists."
British people have an endless capacity to be conned.
It's getting very serious now..

Evidence in this second-half of how useful Eze is going to be to Arsenal. Always looking to set others up, and happy to use his creativity to do it.

Ethan Nwaneri: what a talent. Neat, quick and positive since coming on for Arsenal against Forest.