Rugby Union Books

Book SynopsisThe extraordinary story of John Kendall-Carpenter â captain of the England rugby team, educationalist and godfather to the Rugby World Cup.

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Book SynopsisThe definitive account of sport's concussion crisis, how its 'dirty secret' was finally made public and what sport must now do to save itself.

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Book SynopsisJohn Devereux burst into rugby's big-time as a 19-year-old student when he terrorised a Cardiff team packed with Lions and Wales stars for his South Glam Institute side in a Welsh Cup tie. His powerful piston-pump hand-off saw him nicknamed the 'Dalek' and two months later, in January 1986, he was making his Wales debut against England. He was one of the stars of the 1987 union World Cup as Wales finished third, the nation's highest ever position in the tournament, and appeared for the British and Irish Lions before being lured to rugby league by a big-money offer exceeding GBP350,000. Devereux was a huge hit for Widnes, playing 185 games and scoring 120 tries, and Manly Sea Eagles in Australia, and became a dual-code international - scoring six tries in eight games for Great Britain, and three tries in 12 games for Wales RL. He was also the last Wales union international to appear in a RL World Cup final when he lined up for Great Britain against Australia at Wembley in 1993. Held in the highest regard by former teammates and opponents alike, John Devereux is revered by followers of rugby league and rugby union and, in his official biography, Devs, tells the fascinating story of his life in rugby.Trade Review‘Devs was big, explosive, fit and full of enthusiasm. You could see he could become something special.’ Derek Quinnell; ‘John is right up there when it comes to Welsh players making a mark on the Rugby World Cup’ Tony Gray; ‘It’s not easy to make the transition from union to league but Devs did it, and more.’ Jonathan Davies; ‘John was, without a doubt, one of the finest players to ever wear the Widnes jersey.’ Jim Mills; ‘He was a player you didn’t just play to, you also played off him.’ Sir Ian McGeechanTable of ContentsForeword by Jonathan Davies 1. 'Is There a John Devereux here?' 2. Garw Valley Boy 3. Twickenham Calling 4. Debut 5. The Brawl to End Them All 6. Accidents Will Happen 7. The Inaugural Rugby World Cup 8. The Talk of Wales 9. Lion 10. Going North 11. Surfing the Waves with Widnes 12. Wales RL 13. Tearful World Cup Final 14. Implosion at Widnes 15. Maninga and Manly 16. Wales and Samoa Go To War 17. The Toughest Fight of My Life 18. Back to Rugby Union 19. Wales, Henry and Granny-Gate 20. The Green Green Grass of Home 21. 2000 RL World Cup 22. End of the Rugby Road Career Statistics Index

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Book SynopsisHardcover and jacket gift book which names a best of the best 15-strong line-up of Australian rugby union players. Each Immortal player named is profiled in a dedicated chapter with career stats and multiple action images. There is also a group of honourable mentions and an Immortals Wallaby side. Features 100 photographs and key statistics. The Immortals of Australian Rugby Union celebrates the greatest players to wear the green and gold for the Wallabies. It takes the Immortals concept made famous elsewhere in the sporting world and applies it to the 15-playergame. Gordon Bray, the voice of rugby in Australia, chooses his XV Immortals, telling the remarkable stories behind pioneering and modern-day Wallabies.

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Book SynopsisRassie Erasmus is the Head Coach of the South African Rugby Union team and Director of Rugby, South Africa. Erasmus is well known for his outspoken opinions and tactical nous. Under his leadership, the Springboks won the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan, ending a 12-year championship drought, and successfully defended the title at the 2023 tournament in France. Erasmus has also had a successful coaching career at club level in both South Africa and Ireland. He was the head coach of Munster Rugby for several years, and during his tenure, the team reached two European Champions Cup finals.As a player, he was a leading flanker for South Africa as well as several club teams throughout his career, including Free State Cheetahs, Western Province, and Munster Rugby in Ireland. He retired from playing in 2010, and since then, he has dedicated himself to coaching. Rassie: Stories of Life and Rugby is his first book.

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Book SynopsisA hilarious and, at times, moving and soul-searching account of rugby union’s rollercoaster days in the 1990s, told through the eyes of a player who saw it all as the sport lurched shambolically from the crazy final days of amateurism into the professional era.Martin Bayfield has a story to tell. Indeed, some might describe it as a very tall story. Standing at 6ft 10ins, the former England and British and Irish Lions second row remains one of the tallest players ever to have played international rugby, and his immense physical stature made him one of the most destructive forwards in the world game. He played for England during one of the most successful eras in English rugby, winning two Grand Slams alongside legendary players such as Will Carling, Jeremy Guscott, Brian Moore and Rory Underwood. His international heyday came at a seminal moment for rugby union when, almost overnight, it was transformed from a noble minority sport to

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Book SynopsisWINNER OF THE TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR 2019''Brutally honest . . . A moving, candid tale of a coach taking the plunge with a rugby ball as his only buoyancy aid'' DAILY EXPRESS''An engrossing account of a remarkable story'' EVENING STANDARD''An excellent read covering a brilliant journey'' Sir Clive WoodwardIt is late summer 2013. Ben Ryan, a red-haired, 40-something, spectacle-wearing Englishman, is given 20 minutes to decide whether he wants to coach Fiji''s rugby sevens team, with the aim of taking them to the nation''s first-ever Olympic medal. He has never been to Fiji. There has been no discussion of contracts or salary. But he knows that no one plays rugby like the men from these isolated Pacific islands, just as no one plays football like the kids from the Brazilian favelas, or no one runs as fast as the boys and girls from Jamaica''s boondocks. He knows too that no other rugby nation has so little - no monTrade ReviewYou'll struggle to read a more compelling rugby story than this . . . heartily recommendedAn excellent read covering a brilliant journeyOne of the all-time great sporting tales . . . Good things happen to good peopleSevens Heaven by Ben Ryan is such a special book * Guardian, Best Sports Books of the Year *Brutally honest . . . A moving, candid tale of a coach taking the plunge with a rugby ball as his only buoyancy aid * Daily Express *An engrossing account of a remarkable story * Evening Standard *So many beautiful, provocative postcard descriptions of Fiji alongside fascinating, honest insights and humble lessons and truthsSevens Heaven, the story of how English coach Ben Ryan took the Fiji sevens side to Olympic gold, is the best rugby book I've ever read (I don't say that lightly) and as good as any sports book, from Mailer to Plimpton to Hauser, I've encountered in the almost sixty years since I got a Terry McLean '59 Lions tour book for Christmas. It's so good because it reads at times like a noir novel, and is stunningly open and honest. We know how the rugby ended, but Ryan's book is so gripping to tell you any other plot twists might spoil it for youWe always knew a book by Ben Ryan wouldn't be dull, but Sevens Heaven surpasses all expectations. The Londoner's "three years of enlightenment" in the South Pacific makes such enthralling reading that I unhesitatingly call this one of the best rugby books ever written * Rugby World *Entertaining and insightful * The Rugby Paper *

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Book Synopsis**Winner of the Rugby Book of the Year at the Sports Book Awards 2022**Prince Alexander Sergeevich Obolensky made his name on a cold January day at Twickenham in 1936, his achievements captured for posterity by the newsreels of the time. On his England debut, having already scored one exhilarating try, the striking blond winger collected a pass on the right and, path blocked, veered left at such a pace that a line of opponents were left grasping at thin air. It was a historic try, unrivalled in skill and speed - and it inspired England's first ever victory over the All Blacks.Born to a noble family in St Petersburg in 1916, he had been due a life of wealth and privilege, until revolution forced the Obolenskys to flee Russia. Arriving in Britain with just a handful of possessions, they were reduced to relying on handouts, little Alex's very education resting on the charity of others. But as the young boy began his new life in a strange country, it was his natural sporting ability that would bring him lasting fame. The controversial selection for England of a Russian-born prince was a huge story in the press, stirring up xenophobia as well as excitement at the 19-year-old Oxford student's sheer pace. His later exploits on and off the field would keep his name in the papers, yet Alex was destined to win only four international caps, despite touring with the Lions and appearing for the Barbarians. After joining the RAF to serve his adopted king and country, he died at the controls of a Hurricane in March 1940.Bringing a fascinating era to life, The Flying Prince explores the mystery and mythology surrounding Alexander Obolensky, and for the first time tells the full story of the sporting hero who died too young.*****'Well-researched . . . a pleasure to read. There are plenty of colourful characters' - THE TIMES'The fascinating tale of the Russian-born aristocrat who helped England beat the All-Blacks for the first time' JOHN AIZLEWOOD, I NEWS'A first biography from Hugh Godwin, rugby correspondent of the i, and a fine fist he's made of it too' - BEST RUGBY BOOKS 2021'Expertly fills in the gaps . . . Now we have a biography his story deserves' - THE RUGBY PAPERTrade ReviewA first biography from Hugh Godwin, rugby correspondent of the i, and a fine fist he's made of it too * Best Rugby Books 2021 *It is well-researched vignettes such as this, deftly side-stepping the main story, that make Hugh Godwin's tale of Obolensky a pleasure to read. There are plenty of colourful characters, such as Geoffrey Bell, Obolensky's headmaster, who was fond of making the boys take a naked cold dip in the outdoor pool every morning; or WTS Stallybrass, a sozzled Brasenose don who died falling off a train on his way back from dinner, after mistaking the carriage door for the lavatory * The Times *'Expertly fills in the gaps . . . Now we have a biography his story deserves' * The Rugby Paper *The fascinating tale of the Russian-born aristocrat who helped England beat the All-Blacks for the first time * John Aizlewood, i news *Compelling * Gavin Mairs, Telegraph *

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Book SynopsisAn All Black's memoir of rugby, dementia, and the hidden cost of success 'The best sports book I have read in decades' - Kevin Norquay, Stuff'Startlingly honest' - Phil Gifford'A brilliant read. Bold, brave and honest' - Mike Hosking, Newstalk ZBCarl Hayman, All Black #1000, once the most highly prized player in world rugby and a giant of the game in every sense - someone who was always respected, even feared. But at the end of seventeen years as a professional rugby player, the last eight played with the sole aim of setting up his family's future, Hayman's life began to unravel in nightmarish fashion.Head On is about the pressures on the modern athlete, where physical performance and commerce collide, and players become victims of their own success.Exploited then left out in the cold, Hayman is now left counting the hidden cost of the achievements that would have exceeded any young rugby player's dreams. He now fears both the known and the unknown with equal trepidation. as he looks for answers to dementia and a degenerative brain condition called CTE. In Head On, Hayman relives a remarkable rugby career, with revelations about the shock All Blacks loss to France in the 2007 Rugby World Cup, the decisions to leave New Zealand and play for the Newcastle Falcons in England, in doing so becoming one of the best-paid players on the planet, and how being put on the fast track to the All Blacks as a youngster combined with the Southern Man rugby ethos in Dunedin caused him to develop a dangerous relationship with alcohol.This book is about how we can better understand the unintended consequences of the decisions we make, and how we can better serve the next generation.

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Book SynopsisDonncha O'Callaghan is one of Ireland's leading international rugby players, and a stalwart of the Munster side. He was a key figure in the Irish team which won the IRB 6 Nations Grand Slam in 2009, and has won two Heineken Cup medals and two Magners League titles with Munster. But that success did not come easy. For such a well known player with a larger-than-life reputation, his long battle to make a breakthrough at the highest level is largely unknown. In this honest and revealing autobiography, Donncha talks in detail about the personal setbacks and disappointments at Munster and the unconventional ways he dealt with the frustration of not making the team for four of five years in his early 20s.He had a parallel experience with Ireland where it took him nearly six years to get from fringe squad member to established first choice player. Here he talks candidly about how he brought discipline to his game, and about his relationships with the coaches who had overlooked him and the second row rivals who had kept him on the bench.Donncha talks also with great warmth about a hectic childhood that was shaped by the death of his father when he was only six years old. One of the heroes of his story is his mother Marie who showed incredible strength and resourcefulness to rear a family of five on her own.Often deservedly regarded as 'the joker in the pack', what is often less well known is the serious attitude and intensely professional approach Donncha brings to his rugby. Joking Apart gives the full picture, showing sides of the man that will be unfamiliar to followers of Irish rugby and will surprise the reader.Trade ReviewAn excellent autobiography -- Matt Cooper * The Last Word *A compelling read, ... a story of glory and friendship, of fear and uncertainty and of love. Love of rugby, love of Munster, love of the life he has led * Rugby World *A bright, energetic and poignant depiction of a colourful sportsman * The Sunday Times *You can't put it down... a tremendous read, highly recommended * Irish Examiner *A inspiring story * Irish Independent *

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Book Synopsis'The most eccentric golf book ever' Sports and Leisure Magazine Golf's Strangest Rounds is an absorbing collection of bizarre tales from the lengthy annals of the sport’s history. There are stories of tragedy, eccentricity, tactical slipups and ones that defy categorization altogether – meet ‘Mysterious Montague’, for example, of the world’s best golfers but a man who refused ever to compete in a tournament. You’ll find plenty of golfing greats here – Gene Sarazen, Chip Beck, Greg Norman, Nick Faldo – all of whom have played their parts in irrational finishes, record rounds and famous freak shots. The tales within these pages are bizarre, fascinating, hilarious and, most importantly, true. This brand new edition, redesigned in splendid hardback for 2018, is the perfect gift for any golf fanatic. Word count: 45,000

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Book Synopsis All the fun of Pavilion’s bestselling Strangest series, now in quiz form! Test your rugby knowledge with this handy quiz book, packed with fun and challenging quiz questions based around the weirdest events from more than a century of rugby history. Quiz categories include: Famous Firsts and Lasts Trophy Cabinet Unexpected Interruptions Men and Women Behaving Badly Political Connections The Numbers Game Family Ties Never Mind the Weather Whether you're testing your friends, practising for pub quizzes or just reading it in an armchair, this book will take your rugby knowledge to a whole new level. Word count: 30,000 words.

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Book SynopsisArthur Gould is the definitive biography of the record-breaking Welsh international player who is widely acknowledged as the first superstar of rugby. Such was his fame and renown, that upon his tragic, early death in 1919, aged just 54, Gould's funeral in Newport was reported as the biggest Wales had ever seen. Nicknamed 'Monkey' due to his childhood fondness for climbing trees, Gould played the majority of his club rugby for Newport RFC and won a then-record 27 Welsh caps; 25 of which were at centre (a record only bettered by Steve Fenwick in 1980); and captained his country 18 times (a record only beaten in 1994 by Ieuan Evans). A true sporting sensation, when he retired in 1899 Gould had played more first-class matches and scored more tries and drop goals than any other player. Gould's superstar status was illustrated late in his career when a testimonial appeal received widespread public support and resulted in the Scottish and Irish unions cancelling their fixtures with Wales in protest at the apparent breach of the game's strict amateur ethos. The controversy deepened when the Welsh Football Union (now the WRU) stood firmly behind their iconic player and withdrew from the International Rugby Board. Fearing that lucrative fixtures with Welsh clubs might be lost and that Wales might join forces with the newly established Northern Union of professional rugby, England's Rugby Football Union brokered a 'one-off' dispensation which enabled Gould to benefit from the testimonial while retaining his amateur status, and ensured that international fixtures were resumed. Comprehensively researched and written by acclaimed rugby historian, Gwyn Prescott, with the full support and encouragement of the Gould family, Arthur Gould - Rugby's First Superstar includes over 100 illustrations and will be enjoyed by all who love rugby and treasure its sporting and cultural heritage.Trade Review'We may never have seen him play but there is no doubt that those who did regarded Arthur Gould as one of the greatest sportsmen ever to wear the red shirt of Wales. His fame extended beyond the rugby field too and it is no exaggeration to describe him as the game's first superstar. This book is a fitting tribute to Gould. Intelligent, lively and intriguing, it matches its subject in its verve. Prescott's research is meticulous and he has done Gould and the histories of rugby and Wales itself proud.' Prof Martin Johnes; 'In vividly chronicling the life of rugby's first superstar, Gwyn Prescott has combined impeccable scholarship with an assured readability to produce a terrific book that enthrallingly evokes the world in which Welsh rugby union grew from infancy towards international importance and produced, in Arthur Gould's Newport, its first great club.' Huw Richards; 'The Gould family are delighted that the complete and definitive story of Arthur's colourful life and illustrious rugby career has at last been written, and in such a brilliant manner by Gwyn Prescott.' Gareth Harvey (Great-Great-Nephew of Arthur Gould)Table of ContentsIntroduction: "Arthur Gould Stands Alone" 1. A Sequence of Chance Events 2. Bob Leads the Way 3. "Monk" Breaks Through 4. History at Crown Flatt 5. Back in the "War Paint" 6. "Newport's Football King" 7. A Testimonial for a Football Prodigy 8. The Testimonial Comes Home 9. Extra Time Afterword Gould Brothers' International Matches & Scoring Record Bibliography Index

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Book SynopsisA hilarious and, at times, moving and soul-searching account of rugby union’s rollercoaster days in the 1990s, told through the eyes of a player who saw it all as the sport lurched shambolically from the crazy final days of amateurism into the professional era.Martin Bayfield has a story to tell. Indeed, some might describe it as a very tall story. Standing at 6ft 10ins, the former England and British and Irish Lions second row remains one of the tallest players ever to have played international rugby, and his immense physical stature made him one of the most destructive forwards in the world game. He played for England during one of the most successful eras in English rugby, winning two Grand Slams alongside legendary players such as Will Carling, Jeremy Guscott, Brian Moore and Rory Underwood. His international heyday came at a seminal moment for rugby union when, almost overnight, it was transformed from a noble minority sport toTrade Review'The best raconteur in the game' -- James Haskell

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Book SynopsisSHORTLISTED FOR RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEAR AT THE 2020 TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS.''excellent'' Donald McRae, The Guardian''Gatland is the master'' Sir Ian McGeechan''Gatland is a coaching star'' Sir Clive Woodward''Gats is one of the all-time great coaches'' Sam WarburtonWarren Gatland is one of the world''s most renowned and intriguing rugby coaches of the modern era, leading Wales to four Six Nations titles, three Grand Slams and two World Cup semi-finals and masterminding two history-making tours as Head Coach of the British and Irish Lions.As he leaves his post as Head Coach of Wales at the end of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, Gatland''s definitive autobiography provides a colourful and vivid chronicle of an extraordinary three decades at rugby''s dynamic coal-face. The personal journey has been rewarding and challenging in equal measure, spanning manyTrade ReviewShortlisted for 'Rugby Book of The Year' in the Telegraph Sports Book Awards 2020

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Book SynopsisJohnny Sexton - the man who pulled the strings for the Lions - gives an intimate insight into the rugby life in Becoming a Lion.With three Heineken Cups and one British and Irish Lions tour victory under his belt, Johnny Sexton is by some distance the leading fly-half in the northern hemisphere. Over the course of the Lions'' first victorious Test series in sixteen years, Sexton was the man pulling the strings. His try in the third test was the decisive blow, and his joyous celebrations after scoring were echoed in homes across Britain and Ireland.Becoming a Lion is an intimate portrait of life at the highest levels of the professional game - at Leinster, with Ireland, and on tour with the Lions.''Bracing and fascinating in equal measure'' Malachy Clerkin, Irish Times''Riveting ... Opens a remarkable window into the stresses, hurts and insecurities of a professional life in rugby'' Vincent Hogan, Irish Independent''Captures all the jagged edges that make Sexton one of Irish sport''s most compelling characters'' Sunday Times''Sets a great benchmark for sports autobiographies, given that it is so honest'' Matt Cooper, Today FM''Engrossing'' Rugby World Ireland''If you crave an insight into the life of a professional rugby player ... Becoming a Lion is a must'' Donal Lenihan, Irish Examiner''Intensely revealing'' Irish Daily MailTrade ReviewRiveting ... Opens a remarkable window into the stresses, hurts and insecurities of a professional life in rugby -- Vincent Hogan * Irish Independent *Bracing and fascinating in equal measure -- Malachy Clerkin * Irish Times *It really sets for a great benchmark for sports autobiographies, given that it is so honest -- Matt Cooper * Today FM *Captures all the jagged edges that make Sexton one of Irish sport's most compelling characters * Sunday Times *Engrossing * Rugby World Ireland *If you crave an insight into the life of a professional rugby player ... Becoming a Lion is a must -- Donal Lenihan * Irish Examiner *Intensely revealing * Irish Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'People think they know him but unless you read this book you will never know the REAL Alun Wyn Jones' – Warren Gatland‘One of the greatest, and seemingly indestructible, players in history' – A Daily Mail Book of the YearBelonging is the story about how the boy from Mumbles became the most capped rugby union player of all time. It is the story of what it takes to become a man who is seen by many as one of the greatest ever Welsh players. What it takes to go from sitting cross-legged on the hall floor at school watching the 1997 Lions tour of South Africa, to being named the 2021 Lions captain.But is it also about perthyn – belonging: playing for Wales, working his way through the age grades and club rugby and his regional side. How to earn the right to be there, and what it feels like to make the sacrifices along the way. Feeling the connection to players who have come before, and feeling the ties to the millions in front rooms and pubs across the country, coast to coast. Knowing that deep down you want to belong, as everyone does.From playing on the rain-swept pitches of Swansea to making his test debut against Argentina in Patagonia in 2006; from touring with the Lions in 2009, 2013, 2017 and 2021 to dealing with loss and creating a family – Belonging is the autobiography of one of the most compelling figures in world rugby. Told with characteristic honesty, this is his unique personal story of what it takes and what it means to play for your country: what it means to belong.

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Book SynopsisPraise for Eddie Jones‘A genuine super-coach’ – The Sunday Times‘His gifts of leadership and organisation are remarkable’ – The Daily MailEddie Jones is one of the most successful sports coaches of all time. From coaching three different nations to Rugby World Cup finals and enjoying a winning record with England of nearly 80 per cent, he knows what’s needed to lead and manage high performance teams. For the first time, Eddie reveals what it takes to operate in high pressure environments, the successes and setbacks, and how these lessons can be applied to every walk of life, from coaching a children’s sports team to leading a multinational organization to simply doing your job better.Forthright and unflinchingly honest, Eddie Jones reveals what he has learnt from Sir Alex Ferguson, Arsène Wenger and Pep Guardiola, as well as from the founder of Uniqlo and Ron Adams of the NBA. Drawing on stories from nearly thirty years of coaching, Eddie explains how you need humour, humility and relentless curiosity to lead an eclectic mix of superstars – from Maro Itoje to James Haskell, George Smith to Kyle Sinckler – and create teams that are relentlessly hungry to win. Leadership is the ultimate rugby book about what it takes to be the best.Written with Donald McRae, two-time winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award, Leadership is the book for anyone who wants to learn how to build and lead a team to success.

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Book SynopsisYou’re not born with resilience but you can find it on the journey with hard work, belief and the help of those around you.Gareth Thomas has learned to push on even when everything seems most futile. His willingness to expose his deepest emotional frailties as a man and come through even stronger as a result has made him a national hero. In the Sunday Times Bestseller PROUD, Gareth focused closely on the intense experience of coming out in a very public arena of global sport. STRONGER is the broader story of how Gareth has managed to deal with the adversity life has thrown at him across the years, from childhood to his most recent gruelling announcement that he was HIV positive.Trade ReviewI've always like you but I love you for this - thought this book was completely amazing -- Chris EvansBeautiful parts, powerful parts ... will definitely make you think -- Nihal Arthanayake * BBC Radio 5 Live *Compelling -- Donald McCrae * Guardian *

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Book Synopsis'A genuine presence on the field, Owen refereed with the perfect balance of respect and authority' Keith Wood'Highly respected with vast experience and knowledge, Owen Doyle contributed hugely to the world of rugby refereeing, both on and off the field' Nigel Owens'Owen Doyle was a highly respected referee who officiated matches with passion, commitment, knowledge and, occasionally, some great humour' Will CarlingWith a foreword by Donal Lenihan.Owen Doyle is an Irish Times columnist and former Irish rugby Test match referee. Here in his frank, revealing and often humorous memoir, The Ref's Call, he gives a behind-the-scenes glimpse into the high-pressured world of international rugby.From the processes involved in becoming a referee, to officiating in the Five Nations, touring Internationals and a World Cup, Doyle takes us through the most memorable matches of his career and how, following his retirement, he became instrumental in coaching the most successful generation of referees in the IRFU's history.Covering over forty years of rugby, and written in his own inimitable style, Doyle looks at the challenges facing modern rugby, particularly the issues of concussion and dementia, to give a fascinating insight into the great game, told from a unique perspective.

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Book SynopsisRugby Union as a sport has seen continual evolution over the years, and never more so than since the game officially became professional in 1995. While on the pitch tactics have seen more formalized approaches to skill acquisition, it is off the pitch where the biggest changes have occurred and no area has developed more than strength and conditioning. Players have gone from traditionally training for 'fitness' as an add-on to their rugby training to seeking out structured athletic training interventions. Furthermore, with modern rugby players being physically bigger and faster, the need to ensure that they are more robust and free from injury has led to the demand for a more scientific approach to the prescription of strength and conditioning. In Strength and Conditioning for Rugby Union, ex-international player Joel Brannigan presents the underpinning science of strength and conditioning in rugby. Using the fundamental principles of training, he details a structure of assessing rugby players that in turn will allow appropriate training inverventions to be planned out and, most importantly, coached to a wide range of rugby playing levels.

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Book Synopsis'I never set out to take the lead. It just happened - like MND itself. But we are making a fight of it.'DODDIE WEIRIn the five years since Doddie Weir's MND diagnosis, he has continued to live life to the max. He's raised millions for research and support for his fellow sufferers with the help of some incredible charity fundraisers, celebrated his 50th birthday and been awarded an OBE. And throughout it all, Doddie has tackled life head on, like the mad charging giraffe he has always been, both on and off the rugby pitch.Now, join Doddie as he lifts the lid on what his life with MND has really been like, both in public and in private. Being Doddie, there's always lots of laughter and an incredibly positive attitude, but it's also a rollercoaster of emotions. It's a battle Doddie will continue to tackle with his trademark dignity and legendary humour. And it's a fight he remains determined to win.

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Book SynopsisPeter Bills is a former rugby columnist for both the Irish Independent and Belfast Telegraph and the author of 22 books, including Passion in Exile: 100 years of London Irish RFC. He is also the author of the 2018 worldwide best-selling book on the New Zealand All Blacks The Jersey, which reached No. 1 in New Zealand's bestseller lists and No. 2 in Ireland. His most recent book is Le Coq - A Journey to the Heart of French Rugby.

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Book SynopsisVoices from the Back of the Bus provides a rare behind-the-scenes look at international rugby at the height of a golden period. Recounted with genuine warmth and much humour, over a hundred players recall the scrapes, the games, the laughs, the glory and the gritty reality of the pre-professional game.Packed with true rugby tales from the days when men played purely for the love of the game and of their nation, and multimillion-pound contracts and sponsorship deals were unheard of, this refreshing, revealing and often hilarious collection will inspire sports fans of all generations.

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Book SynopsisThe laws of rugby are as extensive as they are confusing, their nuances and interpretations argued over relentlessly by rugby fans around the world and virtually impenetrable to those who are new to the game. In an effort to provide some much-needed clarity, Paul Williams takes an irreverent, hilarious, p*ss-taking tour through the labyrinth that is rugby's rule book – or, for the pedantic, rugby’s law book. Hilarious, off-beat and (surprisingly) insightful, this is the perfect gift for rugby fans all around the world.

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Book SynopsisUpdated edition featuring a brand new afterword?A terrific book. No one put their body on the line quite like Sam Warburton.?Brian O?Driscoll?It was an absolute privilege to play against Sam. An inspiring leader with an equally inspiring story to tell.?Jonny WilkinsonTrade Review ‘A terrific book. No one put their body on the line quite like Sam Warburton.’ Brian O’Driscoll ‘It was an absolute privilege to play against Sam. An inspiring leader with an equally inspiring story to tell.’ Jonny Wilkinson ‘I'm so accustomed to doing these rugby/football book serialisations and most of the time am left somewhat underwhelmed. But from start to finish I feel Warburton really delivers. Really candid, takes you inside the dressing room, behind the scenes anecdotes few know about and nicely written in chatty fashion.’ Head of Sport, WalesOnline ‘He will go down as one of the great players but an even better captain for his ability to exhort his team-mates to new heights.’ Rugby World ‘[An] impressive memoir… Warburton’s account of his career, cut short by persistent injuries at the age of 29, is full of passion and candour and takes the reader right into the dressing room.’ The Times

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Book SynopsisThis paperback edition has been fully updated to include the 2013 Six Nations and the British and Irish Lions Tour.What does rugby mean to Wales? Where does the heart of Welsh rugby lie? In Calon, Owen Sheers takes a personal journey into a sport that defines a nation. Drawing on interviews and unprecedented access with players and WRU coaching staff, Calon presents an intimate portrait of a national team in the very best tradition of literary sports writing. At the 2011 Rugby World Cup a young Welsh side captained by the 22-year-old Sam Warburton, captured the imagination of the rugby-watching world. Exhibiting the grit and brilliance of generations past, an ill-fated semi-final ended in heartbreak. But a fledgling squad playing with the familiarity of brothers had sent out an electrifying message of hope: could this be a third golden generation of Welsh rugby? It was with this question hanging in the air that Owen Sheers took up his position as Writer in Residence for the Welsh Rugby Union. Calon is the document of a year spent at the heart of Welsh rugby; the inside story of a 6 Nations campaign that galvanised a nation and ended in Grand Slam success for the third time in 8 years.

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Book SynopsisAs a Premiership, World Cup and Grand Slam winner, no one better embodies the charisma and the colour of English rugbys greatest era than Lawrence Dallaglio. He has some story to tell, not just of the formidable exploits on the field, but an extraordinary life off it. His only sister, Francesca, was the youngest to perish in the Marchioness disaster and her death at 19 remains the great sadness of his life. In addition to this and his much-talked about England exploits, he also led his club Wasps to the summit of European rugby, winning two Heineken Cups and three consecutive English Premiership titles. Full of drama, controversy and great sadness, Lawrence Dallaglios story the last of the great World Cup heroes is the one every rugby fan has been waiting to read.Trade Review'Uncontrollably frank...a terrific book' * Daily Telegraph *'Dallaglio, as befits his hardman persona, takes no prisoners' * Guardian *'One of the best autobiographies of the year... beautifully written' * Daily Telegraph *'It's top' * Jeremy Clarkson, Top Gear *'Never less than compelling' * Mariella Frostrup, The Book Show *'By no means just for rugby heads' * Evening Standard *'An engaging tale' * Daily Express *'lucid, detailed and frank' * The Times *'Conveyed with the right balance of truth and delicacy: there is nothing prurient, yet the emotional passages are extremely moving, which is not something you can say about many rugby books' * Daily Telegraph *'The story of a true English sporting hero, albeit a flawed one for whom tragedy as well as disgrace has been a companion. Pretty much everything is confronted head on, exactly as Dallaglio played, indeed plays' * Daily Mail *

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Book Synopsis'Extraordinary . . . great fun' Barry Egan, Irish Sunday Independent'A wonderful story . . . vivid and comprehensive.' Stephen Jones, Sunday Times''Throughout it all though there is a feeling of warmth for the sport and for others. Above all there is a sense of achievement . . . Best was never one of the glamour boys, but he deserves star billing.' Daily TelegraphRory Best is widely-regarded as one of Ireland's greatest ever captains. Entrusted by Joe Schmidt to lead the side that looked on the wane following the 2015 World Cup, Best's inspirational leadership skills and abrasive qualities proved to be the foundation stones for the most successful period in Ireland's history.His first year in charge saw Ireland complete a hat-trick of victories against the southern hemisphere 'Big Three', including leading his side to a first ever victory over world champions New Zealand in Chicago, a feat that etched Best's place in Irish sporting folklore and ended the All Blacks' record-winning streak of 18 Test victories.Ireland's annus mirabilis under Best's captaincy would come in 2018 however, when he led the side to only their third Grand Slam title, culminating with a famous victory over England at Twickenham, and a record-breaking run of 12 successive Test victories.When he stepped down as Ireland captain at the age of 37 following the World Cup in Japan, his fourth tournament, history will no doubt also judge Best to be one of their greatest forwards.A hugely-popular figure across the game, Best finished his career as Ireland's most capped forward, behind only Brian O'Driscoll and Ronan O'Gara in the all-time records, and also made over 200 appearances for his province Ulster.

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Book SynopsisThe Little Book of Wales Rugby is the latest volume in this highly successful series of sports-themed quotes books. Focusing on the mots justes from the great players of the past 50 years. Includes quotes from many Welsh rugby giants, plus from players, coaches, journalists and fans from every era when the Welsh dragon was rampant. Trade ReviewALSO IN THIS SERIES The Little Book of England Rugby The Little Book of Ireland Rugby The Little Book of Scotland RugbyTable of ContentsIntroduction. The Wales way. Five and Six Nations days. Forward thinking. Coaches' chatter. Famous days. Backs to the future. On the jolly.

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Book SynopsisBook 9 in the acclaimed Rugby Spirit seriesEoin's been promoted early to the Senior Cup team where he's the youngest ever player and he's not sure if he's ready for it.A discovery from the earliest days of Irish rugby brings more ghostly encounters for Eoin and leads him and his friends to tackle a series of crimes at the national stadium.

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Book SynopsisTHE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER and must-read book for the Rugby World Cup 2023.England have been in four Rugby World Cup finals and only won one of them. In 2003, this team was the one that did it. And this is their story in their words.The image of Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute winning drop goal is etched deep into the nation's consciousness - everyone knows where they were during that iconic moment on the 22nd November 2003. Twenty years on, with their achievement still unmatched, the affection and respect this band of brothers command is as great as ever. There is still no modern player as beloved as Jonny Wilkinson, no captain as celebrated and respected as Martin Johnson, and no coach as revered as Sir Clive Woodward. And there is no one with the aura and drive of Lawrence Dallaglio.In The Boys of Winter, Dallaglio and writer Owen Slot tell the inside story of England's triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup through interviews with those involved, revealing how the team planned it and executed it; the iconic memories as well as the unseen moments.But what has become of those heroes of our youth? This book also tells the story of how the tournament has shaped the lives of those involved, for better or worse. For many it was the pinnacle, for some a missed opportunity and for others a curse from which they never recovered.- Includes never-before-seen interviews with the squad and coaching staff- Reveals how the team planned and executed the 2003 Rugby World Cup win- Uncovers for the first time the impact of the achievement on the players- Explores why this success has never been repeatedThis is the definitive account of a legendary sporting moment and an examination of the costs of our dreams.

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Book SynopsisFrom the founding of Ireland's first national team in 1875 to the Grand Slam winners of today.

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Book SynopsisRugby union has undergone immense change in the past two decades - introducing a World Cup, accepting professionalism and creating a global market in players - yet no authoritative English-language general history of the game has been published in that time. Until now. A Game for Hooligans brings the game's colourful story up to date to include the 2007 World Cup. It covers all of the great matches, teams and players but also explores the social, political and economic changes that have affected the course of rugby's development. It is an international history, covering not only Britain and France but also the great rugby powers of the southern hemisphere and other successful rugby nations, including Argentina, Fiji and Japan. Contained within are the answers to many intriguing questions concerning the game, such as why 1895 is the most important date in both rugby-union and rugby-league history and how New Zealand became so good and have remained so good for so long. There is also a wealth of anecdotes, including allegations of devil-worship at a Welsh rugby club and an account of the game's contribution to the Cuban Revolution. This is a must-read for any fan of the oval ball.Trade ReviewAn ambitious project, triumphantly realised * Independent on Sunday *Crammed with fact and leavened with anecdote . . . an utterly reliable guide * Daily Telegraph *Huw Richards has managed to distil the very essence of rugby union history into this one volume . . . an excellent chronicle * The Independent *Magnificent * The Times *Engagingly quirky * Publishing News *

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Book SynopsisThe origins of the game of rugby and the codification of the rules which defined the game have been glorified in numerous legends, some of which are little more than sporting hagiography. Following on from the success of The Rules of Association Football 1863 and in time for the Rugby World Cup in September – October 2007, this book investigates the origins of the game of rugby and reproduces for the first time in a single book both the first rules of the game, drawn up at Rugby School in 1845 and the first rules of the Rugby Football Union, published in 1871. The introduction by Jed Smith, the curator of the Rugby Football Museum in Twickenham, will provide the first systematic exploration of the origin of the rules of the game and their development. Includes images from the unique manuscript held at the Rugby Football Union as well as nineteenth-century illustrations of the game as it was first played, capturing its early spirit and enthusiasm.

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Book SynopsisIrish Sports Book Award 2021 Winner! Fight Or Flight: My Life, My Choices is the autobiography of Irish rugby legend Keith Earls. Keith Earls started out in senior rugby as a teenage star and during the course of his long career has become one of the most admired and respected players of his generation. A British & Irish Lion at the age of 21, he is now closing in on his 34th birthday and still playing at the top of his game. He has won 93 caps for Ireland and played over 180 games in the famous red of Munster. He started every match of the 2018 Six Nations campaign that culminated in an Irish Grand Slam victory. A lethal finisher blessed with a sprinter’s speed, Earls is the second-highest try scorer of all time for his country. With Munster he is one try short of the all-time total and looks set to break that record next season. Yet, Earls has achieved these milestones whilst being racked by private battles with his mental health for most of his career. A number of crises brought him to the brink of voluntary retirement from the game. A native of Limerick city, Earls grew up in one of its most socially disadvantaged housing estates. Moyross was blighted by crime and violence and he did not escape unscathed from the surrounding fear and trauma visited upon his beloved community. His natural talent brought him into the privileged bastion of elite rugby union. His autobiography tells the story of his long struggle to reconcile the world whence he came with the world opened up by his brilliance with an oval ball. Earls has maintained a low profile throughout his career. For the first time he will talk in depth and at length about the inner turmoil that went unseen by team-mates, friends and fans. It is a confessional, intimate and courageous story of the pain that was a constant companion to the glory. Earls says: “It’s not me at all to be doing anything remotely like an autobiography. I don’t like talking about myself, I don’t like bringing attention to myself. And I guess that’s one reason why I am doing it. We’re supposed to get out of our comfort zone. I’ve learned enough along the way to know that much. It’s where your progress and growth happens. I hope if I can share some of my life experiences here, it might inspire others.”

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Book Synopsis''A century of sporting and human historydistilled with warmth and wisdom'' Mark Palmer, The TimesIn 1925, Scotland played their first ever game at Murrayfield Stadium. They opened this new home with a landmark result, defeating England with a late drop-goal to secure their first Grand Slam title. This was the first in a long line of epic encounters to have taken place on that hallowed ground over the next century.In This is Murrayfield, celebrated rugby writers Peter Burns and Rob Robertson curate 100 of the most memorable, significant and sometimes quirky fixtures to have been played at Murrayfield over the last 100 years. Gorgeously illustrated with black and white and colour photography throughout, this is an insightful, fun and fascinating record of some of the greatest moments in Scottish rugby history.

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Book SynopsisThe Rugby Almanack is the world’s longest running rugby book of record. It was first published in 1935 to cover the previous season’s first-class rugby in New Zealand. Since then it has been published uninterrupted (apart from two combined issues during World War II). Now in its 85th edition, the 2021 Rugby Almanack records another huge year, including the All Blacks in the Rugby Championship and the Bledisloe Cup, plus Women’s Rugby, Super Rugby, Mitre 10 Cup and Mitre 10 Championship and a full summary of sevens rugby.

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Book SynopsisTHE MOST SUCCESSFUL CAPTAIN IN WORLD RUGBY HISTORY, IN HIS OWN WORDSRichie McCaw, Rugby World Cup winning captain and the New Zealand All Black's most capped player of all time, is unquestionably the greatest player of his generation. He is arguably the most talented player of all time.In his bestselling autobiography, McCaw talks with brutal honesty about the roots of his family life that defined his character and how it gave him the strength to emerge from the lowest moment in his career to lift the Webb Ellis Cup, and become the most successful captain world rugby has ever seen.As the first captain to successfully defend the World Cup, McCaw has set the standard of what a professional rugby player should be. Hugely popular and respected, his sheer presence means that he is a natural leader both on and off the pitch and his story is not just a brutal account of life on the front line, but an exhilarating portrait of modern rugby.Trade Review‘His story is not just a brutal account of life on the front line, but an exhilarating portrait of modern rugby.’'McCaw's book offers an intriguing and unflinching insight into leading the All Blacks in a home World Cup' ‘Beautifully written. Sports bios are usually droll affairs. This one is different.’'McCaw's book offers an intriguing and unflinching insight into leading the All Blacks in a home World Cup'‘Thanks to one of the finer rugby brains of all time and some excellent wording from co-writer Greg McGee, a riveting rugby read it most definitely is.’ ‘Beautifully written. Sports bios are usually droll affairs. This one is different.’‘His story is not just a brutal account of life on the front line, but an exhilarating portrait of modern rugby.’

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Book SynopsisShortlisted for the 2024 Illustrated Sports Book of the YearLaunched as rugby hit fever pitch at the 2023 World Cup, Remarkable Rugby Grounds is the perfect title for the passionate rugby fan who will be astonished at the worldwide reach of their favourite game.Remarkable Rugby Grounds continues the blend of earlier Remarkables' by mixing some of the world's cathedrals of rugby with some of the quirky club grounds and local pitches set in beautiful locations.We travel Around the World in 80 pitches' with grounds in Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Hong Kong, Japan, Alaska, Argentina, Romania, along with the Six Nations venues.Apart from Aviva Stadium/Lansdowne Road in Dublin (which has a train running beneath the grandstand), the Principality Stadium in Cardiff, Murrayfield and Twickenham, there are the genteel splendours of Bath's Recreation Ground nestling alongside the River Avon or the historic home of Richmond FC one of the founding clubs of English rugby.Featuring 80 of theTrade Review‘While cricket and football stadiums have long been revered and celebrated, rugby grounds haven’t been given quite the same level of adulation – until now. Ryan Herman seeks to redress the sporting imbalance, selecting 80 rugby grounds to fawn over.’ — Pitch Magazine ‘A beautiful collection of some of the most magnificent places to watch and play rugby.’— Phil Caplan, TALKSPORT ‘A resplendent coffee-table book.’— RugbyWorld

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Book Synopsis**WINNER British Sports Book Awards SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR****Shortlisted for the William Hill Sports Book of the Year Award**Gareth Thomas had it all. Gareth’s inspiring and moving story transcends the world of sport to tell a universal truth about feeling like an outsider, and facing up to who you really are.Trade ReviewAstonishingly powerful * The Times *Proud offers an enthralling insight into a world and a struggle to which we are rarely given access… Thomas’ story is a harrowing reminder that sportsmen are as vulnerable as the rest of us… The honesty with which Thomas presents his many dark moments makes this an absolute must-read. An eye-opening glimpse into the inner turmoil of a national hero * Sport Magazine *Inspiring and moving * Daily Telegraph *Sensational * Rugby World *Achingly honest * Guardian *

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