Unlock the Mental Edge: Transform Your Rugby PerformanceAre you ready to take your rugby game to the next level? Mental Fitness for Rugby Players is your go-to guide for mastering the mental side of the sport. In a game where confidence, focus, and quick decision-making are key, developing mental resilience is just as crucial as physical training. This book breaks down essential sports psychology techniques—like visualization, goal setting, positive self-talk, mindfulness, and emotional regulation—into practical, user-friendly language designed for athletes striving to reach their full potential.Featuring exclusive stories and tips from rugby legends like Dan Carter, Jonny Wilkinson, Antoine Dupont, and Portia Woodman, this guide shows you how the best in the game have mastered their mindset. Learn how to build resilience and grit to overcome setbacks, handle pressure, and stay motivated no matter the challenge. With effective pre-game routines and reflective practices, you’ll manage nerves and continuously learn from each performance. Backed by real-life examples and cutting-edge sports science, this book bridges the gap between knowledge and action.Packed with over thirty applicable activities, Mental Fitness for Rugby Players equips you with the tools you need to thrive both on and off the field. Whether you want to dominate on game day, build unshakeable confidence, or simply enjoy the sport more, this book will help you develop the mindset of a champion. Read more

The extraordinary memoir of the sporting icon, devoted friend to Rob Burrow, and fundraising hero who has inspired the nation in his fight against MNDWINNER OF THE 2024 SPORTS BESTSELLER AWARD AND OVERALL SPORTS BOOK OF THE YEAR, IN ASSOCIATION WITH THE SUNDAY TIMESNOW UPDATED WITH TWO BONUS CHAPTERS ON SINFIELD'S LATEST CHALLENGESTHE INSTANT NUMBER ONE BESTSELLER__________________________________________________________________________‘A very British hero, the unassuming yet utterly superb Kevin Sinfield – rugby league great turned rugby union coach turned charity fundraiser, all while carrying a torch for the true meaning of sport and friendship. The Extra Mile tells how Sinfield set about raising money to combat motor neurone disease, the appalling condition that has gripped his former Leeds Rhinos teammate and best pal, Rob Burrow. If Sinfield weren’t such a modest man, his story could be subtitled, How to Be a Decent Person.’ The Times, Sports Books of the Year, 2023'If you want inspiring, uplifting and empowering... give this amazing man some of your time' Jake Humphrey'Kevin Sinfield is adored and respected . . . he is the best of men' Brian Moore, Daily Telegraph'I've always thought Kevin Sinfield was a hero. His quiet, calm, committed leadership makes people want to support him and we are all doing that as he supports Rob Burrow and everyone living with MND' Clare Balding'The friendship between Kevin Sinfield and Rob Burrow gives you faith in humankind' Sir Chris Hoy__________________________________________________________________________The Extra Mile is no ordinary sports memoir. But Kevin Sinfield is no ordinary sportsman. A one-club legend of Leeds Rhinos, who has now crossed codes as a defence coach for the England national rugby union team, Kevin Sinfield is a rugby icon. But in recent years has shown heroism of a very different kind through his selfless and extraordinary fundraising for motor neurone disease (MND), the terminal illness that has affected his best mate and former teammate Rob Burrow.Sinfield's epic challenges have included running 7 ultra marathons in 7 days, and running over 101 miles in 24 hours. In the process, Sinfield has captured the hearts of the nation and over £7 million for MND. He was awarded an OBE in the Queen's Birthday honours for his efforts, along with the Freedom of Leeds and a special BBC Award for his fundraising.Told with Sinfield's characteristic warmth, dry wit and inspirational leadership, The Extra Mile is the story of an astonishing life, of an enduring friendship, of perseverance against the most difficult of challenges, and of a remarkable, humble human being who has defied the odds. The book equips readers with the tools and the mindset to embrace togetherness and to overcome their own challenges. It leaves the reader with the urgent question: Who would you go the extra mile for to help in life?PRAISE FOR KEVIN SINFIELD'Inspirational does not do him justice, he's that and much, much more' Matt Dickinson'Kevin Sinfield is an incredible human being' Gabby Logan'A total hero' Yvette Cooper'Britain's greatest sportsman (off the pitch) ... Kevin Sinfield's fundraising is a poignant story of friendship and human endeavour' The Times __________________________________________________________________________ Number 1 Sunday Times bestseller, June 2023 Awarded the Sports Bestseller Award and Overall Sports Book of The Year, at The Charles Tyrwhitt Sports Book Awards, in association with The Sunday Times - 6th June, 2024 Read more

Winner of the Sports Book Awards 2022The updated edition of the huge Sunday Times number one bestselling inspirational memoir from rugby league legend Rob Burrow on his extraordinary career, his incredible friendship with fellow Rhino Kevin Sinfield, and his battle with motor neurone disease.‘A pocket rocket of a player and a giant of a character . . . He [was] one in a million and his story is truly inspirational’ – Clare BaldingI’m not giving in until my last breath – Rob BurrowRob Burrow was one of the greatest rugby league players of all time. And the most inspirational. As a boy, Rob was told he was too small to play the sport. Even when he made his debut for Leeds Rhinos, people wrote him off as a novelty. But Rob never stopped proving people wrong. During his time at Leeds he won eight Super League Grand Finals, two Challenge Cups and three World Club Challenges. He also played for his country in two World Cups.In December 2019, Rob was diagnosed with motor neurone disease, a rare degenerative condition, and given a couple of years to live. He was only thirty-seven, not long retired and had three young children. When he went public with the devastating news, the outpouring of affection and support was extraordinary. When it became clear that Rob was going to fight it all the way, sympathy turned to awe.Written with honesty and humour, Too Many Reasons to Live is the story of a man who resolved to turn a terrible situation into something positive. It is about the power of love, between Rob and his childhood sweetheart Lindsey, and of the life-changing bond of friendship between Rob, Kevin Sinfield, and their Rhino teammates.Far more than a sports memoir, this is a remarkable, awe-inspiring story of boundless courage and infinite kindness. Read more

'The lawyers are once again on standby.' – Alex Payne The long-awaited book from rugby stars Alex Payne, James Haskell and Mike Tindall.Rugby megastars James Haskell, Mike Tindall and Alex Payne get together to discuss the highs and lows of their podcast, friendship and rugby.Among the key questions answered:What happened when Mike took their shambles of a podcast inside the walls of Windsor Castle to meet the Prince and Princess of Wales and The Princess Royal?How did Haskell end up nearly killing himself on the way to a DJ set, find himself forced to save Payno from Tins and get confronted by irate fans?How did Alex’s broadcasting career fall to such depressing depths? And will it ever recover? (Spoiler alert – it won’t.)In one, no-holds-barred book, they will go behind the scenes of the hugely successful podcast The Good, The Bad & The Rugby to pull back the curtain on some of their most outrageous antics on tour – the ups, the downs and the sideways – and leave no story untold. All will be unleashed. Read more

SHORTLISTED FOR THE TELEGRAPH RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEARThe truth about being a rugby player from the horsey's mouth.This book is not just about how a psychiatrist called Humphrey helped me get back on my horse and clippity-clop all the way to the World Cup semi-final in Japan. It's the story of how a fat kid who had to live up to the nickname Psycho grew up to play and party for over a decade with rugby's greatest pros and live weird and wonderful moments both in and out of the scrum. That's why I'm letting you read my diary on my weirdest days. You never know what you're going to get with me. From being locked in a police cell to singing Adele on Jonathan Ross (I'll let you decide which is worse), being kissed by a murderer on the number 51 bus to drug tests where clipboard-wielding men hover inches away from my naked genitalia, melting opponents in rucks, winning tackles, and generally losing blood, sweat and ears in the name of the great sport of rugby. This is how (not) to be a rugby player. Read more

A rugby-mad boy. A huge game. And a chance for an epic win . . . or an epic fail!Gordon D'Arcy is an ordinary boy, but he's not so ordinary once he gets a rugby ball in his hands. He's the star player for Wexford Wanderers and dreams of one day wearing the Ireland jersey. A dream like that means hard work, raw talent and never losing sight of your goals.But Gordon has a wild streak that often lands him in trouble. Mum and Dad think that if he can just channel his energy, all will be well. Then something utterly mad happens and he gets a chance to live his biggest dream. Can he stay on his game and do everyone proud? Or will trouble follow him . . . like it usually does? Gordon's Game is a funny and inspiring adventure for rugby lovers of all ages!'A cracking read . . . which will appeal to all the family' Irish Country Magazine Read more

THE NO. 1 BESTSELLERIn his hotly anticipated autobiography, Johnny Sexton tells the story of his life and explores the sources of his unmatched will to win.'Sexton will go down as Ireland's greatest ever player' Gordon D'Arcy, Irish Times‘A revealing glimpse into the psyche of a serial winner’ Robert Kitson, Guardian___________________Four European Cups. Four Six Nations championships (including two Grand Slams). A series win in New Zealand. Two stints for Ireland at number 1 in the world. And the World Player of the Year award. No Irish rugby player has ever achieved more, or been a source of more inspiration to teammates and fans alike, than Johnny Sexton.Outspoken, on and off the field, Sexton offers an honest look at his childhood, his relationships with key teammates and coaches (including Brian O'Driscoll, Paul O'Connell, Ronan O'Gara, Joe Schmidt and Andy Farrell), and his ideas about the game.But it is also a work of deep self-exploration, tracing the psychological arc of a player who almost always felt embattled, who struggled with self-doubt, and who was still learning new lessons about being a team-mate and a leader into his late thirties.Intense, witty, perceptive and frank, Obsessed is an autobiography worthy of its author and the essential chronicle of an extraordinary era in Irish rugby.___________________'Levels of wit and psychological insight that are all too rare in a sporting star’s autobiography’ The Telegraph'A fascinating portrait of a man always at war … Candid, frank and brilliantly written, this is a must for any rugby lover’ Daily Mail'A seriously compelling book’ Stephen Jones, Sunday Times'The best ever Irish player to play the game' Andy Farrell‘An autobiography to be inhaled’ Irish Examiner‘Sexton is on that rarefied plane of athlete where even his mere presence can feel quietly decisive’ Jonathan Liew, Guardian‘An essential read for any keen follower of professional sport in Ireland’ Irish Independent‘One of the best sports biographies in any discipline in recent times’ RTÉ Guide‘A rich insight into one of Irish sport’s most complex, high-performing minds … up there with the all-time great rugby books.’ Irish Independent Read more

“True friends are always there, even when times are tough.” – Rob BurrowThe moving affection between rugby legends, fundraising heroes and best friends Rob Burrow and Kevin Sinfield has inspired and uplifted the nation. With You Every Step is a celebration of friendship, in their own words, perfect for sharing with loved ones.With 50p for every copy sold donated to MND charities, this truly special, pocket-sized gift book features heartfelt quotes from Rob and Kev. Their moving words are brought to life with artwork from leading illustrators, to create an inspiring and hopeful celebration of love, support and connection.Exploring universal truths and celebrating kindness, empathy and the joy of friendship, With You Every Step is the perfect way to show the special people in your life, young and old, just how much they mean to you.With You Every Step has been illustrated by a collection of award-winning, bestselling illustrators: Rob Biddulph, Reggie Brown, David Litchfield, Gill Smith and Sam Usher.Five-star reader reviews:'The perfect love letter to friendship''Had me in tears but happy tears''Ideal as a present for a special friend''A beautiful little book'For every copy sold, Macmillan Children's Books will donate 50p to be split equally between the Motor Neurone Disease Association (registered charity number: 294354) and Leeds Hospitals Charity (registered charity number: 1170369). Read more

An honest, end-of-career autobiography from widely adored Harlequins and England rugby star Danny CareThey say everything happens for a reason, and I think my life is proof of that. There have been a series of moments, some of them tough setbacks, that have proved over time to be pivotal to the person – and player – I am today.There was the time when my dreams of a football career came to an abrupt end but opened the door for rugby in my life; the ill-judged sledging outing that may have cost me the opportunity to go on a Lions tour; the times when my name made the headlines for the wrong reasons; the choice I made to miss an England tour, which led to meeting the love of my life on a party island halfway across the world; and the devastating moment when Eddie Jones dropped me from the England squad and I thought my international career was over.I sometimes wondered if it was meant to be but I kept on smiling and I worked hard as I kept my focus on playing the game that I love, that I owe everything to. And now, a little older and a little wiser – and with over 100 England caps, three Six Nations championships and two Premiership titles to my name – I want to tell you my story. The highs and lows, the good and the bad and everything in between. Read more

*Overcome any obstacle that life throws at you by cultivating an unbreakable mindset and learning to think like a Royal Marines Commando*What readers are saying about Becoming the 0.1%: 'A really interesting insight into the process of forging a Royal Marine Commando and becoming one of a very select group of elite performers' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Painfully truthful and honest, becoming the 0.1% is one of the best book's you'll read' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'Essential reading for all leaders' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'The lessons from this book are essential lessons for life' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐'This is an absolute masterpiece' ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐__________Historical recruitment campaigns to become a Royal Marines Commando drew on a harrowing but intriguing narrative: 99.9% Need Not Apply. In 2005, only one in a thousand applications for the Royal Marines were successful in reaching the end of training, earning the Coveted Green Beret - a world renowned symbol of excellence.Becoming the 0.1% is the first-ever diary account of this training regime, charting the odds-stacked journey of Gareth Timmins, a 20-year-old recruit at the time, and providing a psychological framework for understanding how he was able to cultivate the mental strength and resilience needed to push through to success.Each week of training is accompanied by lessons on his short-comings and growth to peak performance. It uses real-life and often terrifying experiences to describe to the reader the edge you need to cultivate a 0.1% mindset and succeed in life and work, by learning how to:- Visualise achievements- Combat fatigue and burnout- Stay motivated by not losing sight of the end goal- Eradicate complacency and achieve mastery- Redefine expectation and regulate disappointment- Live without convenience- Thrive under pressure- Break down self-imposed limitations- Be held accountable to others__________'A practical and no-nonsense guide on dealing with the toughest situations, from someone who has been there and done it.' -- Levison Wood'It will help you to navigate life.' -- The Times Read more

Who are the hardest men of Welsh rugby? Here are stories of twenty of the toughest Welsh rugby union players who fought valiantly for pride and honour in the days prior to the game turning professional in 1995. With profiles of legends such as John Bevan, Graham Price, JPR, Scott Gibbs and many more, this book tells some of the most gory tales from rugby history. Read about the men who carried on playing despite having internal bleeding on their eyes gouged, and the scrums which were an opportunity to chew your opponent s ear... The hard men featured in the book are... John Bevan, Mervyn Davies, Gareth Edwards, Charlie Faulkner, Scott Gibbs, Ray Gravell, Terry Holmes, Garin Jenkins, Courtney Meredith, Dai Morris, Graham Price, Ray Prosser, Delme Thomas, Geoff Wheel, JPR Williams, Bobby Windsor Read more

After fifteen years at the very pinnacle of test rugby, leading the most successful squad in Welsh history, Dan Biggar tells his story. ‘When I reflect on it all, I can say without any doubt that I gave it everything.’Dan Biggar has never fitted the mould. Throughout his long and decorated career, he has had to confront the critics, to silence the cynics. His playing style has been described as brash, aggressive and forthright, and it has earned him a reputation he has never been able to shake. But to anyone who knows him off the pitch, he is one of the most grounded ambassadors the game could ask for.Honest and self-critical, Dan offers a rare insight into his personal and professional life. He talks candidly of his place within rugby, from the Premiership through to the Lions, and of the power dynamics within Wales’ most successful squad ever. He also opens the changing room doors and explores his relationships with past team mates, coaches and managers, from Warren Gatland and Shaun Edwards to Alun Wyn Jones and Wayne Pivac.The Biggar Picture is the story of a man who has taken in the joy, the graft and despair to become one of the sport’s most compelling figures – and Wales’ most capped fly-half. Read more

THE BOLD NEW MEMOIR FROM SOUTH AFRICA'S DOUBLE WORLD CUP-WINNING COACH RASSIE ERASMUSRassie Erasmus has been called a genius. He’s been called reckless. All his life, he’s done things differently. Now, with his trademark candour, Rassie talks openly about his adventures and misadventures at the pinnacle of world rugby, both as player and coach.From his role in Nick Mallett's record-breaking Springbok team of the late 1990s, to the devastating injuries that cut short his playing career, to his revolutionary coaching career, Rassie is an essential window into one of the most successful figures of modern rugby.When his teammates relaxed, Rassie preferred to watch hours of video and devise winning strategies. His coaching methods were initially laughed off – before being eagerly adopted when their success proved undeniable. He fought the rugby establishment at the Stormers, and later earned the grudging respect of Irish fans at Munster.Most crucially, Rassie talks about his greatest contribution to South African rugby: appointing its first black captain, Siya Kolisi, without much fanfare or controversy. As his bold plans for effective racial transformation of the national team achieved immediate success, they culminated in glory at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Here, that monumental period is recounted in vivid, insightful detail.Entertaining and eye-opening, Rassie is full of behind-the-scenes revelations, telling the story of a towering figure in world rugby. Read more

Updated 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 WilkinsonSam Warburton OBE was not only a titan of Welsh rugby, but an icon of the game. Having represented his country as a player and team captain at all junior levels, he propelled himself to international attention in 2011 when named as the youngest ever captain of Wales for the Rugby World Cup.Despite his tender age, Sam’s immense displays for club and country were recognised still further in April 2013, when, at just 24, he was named the Lions' captain for the extraordinary 2013 tour to Australia. Four years later, after a year ‘in the wilderness’, Sam was named Lions’ captain yet again for the historic tour to New Zealand, thereby becoming the first ever Lions Captain never to lose a series in the professional era.Intelligent, calm, thoughtful – in many ways seemingly the exact opposite of the smash and crash of modern rugby – Warburton’s edge never came with his size, but with his depth of thought, his reading of movement, and his understanding that, to be a uniquely successful leader, one needs to set goals that far exceed the ambitions of even the most ferocious of opponents. In leading other men, and in pitting himself against the world’s best, Warburton was forced repeatedly to push himself to the very edge of his physiological and mental limits, the 21 significant injuries over that period a painful testament to his sacrifice.Open Side is therefore not simply a chronology of events or a celebration of statistics. Written in a compelling but soul searching style, this is an astoundingly personal book exploring the nature of leadership, the value of self-control, the precision of mindset and of course the future of the game. It is also a deeply personal meditation on the sacrifice of body, the torment of injury and the pain of retirement, a decision Sam was forced to make in July 2018, at just 29 years old.Never before has a rugby autobiography given such intimate access not only to the realities of the dressing room and the heroes and villains of the modern game, but to the unique mindset required to make someone a genuinely great leader of men. Read more

A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR - SPORT'A mesmerising, unforgettable journey around world rugby' - DONALD McRAE, Twice winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year'Magnificent. hugely intelligent and entertaining' - STUART BARNES, Sunday Times'Really enjoyed it' - WILL CARLING'An absolutely marvellous book. Recommended heartily' - JONATHAN DRENNAN, Sydney Morning HeraldCONTRASTING CHARACTERS, COLLIDING CULTURES, THE SAME OVAL-SHAPED BALL. A JOURNEY TO FIND RUGBY'S MOST REMARKABLE PEOPLE, TEAMS AND PLACES.What makes rugby special? Which individuals and teams have defined the modern game? Around the World in 80 Minutes charts the 'golden era' of global rugby union between 1973 and 2023 and goes in search of the sport's most influential trailblazers.Robert Kitson, the Guardian's long-time rugby union correspondent, assesses the game's current health, tracks down the battered gladiators of yesteryear and asks some pertinent questions. Does rugby retain its old rugged charm? What does its future look like? And what, ultimately, constitutes rugby 'greatness'?For fans of The Good, the Bad and the Rugby, this observant, amusing and thought-provoking journey takes in some of the game's more prominent names - including David Campese, Brian O'Driscoll, Maggie Alphonsi, Sean Fitzpatrick, Eddie Jones and Sir Clive Woodward - to reflect on rugby's intangible shared joy.Millions of fans continue to find rugby maddeningly irresistible and endlessly compelling. This book is for them, and for anyone else wondering where the appeal lies. Read more

Wayne Barnes - one of the most-experienced international referees in history and criminal barrister to boot - uniquely lifts the lid on a lifetime of trying to keep the biggest names in the sport on best behaviour.There aren't many people who can say they've been the thirty-first man on the pitch during a World Cup humdinger, Grand Slam decider or Premiership and European Cup final; listened to the sobs of a 20-stone prop as he tries to belt out his national anthem; heard the crunch of bones after some of the mightiest hits known to the game; or been yards away from the greatest players of the last twenty years, doing almost impossible things with a rugby ball - especially when you're a working-class lad from the Forest of Dean, wondering how you ever got there in the first place.Candid, humble and warmly told, Throwing the Book is a definitive account of what it means to be a rugby referee and a love letter to the sport that has provided Wayne with so much. Covering his childhood days, family life, career highs and lows, side-step into law, as well as what's next in store for Wayne both on and off the pitch, this book reveals the man behind the referee for the very first time.Serious when it needs to be, but also rich in good humour and humanity, Throwing the Book is a memoir to remember. Read more

Rupert Moon's tale has more to it than tries and tackles. As a youngster he struggled academically, loath to waste time with lessons whilst there was a ball outside waiting to be kicked. He came from a family who were passionate about the game of rugby union, and their involvement with the local club at Walsall and its players fired the imagination of a gangly, cumbersome kid. His is a story of belonging and of finding a place where rugby was the very lifeblood of the community. It is also the story of a player whose burgeoning celebrity status threatened to dwarf his many achievements on the fields of play. Away from the mud and glory, Rupert explores the side of rugby the fans seldom see. Alongside a trail of humorous anecdotes, he recalls the drinking sprees, tours, endless training, backstabbing, media exploitation, professionalism, club politics, coaches, comebacks and enduring friendships. This is the story of a man who took his rugby seriously without ever taking himself so. Told with honesty and candour and imbued with his infectious love of life, "Full Moon" is a tale for rugby fans, sports fans and fans of eccentrics wherever they are. Read more

Standing at just 5'7", Cheslin Kolbe defied every critic who said he was too small for rugby's elite stage. From the dust-blown fields of Kraaifontein, Cape Town, to lifting the Webb Ellis Cup at the 2019 Rugby World Cup, his journey embodies the triumph of heart over physical limitations. In this gripping biography, witness the meteoric rise of rugby's most electrifying player – a man who turned his supposed disadvantage into his greatest weapon. Through intimate interviews and never-before-shared stories, discover how a boy from humble beginnings transformed into the lightning-fast wing whose sidesteps leave defenders grasping at thin air. This isn't just another sports biography. It's a testament to unwavering self-belief, a father's sacrifice, and the power of proving doubters wrong. Experience the raw emotion of: The childhood struggles that forged his unbreakable spirit The painful setbacks that nearly ended his career before it began The historic moments that made him a legend: from Olympic bronze to World Cup glory The private battles and personal triumphs that shaped the man behind the jersey Kolbe's story will move you to tears, inspire you to dream bigger, and prove that giants come in all sizes. His electric runs on the field have brought crowds to their feet – now, the intimate details of his journey will touch your heart. Don't miss this chance to own the most inspiring rugby story of our generation. Click now to secure your copy and discover how one small giant changed rugby forever. Read more

THE SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER‘Hilarious, and straight talking but also articulate and insightful – I am just hugely fond of this guy’ –Eddie Jones‘James Haskell: what a flanker, what a book’–Rugby World‘I’d like to be remembered as a player who showed that you can be incredibly professional but also a lot of fun – a bit of a joker in the changing room, but the ultimate competitor on the pitch. That should have been the subtitle of this book, really…’One of rugby’s most ferocious flankers and biggest characters, James Haskell has had an extraordinary, global experience of the game, having played for the Wasps, Northampton and England, and in New Zealand, France and Japan. After seventeen years and with 77 international caps under his sizeable belt, he has a shitload to say about rugby life – from pitch to pub and everywhere in between.In What A Flanker, Haskell sheds fresh light on the dynamics and the day-to-day of the game. Whether he’s recalling the most brutal team socials; dispelling the myths surrounding New Zealand’s dominance; introducing his Japanese teammates to manscaping or calling out play-acting in the modern game, no subject is off limits.Side-splittingly funny and ruthlessly honest, What A Flanker delves into the touring, drinking, training, eating and sometimes unconscionable antics of the professional rugby player. It’s an unforgettable read, even if there are some stories you’d rather forget… Read more

The honest and hard-hitting memoirs of the most capped England rugby scrum-half of all time, a captain of his country, a two-times British Lions tourist and now a Rugby World Cup winner. Matt Dawson’s career story is a colourful tale spiced with controversy, from club rugby at Northampton to England winning the Rugby World Cup in Australia.Matt Dawson narrates his twelve-year journey in a sport transformed beyond recognition.The boy from Birkenhead learnt the game the hard way, working as a security guard and an advertising salesman in his formative years, in the days when rugby players found relief in an active and alcoholic social life. (Dawson: ‘The drinking started on Saturday night, continued all Sunday and most nights until Thursday.’)Despite the frequent visits to the operating theatre and the physio’s table, hard graft for his club Northampton eventually heralded international recognition. Dawson talks about the influential, and occasional obstructive figures in his blossoming career: the likes of John Olver, Will Carling, Ian McGeechan and, more recently, Wayne Shelford and Clive Woodward.The advent of professionalism in 1995 changed for good the game at all levels, and Dawson is in the position of having straddled the transformation, when cash became more important than conscience.In typically opinionated mode, he also reflects on the successes and failures of the England team and, famously, the Lions in Australia in 2001. After speaking out against punishing schedules, disenchanted players and lack of management support in a tour diary article, Dawson was almost sent home in disgrace. He revisits that bitterly disappointing period in his life and is still not afraid to point out where everything went wrong.Following England’s Rugby World Cup 2003 success, Dawson provides a first-hand account of all the dressing room drama – including a troubled Jonny Wilkinson – and the memorable final itself, followed by the stunning reaction to this historic win back home. Read more