In 2016, Doddie Weir's life - as much-loved sporting hero and Borders farmer - switched direction with the same speed and power this indefatigable No. 5 once displayed on the rugby pitch. Reeling from his own MND diagnosis, Doddie became a standard-bearer for all those valiantly seeking to halt Motor Neuron Disease in its tracks. It's a platform Doddie has unhesitatingly used to the max. 'I never set out to take the lead,' he says. 'It just happened - like MND itself. But we are making a fight of it.' And so he continues to live life at full tilt: as a tireless fundraiser for the My Name'5 Doddie Foundation and as a family man with a debilitating, unpredictable and incurable disease. During these unprecedented times, Doddie has received an OBE, celebrated his 50th birthday, helped pledge close to GBP10 million for MND research and his fellow sufferers - all amid a whirl of golfing challenges, charity cycle rides, book festivals and awards ceremonies . . . Now DODDIE'S DIARY lifts the lid on the highs, the lows, the laughter and the tears of the last few years. Each day shows an astonishing, inspirational man who simply refuses to give in as he brings his down-to-earth positivity and legendary sense of humour to the battle against MND. Just as on the pitch, it's a battle he's determined to win.

Matt Dawson's Lions Tales gives rugby fans a satisfying dose of wonderful Lions anecdotes, epic stories of triumph and despair, of camaraderie and controversy, and stirring examples of that special bond that only competing in the white heat of battle, halfway round the world, against the mighty All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks, can engender. Lions Tales is peppered with insight and laugh-out-loud moments, dredged from the memory banks of Dawson's own time in the iconic red shirt, and also from his keen interest in the Lions' remarkable 125-year traditions.

'You will laugh, and you will cry.' The extraordinary, life-affirming autobiography of rugby legend DODDIE WEIR. There has never been anyone quite like Doddie Weir. A giant of the game and a rugby icon, his unique story is charged with a passion for living life to the full. In a rugby career which had huge highs and shocking lows, Doddie faced some of the game's greatest players, from Jonny Wilkinson to Jonah Lomu, Brian O'Driscoll to Scott Quinnell and Martin Johnson to Joost van der Westhuizen, and set stadiums alight when 'on the charge like a mad giraffe'. Now, at the age of 48, Doddie faces an entirely different adversary: Motor Neurone Disease. But Doddie Weir has never been one to shy away from a challenge, on or off the pitch, and he has faced up to MND with undaunted positivity, using his boundless energy to raise funds for MND research and support.

The revelatory autobiography of a rugby colossus: Paul O'Connell. WINNER OF THE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEAR There has never been a rugby player quite like Paul O'Connell. He is synonymous with passion, heart and determination; but he is also the thinking man's rugby player, a legendary student of the game. As the heartbeat of Munster, British and Irish Lions captain in 2009, and captain of the first Ireland team to defend a Six Nations championship, O'Connell has emerged as perhaps the most beloved of the golden generation of Irish rugby players. In an autobiography as intense as its author, he tells the story of his remarkable career. 'The years of O'Connell and O'Driscoll were as close to a golden age as ever Ireland will get and O'Connell's book tells you how it all happened ... It should be mandatory for every Irish squad member to read O'Connell's book to better understand what it takes to make a team' David Walsh, Sunday Times 'O'Connell has emptied the tank here. ... What has come out ... is a psychological profile that is almost shocking at times in what it reveals about the bloody single-mindedness of the competitive gene' Hilary A. White, Irish Independent 'The intense physicality of his rugby upbringing is an abiding theme ... along with humour, the craic and an extensive knowledge of how teams work' Paul Hayward, Daily Telegraph 'I found The Battle entrancing' Stephen Jones, Sunday Times 'Excellent ... [an] eye-opening account of the never-ending battles he fought' Rugby World 'Revelatory ... Unflinchingly charts his personal evolution ... He is not at all easy on himself' Keith Duggan, Irish Times

The extraordinary, life-affirming autobiography of rugby legend DODDIE WEIR There has never been anyone quite like Doddie Weir. A giant of the game and a rugby icon, his story is unique, inspirational and charged with a passion for living life to the full. In a rugby career which had huge highs and shocking lows, Doddie faced some of the greatest players in the game, from Jonny Wilkinson to Jonah Lomu, Brian O'Driscoll to Scott Quinnell and Martin Johnson to Joost van der Westhuizen, and set stadiums alight when "on the charge like a mad giraffe". Now, at the age of 48, Doddie is facing an entirely different adversary: Motor Neurone Disease. But Doddie Weir has never been one to shy away from a challenge, on or off the pitch, and he has faced up to MND with undaunted positivity, using his boundless energy to raise funds for MND research and support, with more than GBP1million already raised and committed in the first year. MY NAME'5 DODDIE is a courageous and hugely entertaining celebration of a remarkable life being lived to the max. You will laugh, you may cry, but Doddie's story is an absolute must-read - rugby fan or not.

The world of rugby celebrated the 8th Rugby World Cup in 2015, but a tournament held in 1919, The King's Cup, can rightly claim to be rugby's first competitive 'World Cup'. Meticulously complied by Howard Evans and Phil Atkinson, The King's Cup 1919, is the first book to tell the story of rugby's first 'World Cup' and is essential reading for all rugby enthusiasts and military historians. With over 140 photos and illustrations, and chapters focusing on the competing teams, the players, and every game in the tournament, the authors have provided a comprehensive and attractive record of a long-forgotten but historically important competition that most rugby supporters are completely unaware of. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, all rugby was suspended by decree of the individual rugby unions, with only inter-military encounters and fundraising games permitted. After the Armistice in November 1918, with the armies of the world's rugby-playing nations still stationed in Britain, and with the public desperate to see competitive rugby played again, an inter-military tournament was organised.King George V was so enthused by the proposed competition that he agreed to have the tournament named after him, and so The King's Cup was born. The King's Cup 1919 Explains the British military's refusal to allow separate teams for England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland by the creation of 'Mother Country' Explains how the Royal Navy were invited to compete but declined Confirmed the status of New Zealand as the dominant rugby-playing nation Saw the first competitive game between New Zealand and South Africa Shows the origins of apartheid South Africa's refusal to accept black players in opposing teams

The story of the world's most formidable rugby team. The record of the All Blacks in world rugby is unmatched. From the famous pre match challenge of the haka to the scintillating brand of rugby they play, the team draws thousands around the world to stadiums and TVs to watch them play. Over the years, some of the greatest players to ever pick up a rugby ball have worn the iconic black jersey – names like Lomu, Meads, Carter and Barrett. From the first ever tours to the modern World Cups, the All Blacks embody a legacy of excellence that strikes fear into the heart of their opponents. 'Son, you've got to be prepared to piss blood to wear this jersey.' - All Black flanker Mark Shaw to debutant Mike Brewer, 1986. The 1924/5 All Black side won an astonishing 31 games in a row on their tour to the United Kingdom, France and North America. When they arrived back in New Zealand they were dubbed 'The Invincibles'.

Cornwall has long been recognised as being one of the hotbeds of English rugby enjoying a level of interest and support even outstripping that of football. Ten years ago Penzance and Newlyn rebranded itself as the Cornish Pirates and now operates as the only truly professional sports team in the area. Despite its remote location and low population base it has nevertheless recently twice won national knock-out trophies and twice more reached play-off finals of the Rugby Championship - just one tier below the Premier League. Ex-player Steve Tomlin's latest book details the lives and playing careers of forty-six leading players and four senior coaches covering both the amateur and professional eras of the club. It is almost entirely based on a series of detailed interviews with the players themselves - or with their colleagues and families if they are no longer with us. Many of those featured played at international level whilst others remained as heroes in their own backyard. It gives a fascinating and often hilarious insight into the lives, pressures, achievements and disappointments of rugby players of different generations and varying backgrounds.

The new-look South African Rugby Annual 2015 is the official record of the South African season and is widely considered to be the finest yearbook in world rugby. The unrivalled 'bible' of the game has definitively chronicled the game in this country for over four decades and this 44th edition represents a refreshing departure from previous editions in terms of editorial and design.

For starters, the 2015 edition, at 640 pages, will be by far the biggest Annual to date, while a more compact, user-friendly size and cleaner design will ensure that rugby fans will have more facts and figures at the disposal than ever before – and all presented in a refreshing manner.

For lovers of sporting trivia, the South African Rugby Annual 2015 doubles for the first time as a Springbok handbook, with hundreds of bite-sized facts and figures appearing throughout the book. For example, did you know that 2007 World Cup winner Schalk Burger made his Test debut just 17 years after his dad, Schalk senior played his last match? Or that Pieter ‘Slaptjips’ Rossouw scored the fastest-ever Springbok hat-trick, in just seven minutes? Or that the Webb Ellis Cup was already 81 years old when it was first presented at the 1987 World Cup?

Trivia apart, the Annual is also the official and definitive resource for the upcoming 2015 IRB Rugby World Cup, with a dedicated section providing every stat imaginable for Springbok fans, including the result of every World Cup match ever played!

The 2015 edition will also establish the Annual as a leading sporting journal, with a host of best-selling authors contributing articles that add fascinating and previously unpublished new chapters to the unique and colourful saga of South African rugby.

Dan Retief, who has written about Springbok rugby for more than four decades, uncovers the fascinating and little-known story of a New Zealand rugby team who swept all before them in South Africa years before the Springboks and All Blacks first met, while Craig Ray, who wrote 2007 Rugby World Cup winning coach Jake White’s autobiography, provides a personal insight into what it takes to win the ultimate prize in world rugby.

With its unrivalled mix of Springbok trivia, cutting-edge research and every record imaginable, the South African Rugby Annual 2015 will continue to settle arguments at braais across the land, while continuing to be the perfect gift for rugby fans of all ages.

SHORTLISTED 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 Warburton Warren 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 many of the sport's most passionate heartlands such as New Zealand, Ireland, England and, of course, Wales. Gatland reflects in characteristically forthright and intelligent fashion on a lifetime spent playing and coaching the sport which has been his passion since as a young boy he first picked up an oval ball on New Zealand's North Island, dreaming of joining the ranks of the mighty All Blacks. Along the way we encounter the greatest matches, players and rivalries the sport has to offer, get introduced to a stunning cast of unforgettable characters who grace the story with their humour and humanity, and emerge with a striking appreciation of what makes this outstanding rugby man tick.

A collection of 125 activities, practices, and games designed to improve coaching sessions at all levels of the gameThe rugby drills presented here are organized into chapters according to a particular skill or phase of the game, from the warm up to handling, contact, lineout, scrum, kicking, and defense. Each chapter starts with a series of simple activities before progressing through to more complex ones, each broken down into step-by-step explanations and diagrams, as well as guidance on how to increase the level of difficulty. Tried and tested over a number of years, and proven to work in developing skills and teamwork with players of all abilities, many of the drills were created by the author, while some have been used by the most famous coaches in the world. All of them were designed for use without the need for specialist or expensive equipment.

The 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 84th edition, the 2020 Rugby Almanack records another huge year, including the Rugby World Cup, 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.

Bumper Rugby World Cup edition of the acclaimed IRB World Rugby Yearbook, the ever-popular and utterly comprehensive review of the rugby year. On sale barely a month after the trophy has been lifted at the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand, the IRB World Rugby Yearbook will include a comprehensive review of the tournament including analysis and comment from leading players and the game's best rugby writers. On top of that will be a complete round-up of world rugby in 2011, including complete statistical records for every World Cup nation, all-time rugby records and reviews of each of the major competitions in the oval ball game. The IRB World Rugby Yearbook is quite simply the most comprehensive rugby yearbook on the planet.

The latest edition of the acclaimed IRB World Rugby Yearbook, the most comprehensive rugby yearbook on the planet. With 640 fully illustrated pages of features, stats and records from every major rugby playing nation, since being revived and revamped four years ago the IRB World Rugby Yearbook has become a 'must have' book for rugby followers. The 2011 edition will feature extensive preview of the 2011 Rugby World Cup in New Zealand

Stories from on and off the pitch by two legendary Welsh Rugby World Cup referees. -- Welsh Books Council

This 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.

A new edition to commemorate the 50th anniversary of one of the greatest rugby moments ever. Against all expectations, on 31 October 1972 Carwyn James' Llanelli beat New Zealand 9-3. The day's events are recalled by those who were there. First edition shortlisted for 2013 British Sports Book Awards. -- Cyngor Llyfrau Cymru

Crowood Sports Guides provide sound, practical advice that will help make you a better player whether you are learning the basic skills, discovering more advanced techniques or reviewing the fundamentals of your game. This new, substantially revised, and updated edition includes Star Tips, Kit Checks, Rules Checks, and Key Points. Covering skills and techniques at every level, this book features action and sequence photographs; helpful, detailed diagrams in color; and an introduction to rules and equipment. Aimed at those learning the basic skills as well as those who wish to discover more advanced techniques or to review the fundamentals of the game.

**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 PAPER

In order to maximise their performance in training and in matches, rugby players need to understand the importance of energy and nutrients and their role in the working of the body. It is also vitally important that they make appropriate food choices and that they eat and drink those foods in the correct quantities. This informative book clearly explains which foods and fluids, when consumed in the right amounts at the correct times, will help players perform to the best of their ability.

At the start of the 2005 Six Nations a team of sports photographers was given unprecedented access to the Welsh rugby team. Little did they know they were about to record a nation's greatest rugby moments for decades. The result is Breathing Fire!, a spectacular 250 page book of stunning rugby photography that gets to the very heart and soul of Wales' Grand Slam triumph. From the pitch-side to the dressing room, from training to the team bus, these sensational photographs tell the story from the inside - Gareth Thomas driving the team bus, Kevin Morgan having his head stitched up, Gavin Henson doing his hair... The official book of the team, Breathing Fire! also contains exclusive interviews with all the key players, telling the story of the Grand Slam in their own words.