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Books > Sport & Leisure > Sports & outdoor recreation > Ball games > Rugby football > Rugby Union
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
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.
No Regrets was the name given to Welsh rugby's three-year
masterplan to give the national team the best possible chance of
success at the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan. Created in a
Wellington hotel in 2016 after Wales had been thumped 40-7 by the
Waikato Chiefs during their summer tour of New Zealand, Head coach
Warren Gatland, attack coach Rob Howley, Chief Executive Martyn
Phillips and then-Head of Rugby Performance, Geraint John knew a
major step change was needed. No Regrets was the result. In No
Regrets - The Story of Wales' Plan For Rugby World Cup Glory,
acclaimed Western Mail rugby correspondent Matthew Southcombe
reveals how the masterplan led to the 2017 tour success in
Argentina, a clean sweep in the 2018 autumn internationals and, in
2019, a Six Nations Grand Slam, a record 14-game unbeaten run and a
World Rugby #1 ranking. Hopes were high, amongst the squad and the
nation, as the team headed to Japan with a genuine expectation
winning the tournament. Essential reading for all Welsh rugby
supporters, Matthew Southcombe, in addition to telling the story of
Wales' 2019 Rugby World Cup campaign, also recalls the highs and
lows of Wales at the previous eight World Cups, assesses Warren
Gatland's 12-year legacy with Wales, and asks what is required for
this rugby-obsessed nation to reach the World Cup final, and
finally lift the Webb Ellis Trophy.
Rugby World Cup 101 is a compendium of fascinating facts, stats,
stories, personalities and trivia - perfect for all fans of rugby
from around the world. From the genesis of the tournament in 1987
all the way through to the present day, the Rugby World Cup's rich
history is distilled into 101 facts, stats and stories. This
entertaining volume is an instructive, if sometimes irreverent -
but always affectionate - guide to some of the groundbreaking
firsts, controversies, innovations, characters, achievements and
disasters that have taken place in rugby's marquee event. Whether
an expert or a novice, this is the perfect companion for rugby
lovers around the world.
Shortlisted for Rugby Book of the Year at the British Sports Book
Awards 'An excellent read' - Rugby World Rob Andrew is one of the
key figures in modern rugby history: an outstanding international
who won three Grand Slams with England and toured twice with the
British and Irish Lions, he also played a central role in the
game's professional revolution with his trailblazing work at
Newcastle. During a long spell on Tyneside, he led the team to a
Premiership title at the first opportunity, brought European action
to the north-east and gave the young Jonny Wilkinson his break in
big-time union by fast-tracking him into the side straight out of
school. What happened off the field was equally eventful. Rob
produced 'The Andrew Report' - the most radical of blueprints for
the future of English rugby - and then, over the course of a decade
as one of Twickenham's top administrators, found himself grappling
with the extreme challenges of running a game repeatedly blown off
course by the winds of change. He did not merely have a ringside
seat as one of the world's major sports went through its greatest
upheaval in a century: more often than not, he was in the ring
itself.
Book 8 in the acclaimed Rugby Spirit series. Eoin Madden and his
friends are back at school and it looks like it will be a fun year
with new subjects and activities to try. After all his years on the
Junior Cup team, Eoin is looking forward to a break from rugby this
year; when there's a chance to play soccer instead, he jumps at it!
But it's hard to set up a football team at a rugby-mad school like
Castlerock - can the boys do it? And who is the ghostly footballer
with links to Dalymount Park that Eoin and his friends keep
meeting? Eoin usually sees ghosts when trouble is brewing, so is
something wrong at the football grounds? From the Busby Babes of
the 1950s to the Castlerock Red Rockets, football links the
generations.
SHORTLISTED FOR INTERNATIONAL AUTOBIOGRAPHY OF THE YEAR AT THE 2020
TELEGRAPH SPORTS BOOK AWARDS. As Kieran Read calls time on his
distinguished New Zealand career at the end of the Rugby World Cup,
this is the open and honest life story of one of rugby's greatest
players, a legendary All Black and a two-time World Cup winner.
Kieran Read first played for the All Blacks as a 23-year-old in
2008 and since then has amassed more than a century of Test
appearances in the famous jersey. Now, after a stellar provincial,
club and international career - including back-to-back World Cup
victories - the New Zealand captain writes openly and honestly
about his time in the game. Read takes to these pages with his
trademark determination, lifting the lid on the unique pressures of
succeeding as captain the most celebrated All Black of all time
(Richie McCaw). He outlines the decisions that molded his career
and uncovers the skills of the coaches who shaped him, while
offering readers an inside account of how the world's greatest team
functions and thrives. Read unpacks the emotional toll of injury
and the ignominy of defeat, neatly illustrating the intense
experience of representing a rugby-obsessed nation while delivering
a masterclass in how to manage the many demands on the mind and on
the body. Forthright and frank, Read's well-respected views on the
game and its future are a must-read for rugby fans, and his take on
the myriad personalities and the peccadilloes of his team-mates,
coaches and opponents will be sure to surprise and delight. From
the playing fields of Papakura to the summit of the sport, Read has
faced every challenge head on. His life story if no exception.
British & Irish Lions On This Day revisits the most magical and
memorable moments from the Lions' distinguished history, mixing in
a maelstrom of anecdotes and characters to produce an irresistibly
dippable diary - with an entry for every day of the year. From
tours, Tests and provincial matches to the exploits of the Lions
players in the wider world of rugby and beyond, the names of the
players that have represented the Lions reads like a Who's Who of
British and Irish rugby union and despite the advent of
professionalism and the World Cup many home players regard Lions
selection as the highest accolade available to them. Cliff Morgan,
John Dawes, Willie John McBride, Bill Beaumont, Finlay Calder and
Martin Johnson are just some of the famous names that have led the
Lions on tour. Meanwhile tries and goals have been provided by
Vivian Jenkins, Ernest Hammett, Barry John, Gareth Edwards, Ollie
Campbell, Alan Irvine and many, many more.
The Rugby World Cup has only been in existence since 1987, yet
already it is established as the sport's premier competition - six
weeks of frenzied action which entrances all the rugby-playing
nations. The tournament has thrown up countless memorable matches,
introduced us to amazing players and witnessed some incredible
scores - from Michael Jones scoring the first World Cup try to the
legendary All Blacks regaining the trophy in a titanic struggle
with France 24 years later. In between we have witnessed two
triumphs each for Australia and South Africa, and of course
England's sole victory for a Northern Hemisphere side. To date.
Relive France's spectacular wins over Australia and New Zealand;
Argentina's repeated upsetting of the world order; last-minute drop
goals by Joel Stransky and Jonny Wilkinson, and the sheer
exuberance of the Pacific Islanders - in a Rugby World Cup history
which will appeal to fans of every nation.
Rugby Revealed is the definitive guide to rugby in terms of the
roles and responsibilities of each individual position and how they
combine to create a tactically astute rugby team. This engaging
guide to rugby union will help coaches and players understand the
modern game, giving practical advice to achieve maximum results
with optimum technique. With its mix of contributions from leading
names, practical coaching advice and player statistics, Rugby
Revealed includes: * the roles and responsibilities of each
position in 15-a-side rugby * correct technique for core skills *
the mechanics of the set piece * the elements for a successful
attack and defence Professional players such as Jamie Roberts,
Aaron Smith, Johnny Sexton, George Ford, Cian Healy, Manu Tuilagi,
Keven Mealamu and Marcos Ayerza, and leading coaches, including
Stuart Lancaster, Mike Cron, Dr Dave Alred, Mike Ford, Brendan
Venter and Sir John Kirwan, are some of the 101 top names who share
their insights into the game. This highly accessible guide will
help new, emerging and developing players and coaches reach their
rugby potential.
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