Rugby Stories...and other misadventures was incredibly enjoyable. I'm a bit of a history buff and the one area of American rugby history I always wanted to know more about was the period in the 1960s and 70s, when the Eagles were just formulating. The generation of players that came of age during that period is only getting old and some of the stories from that time are getting lost. The greatest triumph of "Rugby Stories" is that it preserves that part of history for future generations. Written by former Eagle, UCLA, and Santa Monica player Dave Stephenson, "Rugby Stories" offers a unique take on a crucial period in U.S. rugby history. Stephenson's writing style is like his play on the field, solid with a touch of bravado. He tells the story of his emergence as a school player in England, to immigrant in Los Angeles where he finds rugby once again. Stephenson has an interesting life that in and of itself is well worth a story and when you throw in rugby, it makes a great combination. The inside knowledge Stephenson provides of the early Eagles is invaluable. It was a different time back then, and while things didn't always run smoothly, the passion that all of those involved had was impressive. If there is one disappointment, it's that Stephenson isn't around for years and years with the team, but that's something you'll have to read about in the book. It's more than just the early history of the Eagles that makes "Rugby Stories" valuable for the American rugby fans, it's the early history of UCLA and Santa Monica as well. Stephenson was part of Dennis Storer's legendary Bruins squads that challenged for the World Cup with Cal and UBC, as well as in the Monterey Tournament, the unofficial national championship at the time. He was also a founding member of Santa Monica Rugby Club. This is a crucial part of American rugby history and that should make "Rugby Stories" a crucial part of your rugby book collection. I can't recommend this book highly enough. I learned so much about American rugby history that I couldn't find anywhere else. ThisisAmericanrugby.com

The story of the search by the author to discover the truth about the death of his uncle, a pilot in one of Churchill's Special Duties Squadrons during WW2. The parallel descriptions of the RAF career of F/Lt John Menzies and his nephew's dogged determination to find out what happened to him culminate in the discovery of the wreckage of his aircraft. Information discovered along the way raises many questions, not all of which have been answered. In the 10 years that have passed since the first publication of this book many other families have found out the truth of the careers of their relatives in the Special Duties Squadrons, largely through the continuing work of the author, who has become an authority on the subject.

"Rugby - Backs Moves" is a collection of moves or "plays" which any group of backs in a rugby team can use during a match. The book is intended to be something which anyone who coaches senior or junior rugby, at rugby clubs or in schools, can use to develop their team's back play. The book is an ideal companion for use on the training ground or in team meetings. Each move is described on two adjacent pages, which appear side by side as you open out the book. For each move, the book identifies the area of the opposition's defensive alignment on which the attack is focused and the lines of running for each player involved in the move. The book also identifies from which side of the pitch any move can be used and whether it works from a scrum, a line-out or from other phases of play. Variations on individual moves are explained, with cross-references included to where the variations are described elsewhere in the book. For each move, the book also contains a "Key Points" narrative, with tips on how best to make the move work and points to look out for in running the move. The moves are illustrated with easy to understand diagrams and space is provided for coaches to jot down any thoughts that spring to mind as they try out the moves during practice or match play. The book includes various indexed lists, which enable the reader to find particular types of move, such as moves to run from the left or right side of the pitch, from a scrum or line-out or through a particular channel in the opposition's defence.

ROCKY: LEADER OF THE WALLABIES is an insightful and revealing look into the rugby union career of one of Australia's greatest Wallabies, Rocky Elsom. "Rocky Elsom is a rugby player of the old school. No frills, lots of spills, and with a will to win that would kill a brown dog. He is an Australian original who is also a hugely admired figure in international rugby." - Peter Fitzsimons "He is prepared to stand up against the tide and inspire others to do the same" Robbie Deans ROCKY ELSOM: LEADER OF tHE WALLABIES is an insightful and revealing look into the rugby union career of one of Australia's greatest Wallabies, Rocky Elsom, as seen through the eyes of the key figures in his life, including family members, team-mates and coaches. From representing Australia at under 16s level to attaining cult status in Ireland and named as the best player in the world, Rocky has exerted the same talismanic influence on the Wallabies that Richie McCaw has had on New Zealand. A rugged individualist, Rocky's biggest task to date will be leading the Australian team for the World Cup in New Zealand in September 2011. "After covering Rocky's career as a journalist for eight years I thought I had a fair idea of him, but I realized I hardly knew him at all. Rocky is like a modern day renaissance Man, a Leonardo da Vinci in studs. Apart from being one of the greatest Wallabies of his generation, Rocky is a musician, a philosopher, an entrepreneur and a pilot just to list a few of his pastimes. Most people enjoy speaking about, even boasting about, their interests, especially if that is landing a rickety two-seater t-Bird sideways on a slippery runway, not Rocky. He rarely talks about it, he just does it." - Bret Harris

"Rugby - Backs Moves" is a collection of moves or "plays" which any group of backs in a rugby team can use during a match. The book is intended to be something which anyone who coaches senior or junior rugby, at rugby clubs or in schools, can use to develop their team's back play. The book is an ideal companion for use on the training ground or in team meetings. Each move is described on two adjacent pages, which appear side by side as you open out the book. For each move, the book identifies the area of the opposition's defensive alignment on which the attack is focused and the lines of running for each player involved in the move. The book also identifies from which side of the pitch any move can be used and whether it works from a scrum, a line-out or from other phases of play. Variations on individual moves are explained, with cross-references included to where the variations are described elsewhere in the book. For each move, the book also contains a "Key Points" narrative, with tips on how best to make the move work and points to look out for in running the move. The moves are illustrated with easy to understand diagrams and space is provided for coaches to jot down any thoughts that spring to mind as they try out the moves during practice or match play. The book includes various indexed lists, which enable the reader to find particular types of move, such as moves to run from the left or right side of the pitch, from a scrum or line-out or through a particular channel in the opposition's defence.

Johnny 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 Mail

In 1995 rugby union finally became a professional sport following more than a century as an amateur game. This book offers a critical analysis of the sport in the professional era and assesses the relationship between the local and the global in contemporary rugby union.

South Africa is a land of contrasts, as the tourist brochures promise, and this is true for the game of rugby.

From the Pretoria heartland to the aspirant Eastern Cape, from the hardscrabble Cape Flats to the islands of privilege at Bishops and Grey College, no other rugby-playing nation has to grapple with so much diversity. Different languages, classes, races and cultures - each bearing the wounds of the country's fractured past - have to be melded into winning teams.

Liz McGregor has spent the past three years shadowing Currie Cup, Super 14 and Springbok teams across the country, and has come to the conclusion that it is this very diversity, combined with the pain of the past and the dreams of a great united future, that provide the elusive alchemy that separates a good team from a great one.

Touch, Pause, Engage! is more than a book about rugby. It is an intimate look at how South Africa's erstwhile elite is adapting to its new circumstances. Team South Africa has been through many a maul and bruising scrum, but is inching closer and closer to the tryline.

Originally published in 1938, this is book is a comprehensive manual of rugby technique and tactics. Well illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams, this still contains much of practical use to the modern reader. Contents Include: Individual Practice - Dribbling - Tackling - Kicking - Passing - Body-Swing and Running with the Ball - Combined Practice - The Forwards - The Tight Scrum - The Loose Scrum - The Line Out - Forwards in Defence - Forwards in Attack - The Backs - The Scrum-Half - The Stand-off Half - The Three-quarters, The Centres - The Three-quarters, The Wings - The Full-back - Combined Attack - Combined Defence - Miscellaneous - Clothing, Training, etc - Refeering and Touch-judging - Learning From Example

Originally published in 1928, this is a wonderfully comprehensive look at 'rugger'. It includes personal reminiscences of some of the top players from the 1900s and goes on to offer a complete training and tactics guide. Illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams, the book still has much practical advice to offer the modern rugby enthusiast, as well as the historical interest. Many of the earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. Hesperides Press are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork. Contents Include - James Baxter - Vice-Admiral P. M. Royds, C. B., C. M . G., Royal Navy - PART 1. - RUGGER REMINISCENCES: Early Days and School Rugger - Flying and Football - Trial by Ordeal - Cambridge Reorganisation and the Varsity Match of 1922 - The Services Championship and First R. A. F. Victory, International Matches - Cambridge Tour in France - The 1924-25 All Blacks Tour and County Rugger -Recent International Matches - Players and Personalities I Have Met - The Spirit of the Game. PART TWO- THE THEORY AND PRACTICE OF RUGBY FOOTBALL: Equipment, Training and Elementary Principles - What every Player Must Able to do - Forwards: Their Duties in the Tight and in the Loose - The Players Behind the Scrum and their Duties in Attack and Defence - Set Positions in Attack and Defence - The New Zealand and Dublin University Formations - Captaincy and Refereeing - The Modern Game and Future Tendencies - Comments on the Laws and the Game - Rugby Football Government - Playing and Coaching at Schools - Brief Histories of the Leading Clubsin England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales. PART 3-RECORDS: Vital Facts in the History of Rugby Football - The Bye-Laws and Laws of Rugby Football - Record - Lists of International Players

The Authors of this Rugby Manual are respected professional associates. I have previously discussed the introduction of the Mechanics of Physics into Rugby through Bio-Science Technology with them. They have gone one-step further and compiled this informative Techno-Bio-Science 15-man Rugby Manual and envisage the contents of these manuals IE Upgraded Technical Proficiencies, Tackling Techniques, Tactics and Strategies will become pre-requisites to achieve a professional status, be it as a player or coach at a senior level.
This Rugby Manual is very well written, defined and fully illustrated. Implementing the factual dynamics of integrating Techno-Bio-Science promoting a new mode of Smart Rugby. A Pre-Requisite for winning ways.
Continuing on the same theme Bert, Margo & Team have designed an Elite Fitness Program in a Computerised Excel Somatograph Format, (can be purchased separately), depicting and analyzing Personal Fitness Assessment, in my opinion a very useful tool to have in your possession.
www.futuristicrugby.com
www.sportsrevent.com

No other rugby book to date has been so well designed, so easy to use, and so committed to weight training. This book will have the player increasing strength, quickness, agility, and endurance.

Originally published in 1928, this is a wonderfully comprehensive look at 'rugger'. It includes personal reminiscences of some of the top players from the 1900s and goes on to offer a complete training and tactics guide. Illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams, the book still has much practical advice to offer the modern rugby enthusiast, as well as the historical interest. Many of these earliest books, particularly those dating back to the 1900s and before, are now extremely scarce and increasingly expensive. We are republishing these classic works in affordable, high quality, modern editions, using the original text and artwork.

Originally published in 1938, this is book is a comprehensive manual of rugby technique and tactics. Well illustrated throughout with photographs and diagrams, this still contains much of practical use to the modern reader. Contents Include: Individual Practice; Dribbling; Tackling; Kicking; Passing; Body-Swing and Running with the Ball; Combined Practice; The Forwards; The Tight Scrum; The Loose Scrum; The Line Out; Forwards in Defence; Forwards in Attack; The Backs; The Scrum-Half; The Stand-off Half; The Three-quarters, The Centres; The Three-quarters, The Wings; The Full-back; Combined Attack; Combined Defence; Miscellaneous; Clothing, Training, etc; Refereeing and Touch-judging; Learning From Example.

Fully updated to contain Sir Ian McGeechan's reflections on the 2017 Lions tour to New Zealand. 2017 saw the latest contest between the British Lions and New Zealand - the ultimate rugby clash between the northern and southern hemisphere. Ian McGeechan is the 'Ultimate Lion', and no one could have done more than McGeechan to promote the magic of the Lions. McGeechan played for the Lions in their unbeaten 1974 tour of South Africa, and again in the 1977 tour of New Zealand. Subsequently he has been the head coach on four Lions tours. In this unique and fascinating book which celebrates the immensity of rugby at the top level, Ian McGeechan uses his own coaching notes to provide his special insight and background into what it means to be a Lion. By looking at various themes such as selection, how to create the right environment and how to build the players into what he describes as 'Test-match animals' the reader learns how some of the most successful Lions tours in history were built. Writing always with passion for his various themes it is easy to see how he inspired his players to extraordinary physical endeavour. Rich in anecdote as well as facts, McGeechan brings to life many of the rugby legends with whom he played or coached - including Gareth Edwards, Gavin Hastings, Martin Johnson and Paul O'Connell amongst others. Hugely readable The Lions: When the Going Gets Tough splendidly conveys the massive excitement that is generated whenever there is a Lions tour.

In 1905, Vic Cartwright's England rugby team lined up against Dave Gallaher's touring All Blacks at Crystal Palace - the first ever meeting of two national teams. Ensuing matches, in both the amateur and professional eras, have been dramatic and controversial, steeped in the historical rivalry of the traditional home of the game for the nation that has claimed rugby as its own. Men in white (such as Wakefield, Beaumont, Carling, Leonard and Johnson) versus men in black (Meads, Lochore, Fitzpatrick, Lomu, McCaw). Hakas drowned out by rousing renditions of 'Swing Low, Sweet Chariot'. Grinding forward tussles on cold, murky afternoons and sweeping back-line movements on sun-lit grounds. Thorny Encounters chronicles the first 40 Test matches between England and New Zealand, in which giants of the sport have measured themselves against each other. In the professional era, the match has become the clash of the hemispheres.

Ronan O'Gara has been at the heart of Munster and Irish rugby for the past fifteen years. Now, as he comes to the end of a glittering playing career, it is time for him to reflect on those many successes and occasional failures with the straight-talking attitude that has become his trademark. Never one to shy away from the truth, the result is Ronan O'Gara: Unguarded. Packed full of anecdotes and analysis of the teammates O'Gara has been proud to share the shirt with, and of the coaches he has played under - often in controversial circumstances - this is the definitive record of an era when Munster rose to triumph in Europe, and Ireland to win the Grand Slam, before crashing down to earth again. It is simply the must-have rugby book of the year.

Welsh Rugby 101 is a compendium of fascinating facts, stats, stories, personalities and trivia - perfect for all fans of Welsh rugby. From the very first Test match against England in 1881 all the way through to the present day, Welsh rugby'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 the Principality over the years. Whether an expert or a novice, this is the perfect companion for those who follow Wales's exploits on the field and love to bask in light of its glorious (and sometimes inglorious) past.

'We spent all our time surrounded by police cordons and barbed wire, never mind having our bus hijacked.' - Tommy Bedford, Springboks No. 8 2019 and 2020 mark the fiftieth anniversary of the controversial 1969/70 Springbok rugby tour of the British Isles - a landmark event on both a sporting and political level. Taking place during the time of South Africa's apartheid dispensation, the tour was characterised throughout by violent demonstrations against the 'ambassadors of apartheid'. Scenes of chanting demonstrators at the players' hotels and airports were not uncommon, nor was the sight of protesters being dragged off the field of play by police. Smoke bombs and flour bombs also became a match-day fixture. These were wild and unnerving times for the players on tour, whose movements were badly inhibited and who had to play hide-and-seek to avoid possible violence between games of rugby. During a demanding tour that lasted more than three months and took them to and fro between England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland, they endeavoured to sustain a proud tradition of highly successful Springbok tours through the Isles. Through personal interviews with the players, including team captain Dawie de Villiers, vice-captain Tommy Bedford and other senior members of the squad, as well as key figures such as anti-apartheid campaigner Peter Hain, Rugby Behind Barbed Wire takes readers into the inner circle of a besieged group of sportsmen who just wanted to play rugby despite concerted efforts to deny them. The author also looks at the political context of events, and why so many felt that disrupting the tour was a matter of moral and political necessity.

Shortlised for the 2022 SBA Best Sports Book of the 21st Century prize The gripping inside story of when an England-Scotland rugby match become more than a game Murrayfield, the Calcutta Cup, March 1990. England vs. Scotland - winner-takes-all for the Five Nations Grand Slam, the biggest prize in northern hemisphere rugby. Will Carling's England are the very embodiment of Margaret Thatcher's Britain - snarling, brutish and all-conquering. Scotland are the underdogs - second-class citizens from a land that's become the testing ground for the most unpopular tax in living memory: Thatcher's Poll Tax. In Edinburgh, nationalism is rising high - what happens in the stadium will resound far beyond the pitch. Told with unprecedented access to key players, coaches and supporters on both sides (Will Carling, Ian McGeechan, Brian Moore and the rest), Tom English has produced a gripping account of a titanic struggle that thrusts the reader right into the heart of the action. Game on. 'A priceless read' Guardian 'Absolutely outstanding' The Times 'An epic tale' Daily Telegraph 'Gripping' Scottish Review of Books

Every week young children are hospitalized on the playing fields of Britain. Yet the subject is rarely investigated, nor is there any concerted attempt to work out how to make sport safer. Using meticulous, peerreviewed research, the book sets out the true risks associated with the sport, raising uncomfortable questions for politicians and the educational authorities. Would parents be so willing to let their children play rugby if they knew that the average risk of serious injury over the course of a season could be at least 17 percent, or nearly one in six?

What is the state of rugby? Is the game on the brink of expansion? Or is it on the brink of implosion? No game has undergone so traumatic a transformation since the turn of the century. The last of the major sports to embrace professionalism, rugby was propelled on a trajectory that has twisted its cumbersome frame to the limit in a drama compelling and appalling to behold. After a hundred years defying the future, rugby now shudders with the turmoil of its sudden leap into the modern world, attaining heights hitherto undreamed of, even as the strains - financial, political, social and medical - threaten to tear it apart. With a global focus (and a particular lens on Australasian and South African rugby), Unholy Union is a fascinating and in-depth analysis of the sport, examining the journey so far and speculating on where it will go next. It is irreverent and provocative, asking uncomfortable questions of rugby, but imbued throughout with affection for a game that integrates all human life, as beautiful as it is ugly, as in love with itself as it is terrified. Sports enter periods that make or break them. Rugby is in one now . . .