Learn about the fascinating history of the Scottish rugby union team in this detailed guide to all 700 of their matches. From 1871 to 2013, this book charts players, scores, and referees as well as containing a detailed match analysis.

John 'The Bull' Hayes is an Irish rugby legend. Keith Wood calls him a 'rugby giant', Donncha O'Callaghan calls him 'the heart and soul of the team', but Hayes is adored as much for his down-to-earth personality and background as his legendary status on the pitch. The phenomenon that is The Bull grew up in GAA farming heartland and was a late recruit to the game, only picking up a rugby ball at the age of 18. His determination on the pitch and passion for the shirt comes through in many a tale of graft and glory in the front row. Hayes relates his story of over 100 caps for his country, including four Triple Crowns and a glorious Grand Slam in 2009. Two Heineken Cup-winning campaigns gild an incredible career of over 200 games for Munster. This is the story of a giant of a man, and a rugby legend who is of the people.

For the last 130 years, the Borders has produced a long line of international class rugby players, out of all proportion to the area's small population, and has long been considered the heartland of Scottish rugby. Featuring interviews with many of the leading luminaries of Borders rugby, Neil Drysdale uncovers the passion for rugby in the Borders, how players were encouraged to play rugby by their mentors at Hawick, Gala, Melrose, Selkirk, Kelso and elsewhere, and gathers their thoughts on the future of the game in the region. In many ways, this book is a microcosm of Scottish rugby as a whole - the two Grand Slams of 1984 and 1990 were built around men from the South of Scotland, while the failure of the Border Reivers coincided with a dark period for the sport in Scotland - and seeks to discover why so many Lions legends from Jim Telfer and John Rutherford to Roy Laidlaw and Gary Armstrong, emerged to enhance the game without ever forgetting their roots. Including interviews with Doddie Weir, Craig Chalmers, Peter and Michael Dods, John Jeffrey and a host of other great as well as previously unsung heroes from behind the scenes, Southern Comfort reveals the different passions, hunger, humour, comradeship and local rivalries which fuels the region's love for rugby - and tells a story of how the South has risen above adversity to still produce the stars of the future.

Since taking over the job of All Black coach in December 2003, Graham Henry has revolutionised the way New Zealand views its national rugby team. He inherited a team that had not only capitulated in the semi-final of the World Cup - alluding to a psychological frailty that had infested New Zealand players - but also a team that had become divorced from the public after coach John Mitchell shunned media, sponsors and New Zealand Rugby Union executives. Henry has taken the view that if he does the same old things he'll get the same old results so has flouted convention throughout his tenure to try and give the All Blacks the best possible chance of winning the World Cup in 2007. He has introduced a radical rotational policy as he chases his dream of building two genuine test-quality teams, unearthed a host of global stars, unified the individual Super 14 franchises to support his cause, attempted to broaden the life skills of the players, kicked out the booze culture and created one of the best rugby sides ever seen. As a consequence, New Zealand will travel to France for the World Cup as red-hot favourites This book reveals how he has managed to succeed in areas where so many of his predecessors have failed. It is the ultimate journey behind the scenes of the All Black camp, detailing the key decisions and policies - how they were made and why they were made.

Talks about unsavoury exploits, jokes and drinking stories from rugby trips in one of the best tournaments in the world.

Investigates such diverse aspects of Welsh Rugby such as hangovers, karaoke, police stations, xenophobia, cheating referees, pranks on the team bus and more.

Lansdowne Road has long been renowned as a sacred place for international rugby and soccer. In this affectionate history, the authors lift the lid on its greatest days and nights. From the birth of the stadium in 1873 till it closed for rebuilding in 2006, they bring to life fascinating stories such as that of the Native American lacrosse team, the brilliant athletic stars of the 1940s and 1950s, and the American Football experiment. The triple crowns, stirring victories and memorable goals and tries that brought the crowd worldwide fame as 'The Lansdowne Roar' are all here, as well as the moments of comedy and tragedy that marked the life of Ireland's oldest stadium.

It is 50 years since the great 1967 All Blacks World Tour. Drawing on interviews with the surviving players, Alex McKay tells the remarkable story of events leading up to the tour, the historic series of 17-match wins, and how rugby in New Zealand has been transformed since then. 1967 witnessed worldwide social change in music, arts, sport and society. New Zealand saw the end of traditional 'six o'clock swill' and society started to move beyond the accepted standard of 'rugby, racing and beer'. The All Blacks team was at the centre of a dominant culture and this 1967 team is seen as having been enormously significant, not only in transforming the style of the game from a defensive to an attacking focus, but in the personal histories of its players. Many from the 1967 team went on to achieve success off the field - three players were knighted, while four other players were elected to Parliament. Their prowess in rugby was a major part of their young lives and it influenced many successful and fulfilling careers in teaching, business and farming - skills of discipline, management and leadership inspired by visionary coaches and the ethos of New Zealand in the 1960s.

Learn about the fascinating history of the Scottish rugby union team in this detailed guide to all 700 of their matches. From 1871 to 2013, this book charts players, scores, and referees as well as containing a detailed match analysis.

A collection of biographical, anecdotal, and literary essays on Britain's consuming passion for rugby, this account describes the exploits of the people's heroes from Gould to Gareth Edwards. The beauty and exhilaration of the game is vividly recaptured in classic prose, as are the emotions and expectations of the most passionate rugby aficionados in the world. From the humorous to the erudite, this selection features work from the likes of Richard Burton, Frank Keating, John Morgan, Dylan Thomas, Alan Watkins, and Harry Webb.

This text acts as a guide to help you enjoy the World Cup even more. Delight at the trues rugbyisms that you now see in a new light. Learn a little about those who surround the sport. As they say in this delicate game - forget the rules, let's kick off.

Tours by the British and Irish Lions to the great rugby strongholds of the Southern Hemisphere have always held a special place in the history of the game. Through players' diaries, and a private collection of action photographs and memorabilia, this title tells the story of the 1950 Lions' achievements, along with anecdotes and stories.

When Wales beat France to clinch the 2012 Six Nations Championship Grand Slam - one player stood out from the rest of the field. A powerful presence on the pitch, Dan Lydiate, the 6ft 4in fearless farmer's son from Llandrindod Wells truly deserved the title Player of the Tournament. In Grand Slam Man, the heroic Welsh flanker reflects on his comeback from a broken neck in 2008 to become the hero of Wales's 2012 Grand Slam success. He also reveals his thoughts on the Australia tour, his love of tackling, his life on the farm and his British Lions dream.

The Illustrated History of Rugby Union celebrates one of the world's oldest international team sports with a classic collection of images and rarely seen memorabilia, complemented by a lively text. Published in association with the World Rugby Museum, it covers the development of the game from the apocryphal moment when William Webb Ellis picked up a ball and ran with it during a football match at Rugby School in 1823, to the ultra professional game of today. It focuses on rugby union's history; the biggest rugby playing nations; the great competitions, such as the Six Nations Championship and The Rugby Championship as well the famous select teams, the British & Irish Lions and Barbarians; there are full reports on all eight Rugby World Cups and a complete RWC records section.

An ideal introduction to some of the most popular outdoor activities. Each title in the series describes basic techniques, skills, and equipment in an engaging style, and every concept is illustrated with full-color photos and drawings.

This brilliant selection of photographs and stories describes what it means to stare down the most famous ritual in sport, from the perspective of those who have been there. Facing the Haka examines the significance that the All Blacks' haka has in the wider rugby world, as well as the deep respect opponents have for the team. This is about standing in front of the haka, meeting the All Blacks on those key occasions, and reliving the stories of the games that followed. Facing the Haka covers many crucial moments in rugby history with great storytelling, fresh insights and all the information a fan could ask for.