Rugby

'There's no other place I'd rather have begun, no other place I ever wanted to reach. This is my story.'The first autobiography from legendary Welsh rugby player George North.Shortlisted for Autobiography of the Year and Rugby Book of the Year at the 2026 Sports Book AwardsGeorge North is a true legend of Welsh rugby, an integral part of the national team for fourteen years.Recently retired from the international game, he is the third-most-capped player in Welsh history with 121 Test appearances, the youngest player ever to reach 100 caps, and the second-highest try scorer with 47.At club level, he has played for the Scarlets, Northampton and Ospreys, and latterly Provence in France.North is open, charismatic, thoughtful but hugely competitive, and this is the first time he has reflected on his extraordinary career. Co-written with the brilliant sportswriter Tom Fordyce, this autobiography is an utterly compelling and enthralling retrospective, taking in George's life growing up in Anglesey on the North Welsh coast, before he burst onto the scene when he became the youngest player ever to score a try on his debut aged just 18.Full of heart and passion, George's story is a uniquely inspirational insight into the art, mastery and sheer force of the game of rugby.The perfect gift for rugby fans this Christmas.

Il rugby ha sempre celebrato il coraggio, ma nessun giocatore ha incarnato questo valore con la stessa intensità di Ian McKinley. Era una giovane promessa del rugby irlandese, uno dei talenti più brillanti della sua generazione, destinato a lasciare il segno. Eppure, un fatidico impatto durante una partita cambiò il suo destino per sempre. In un istante, il futuro luminoso che sembrava già a portata di mano si frantumò: McKinley rimase cieco da un occhio, costretto a dire addio al campo e ai suoi sogni nell'amara incertezza. Ma per Ian, la resa non era un'opzione. Deciso a non piegarsi, si trasferì in Italia, in cerca di una nuova prospettiva e di un modo per restare vicino al rugby. Anche se il ruolo di allenatore gli permise di rimanere con il cuore nello sport, la voglia di tornare a giocare non l'aveva abbandonato. Seconda chance non è solo una storia di sport. È il racconto di un uomo che ha trasformato la tragedia in motivazione, che ha rifiutato di lasciarsi definire da un evento terribile. La sua vita è diventata un tributo allo spirito umano, capace di resistere, di reinventarsi e di superare ogni ostacolo, anche quelli che sembrano insormontabili. Das Urheberrecht an bibliographischen und produktbeschreibenden Daten und an den bereitgestellten Bildern liegt bei Informazioni Editoriali, I.E. S.r.l., oder beim Herausgeber oder demjenigen, der die Genehmigung erteilt hat. Alle Rechte vorbehalten.

'I want absolutely nothing to do with this book.' - Owen FarrellTHREE RUGBY MEGASTARS.ONE EPIC BOOK.Welcome to the wild world of The Good, The Bad & The Rugby.They say what goes on tour stays on tour...but not this time.Dive headfirst into the banter, bruises and brilliance of rugby with the team behind The Good, The Bad & The Rugby podcast. Packed with shenanigans, laugh-out-loud stories and a little chaos, this book offered a behind-the-scenes pass to the lives, laughs and legendary matches of three rugby megastars - on and off the pitch.'There's rugby, laughter and, of course, more of me' - JAMES HASKELL'The lawyers are once again on standby' - ALEX PAYNE'I have no idea how this book deal was signed, but in the spirit of GBR -"One in, all in"' - MIKE TINDALLAmong the key questions answered are:- 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 James end up nearly killing himself on the way to the DJ set, find himself forced to save Payno from Tins and get confronted by irate fan?- Why did Alex's broadcasting career sink to such depressing depths? And will it ever recover? (Spoiler alert - it won't.)In this epically no-holds-barred book, all three of them go behind the scenes of the hugely successful podcast, pulling back the curtain to reveal their most outrageous antics on tour - the ups, the downs and the sideways - and leaving no story untold.All is unleashed.

"True friends are always there, even when times are tough." - Rob Burrow<BR><BR>The 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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>Five-star reader reviews:<BR><BR>'The perfect love letter to friendship'<BR>'Had me in tears but happy tears'<BR>'Ideal as a present for a special friend'<BR>'A beautiful little book'<BR><BR>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).

Is there always someone else to blame for your failures?Afraid of putting the real work in to achieve your goals?Are you sick of just being average and do you want to start winning?It's time to drown out self-doubt and the distracting noise of everyday life, to conquer your fears and approach challenges without caution.One of rugby's most ferocious flankers and successful players, James Haskell has always strived to be at the very top of his game. To achieve a global rugby career, he knew he had to keep his body strong. To go on to found an award-winning production company and become a successful DJ and bestselling author, he knew he had to keep his mind even stronger.Revolutionary and revealing, Approach With(out) Caution presents James Haskell as you've never known him. James takes the lessons he's learned, both on and off the pitch, and turns them into a five-pillar plan to help you take control of your life.

“Taking risks and pushing oneself to the limit are strong themes, as well, and the loving bond between a father and son is evident throughout . . . . A tale that will appeal to sports fans and those who appreciate the determination and physical and mental toughness required to thrive at the top level of sports.” —Kirkus <BR><BR>The inspiring story of Nate Ebner's bond with his unconventional father and its remarkable consequences<BR><BR>Nate Ebner and his father were inseparable. From an early age, they worked side-by-side in the family junkyard, where part of the job was dispensing citizen's justice to aspiring robbers, and they worked out side-by-side in their grungy homemade gym. Even though Nate was a great peewee football player in football-mad Ohio, he followed his father's passion for rugby and started playing for the same club as his father when he was only thirteen years old. <BR><BR>But Nate had to face the fact that there was no way to make a living as a professional rugby player in this country. So Nate gave his dad the news that he planned to quit rugby and go out for the football team at Ohio State University, with an eye toward making the NFL. As a goal for someone who hadn't even played high school football, this was completely ridiculous. Without blinking, his father told him that if he gave up what he had built in rugby, he had to see it through. It was the last conversation they ever had--the next day, his father was brutally murdered at work by a would-be robber.<BR><BR>Nate went on to make the Ohio State team and when NFL Draft Day came, he was selected by the New England Patriots. Three Super Bowl rings later, his legacy in the sport is secure. But he got another unexpected chance to honor his father's memory when the Olympics admitted rugby as a sport for the 2016 Games. Against long odds, he made the team and competed in Rio in the sport he and his father loved above all others.<BR><BR>An astonishing story of what a father will do for a son and what a son will do for a father, Finish Strong is a powerful reminder that the lessons parents embody for their children continue to bear fruit long after they are gone.<BR><BR><BR>

Utterly compelling and continually surprising (Christopher Sutton, foxports.com.au) In an age when few things stay the same for any length of time, Wayne Bennett's unprecedented 21-year run as coach of the Brisbane Broncos is an extraordinary achievement. His men won all six of the grand finals they contested in this time, and as Queensland State of Origin coach, Bennett lost just two series out of seven. In two stints as Australian coach, he built an incredible record of 11 wins and a draw from 15 tests. WAYNE BENNEtt: tHE MAN IN tHE MIRROR is the candid story of this remarkable man who helped launch a new rugby league club and turned it into a powerhouse. Bennett has always sought to make a difference. A man of principle, Bennett has had to make many tough choices over the years, such as sacking the legendary Wally Lewis and joining the Super League revolution. In 2008, he made the shock decision to leave the Broncos, and join the ailing Sydney club St George Illawarra. Once again, Bennett is aiming to prove the critics wrong; to prove he's one of a kind. throughout his great football adventure, Bennett and his wife trish have raised three children, two of whom are disabled. When ABC's AUStRALIAN StORY showcased him and his family in 1999, the episode achieved record ratings and showed the softer side of this notoriously media-shy public figure. three years later, he wrote the inspirational DON't DIE WItH tHE MUSIC IN YOU, which has now sold more than 100,000 copies.

**Winner of the Rugby Book of the Year at the Sports Book Awards 2022**<BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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. <BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>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.<BR><BR>*****<BR><BR>'Well-researched . . . a pleasure to read. There are plenty of colourful characters' - THE TIMES<BR><BR>'The fascinating tale of the Russian-born aristocrat who helped England beat the All-Blacks for the first time' JOHN AIZLEWOOD, I NEWS<BR><BR>'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<BR><BR>'Expertly fills in the gaps . . . Now we have a biography his story deserves' - THE RUGBY PAPER

A hilarious and, at times, moving and soul-searching account of rugby union’s rollercoaster days in the 1990s, told through the eyes of a player who saw it all as the sport lurched shambolically from the crazy final days of amateurism into the professional era.<BR><BR>Martin Bayfield has a story to tell. Indeed, some might describe it as a very tall story. Standing at 6ft 10ins, the former England and British and Irish Lions second row remains one of the tallest players ever to have played international rugby, and his immense physical stature made him one of the most destructive forwards in the world game. He played for England during one of the most successful eras in English rugby, winning two Grand Slams alongside legendary players such as Will Carling, Jeremy Guscott, Brian Moore and Rory Underwood. <BR><BR>His international heyday came at a seminal moment for rugby union when, almost overnight, it was transformed from a noble minority sport to a celebrity event, with stories appearing on the front pages of the British tabloids. Now Bayfield is ready to reveal the inside story of that rip-roaring decade that changed forever the face of English rugby. The book provides an emotional link between the generations, so that today’s fans can reconnect with rugby's soul. Renowned as one of rugby's best and most entertaining storytellers, the former policeman and Hagrid's body double has written a brilliant and very funny love letter to a sport that continues to inspire and entertain millions.

In a nation of rugby heroes, Jamie Roberts has become a legend.<BR><BR> Jamie Roberts is your quintessential hard man: a 6 foot 4, 17 stone slab of rippling muscle, conditioned to run hard into other huge men in an arena where physical dominance is the prime currency. Yet away from rugby, he's a mild-mannered and thoughtful man - a qualified doctor with a thirst for knowledge and a curiosity about the world around him. It's an intriguing contradiction.<BR><BR> In his first full season with the Cardiff Blues he was picked by new Wales coach Warren Gatland in the Grand Slam-winning side of 2008. He was still establishing his position in the national team when he toured with the 2009 Lions, emerging as Player of the Series. He went on to win 97 Test caps and play for clubs in Paris, London and Cape Town, yet his career has seldom been straightforward.<BR><BR> A fractured skull was one of many injuries he had to overcome, and from the start he had to juggle the competing demands of university life and professional rugby. The joy of Six Nations success with Wales was balanced by heartbreak in the World Cup and disappointment against southern-hemisphere teams, while major trophies at club level proved frustratingly elusive.<BR><BR> In this colourful and frank account of a sterling career, Jamie Roberts reveals all about life on tour, in boot camps and in dressing rooms filled with once-in-a-generation characters such as Mike Phillips, Andy Powell, Shaun Edwards, Martyn Williams, Brian O'Driscoll and Johnny Sexton. He also shares his views on concussion in rugby, the failings of the professional structure in Wales and the vital role of old-school team-bonding.

The side-splittingly hilarious new book from Sunday Times bestselling author, rugby icon, and stag do in human form, James Haskell.It¿s 2021 and James is at a crossroads. His glittering international rugby career that took him from England to New Zealand and France ¿ including 77 caps for England ¿ is over. What will he do now? What is his purpose in life?In Ruck Me, James sets out on a voyage of self-discovery speaking to ex-colleagues, friends and family, reflecting on his career and diving into some of his most memorable personal anecdotes to date. But what started out as a search for understanding and meaning soon turns into a ¿ let¿s face it, sometimes warranted ¿ chastisement opportunity with James directly in the firing line. Turns out he has a lot of work to döAs funny as it is outrageous, this brilliant book acts as a lesson on how (not) to retire gracefully and move forward. And ruck me ¿ you won¿t want to miss it.

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 Flankerdelves 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...

In a nation of rugby heroes, Jamie Roberts has become a legend.<BR><BR>Jamie Roberts is your quintessential hard man: a 6 foot 4, 17 stone slab of rippling muscle, conditioned to run hard into other huge men in an arena where physical dominance is the prime currency. Yet away from rugby, he's a mild-mannered and thoughtful man - a qualified doctor with a thirst for knowledge and a curiosity about the world around him. It's an intriguing contradiction.<BR><BR>In his first full season with the Cardiff Blues he was picked by new Wales coach Warren Gatland in the Grand Slam-winning side of 2008. He was still establishing his position in the national team when he toured with the 2009 Lions, emerging as Player of the Series. He went on to win 97 Test caps and play for clubs in Paris, London and Cape Town, yet his career has seldom been straightforward. <BR><BR>A fractured skull was one of many injuries he had to overcome, and from the start he had to juggle the competing demands of university life and professional rugby. The joy of Six Nations success with Wales was balanced by heartbreak in the World Cup and disappointment against southern-hemisphere teams, while major trophies at club level proved frustratingly elusive.<BR><BR>In this colourful and frank account of a sterling career, Jamie Roberts reveals all about life on tour, in boot camps and in dressing rooms filled with once-in-a-generation characters such as Mike Phillips, Andy Powell, Shaun Edwards, Martyn Williams, Brian O'Driscoll and Johnny Sexton. He also shares his views on concussion in rugby, the failings of the professional structure in Wales and the vital role of old-school team-bonding.

The phenomenal bestselling autobiography of Eddie Jones, the England Rugby head coach and one of the most respected coaches in sport.

When Rassie Erasmus took over as coach of the Springboks in 2018, few thought they had a chance of winning the Rugby World Cup. The Boks had slipped to seventh in the world rankings and lost the faith of the rugby-loving public. Less than two years later, jubilant crowds lined the streets of South Africa’s cities to welcome back the victorious team.Sportswriter Lloyd Burnard takes the reader on the thrilling journey of a team that went from no-hopers to world champions. He examines how exactly this turnaround was achieved. Interviewswith players, coaches and support staff reveal how the principles of inclusion, openness and focus, as well as careful planning and superb physical conditioning, became the basis for a winning formula. The key roles played by Rassie Erasmus and Siya Kolisi shine through.There were ups and downs along the way: beating the All Blacks in Wellington during the Rugby Championship was a high point, but then came Kolisi’s injury, while in Japan the distractions of a volatile support base sometimes shook the players’ focus. Miracle Men is filled with marvellous anecdotes and sharp insights. It is also inspiring testimony to what can be achieved when a group of South Africans from all backgrounds come together as a team.