Behind the Jersey

For 125 years the British & Irish Lions have stood out as a unique emblem in world sport. They represent the best of the best from the four Home Nations, coming together every four years under a united badge to take on the rugby greats of the Southern Hemisphere. Lions tours embody a revered legacy that is steeped in tradition yet maintains a vibrant standing in the modern era. The Lions badge is a symbol of the ethics, values and the romance at the heart of Test match rugby. Every four years the rugby world's focus is drawn to a great red pilgrimage as the Lions embark on a brutal and exhilarating tour that challenges the very limits of their rugby ability and the strengths of their characters. They travel to the far reaches of the earth to confront the great powers in the world game - and the weight of history itself. Behind the Lions sees four esteemed rugby writers from each of the Home Nations delve to the heart of what it means to be a Lion, interviewing a vast array of former tourists to uncover the passion, pride and exhilaration experienced when wearing the famous red jersey. It is a tale of heart-break and ecstasy, humor and poignancy that is at once inspirational, moving and utterly compelling. This is the story of the British & Irish Lions - in their own words.

A history of the longstanding US-vs.-Europe golf competition-told by those who have participated. Includes numerous photos. Go inside the locker room for a history of the Ryder Cup as you've never experienced it before. Ranging from the origin matches that preceded the first official trans-Atlantic encounter between Britain and America at Worcester Country Club in 1927 through to the fortieth installment at Gleneagles, this is the history of the Ryder Cup-told by the men who have been there. With extensive research and exclusive new material garnered from interviews with players and captains from across the decades, Behind the Ryder Cup unveils the compelling truth of what it means to play in golf's biggest match-play event, where greats of the game have crumbled under pressure while others have carved their names into sporting legend.

Fully updated to include Ireland's historic victory over the All Blacks and their 2018 Six Nations Grand Slam. From Jack Kyle's immortals to Brian O'Driscoll's golden generation, this is the story of Irish rugby told in the players' words. Celebrated rugby writer Tom English embarks on a pilgrimage through the four provinces to reveal the fascinating and illuminating story of playing test rugby in the emerald green of Ireland - all the glory of victory, all the pain of defeat, and all the craic behind the scenes. But this is more than just a nostalgic look back through the years, it is a searing portrait of the effects of politics and religion on Irish sport, a story of great schisms and volatile divisions, but also as story of the profound unity, passionate friendships and the bonds of a brotherhood. With exclusive new interview material with a host of Ireland rugby greats, No Borders unveils the compelling truth of what it means to play for Ireland at Lansdowne Road, Croke Park and around the world. This is the ultimate history of Irish rugby - told, definitively, by the men who have been there and done it.

Based on a combination of painstaking research into the early years of the England team and exclusive interviews with a vast array of Test match stars from before World War II to the present day, this book delves into the very heart of the English international rugby union experience, painting a unique and utterly compelling picture of the game in the only words that can truly do so: the players' own. This is the definitive story of English Test match rugby-a story etched in blood, sweat and tears; a story of great joy and heartbreaking sorrow; a story of sacrifice, agony, endeavor, and triumph. Behind the Rose lifts the lid on what it is to play for England: the trials and tribulations behind the scenes, the glory, the drama and the honor on the field, and the tales of friendship and humor off it. Absorbing and illuminating, this is a must-have for all supporters who have ever dreamed of walking the hallowed corridors of Twickenham as a Test match player, preparing themselves for battle in the changing rooms and then marching out to that field of dreams with the deafening roar of the crowd in their ears and the red rose emblazoned on their chest. "A historical treasure trove." -The Guardian Includes photos

A complete history of rugby's most famous yet enigmatic team, the New Zealand All Blacks, told by the men who have worn the iconic black jersey. Go behind the scenes with the world's most successful sports team. From the legendary 1905 "Originals" all the way through to Richie McCaw's record-breaking back-to-back World Cup champions of 2015, this is a history of the All Blacks like you have never experienced it before. Thanks to exhaustive archival research and exclusive new material garnered from a vast array of interviews with players and coaches from across the decades, Behind the Silver Fern unveils the compelling truth of what it means to play for the team that has dominated Test match rugby for over a century-all the trials and tribulations behind the scenes, the glory, the drama and the honor on the field, and the passionate friendships and bonds of a brotherhood off it. Absorbing and illuminating, this is the ultimate history of New Zealand rugby-told, definitively, by the men who have been there and done it. "A treat for anybody who enjoys a little inside track into the great and controversial moments. There is little as revealing in sport as thoughts delivered straight from the horse's mouth." -The Rugby Paper

This is a complete history of the Welsh rugby union team—told by the players themselves. Based on a combination of painstaking research into the early years of the Wales team to interviews with a vast array of Test match players and coaches from the Second World War to the present day, Ross Harries delves to the very heart of what it means to play for Wales, painting a unique and utterly compelling picture of the game in the only words that can truly do so: the players' own. Behind the Dragon lifts the lid on what it is to pull on the famous red shirt—the trials and tribulations behind the scenes, the glory, the drama and the honour on the field, and the heart-warming tales of friendship and humour off it. Absorbing and illuminating, this is the ultimate history of Welsh rugby—told, definitively, by the men who have been there and done it.

A rugby history based on exclusive interviews that "takes the reader as close to the action as it is possible to get, short of invading the pitch" (The Scotsman). Based on exclusive interviews with players past and present, Behind the Thistle gives a unique insight into the drama and emotion of representing Scotland in that most rarefied of environments-Test match rugby. Drawing on firsthand interviews from a vast array of former and current players, from Russell Bruce and Frank Coutts in the 1940s all the way through to the present day, the authors uncover the heart and soul of Scottish rugby, recounting the ecstasy of victory and the despair of defeat, drawing out innumerable humorous anecdotes and heartwarming memories. Behind the Thistle provides inside access to the private moments in the changing and team rooms, on tour, and on the pitch itself. From the tension before kick-off to the tumultuous heat-of-battle and the high jinks thereafter, this is the story of what it is like to play for Scotland, and the sacrifices and joys experienced by those who have shed blood, sweat, and tears in pursuit of glory in the international jersey. Absorbing, illuminating, and compelling, this is a must-have for all supporters who have dreamed of playing for Scotland. "Really good reminiscences from hosts of Scottish rugby greats about a host of great Scotland rugby occasions." -Sunday Times