The Men in the Arena
England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup
Published on 3. August 2023
Book
Hardback
320 pages
978-1-915359-15-5 (ISBN)
Description
The ultimate World Cup showdown, in the words of those who were there.
Shortlisted for the Sports Book Awards Rugby Book of the Year.
From 1997 to 2003 England and Australia battled for domination of the rugby world in one of the greatest rivalries the sport has ever known. In The Men in the Arena, William Hill shortlisted authors Peter Burns and Tom English explore every aspect of the teams' journey to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, telling the story primarily in the words of the protagonists at the centre of the battle.
Featuring exclusive new interviews with players and coaches from both teams plus an array of superstars who faced them from New Zealand, Ireland, France, Wales and beyond, this is the inside story like it has never been told before.
'A splendid re-telling of English rugby's most celebrated story. Cracking stuff from start to finish' - Robert Kiston, The Guardian
Shortlisted for the Sports Book Awards Rugby Book of the Year.
From 1997 to 2003 England and Australia battled for domination of the rugby world in one of the greatest rivalries the sport has ever known. In The Men in the Arena, William Hill shortlisted authors Peter Burns and Tom English explore every aspect of the teams' journey to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, telling the story primarily in the words of the protagonists at the centre of the battle.
Featuring exclusive new interviews with players and coaches from both teams plus an array of superstars who faced them from New Zealand, Ireland, France, Wales and beyond, this is the inside story like it has never been told before.
'A splendid re-telling of English rugby's most celebrated story. Cracking stuff from start to finish' - Robert Kiston, The Guardian
Reviews / Votes
'Highly recommended, a deep dive into one of the best-known rivalries between two rugby nations when both were at the peak of their powers. Great stuff. A fantastic, exciting read' -- Rob Robertson * Daily Mail * 'A splendid re-telling of English rugby's most celebrated story. Cracking stuff from start to finish' -- Robert Kitson * The Guardian * 'Sensational. For those who screamed and celebrated in 2003, this book is as good as it gets' -- Alex Payne * The Good, the Bad and the Rugby * 'A brilliant book' -- Chris Jones * BBC Sport * 'Another absolute classic' -- Paul WilliamsMore details
Language
English
Place of publication
Edinburgh
United Kingdom
Illustrations
16pp colour plates
Dimensions
Height: 238 mm
Width: 156 mm
Thickness: 39 mm
Weight
652 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-915359-15-5 (9781915359155)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Other editions
Additional editions
Peter Burns | Tom English
The Men in the Arena
England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup
E-Book
08/2023
Polaris Publishing Limited
€15.59
Available for download
Persons
Tom English is an award-winning BBC Sport writer and broadcaster. He is a co-author of the best-selling This is Your Everest (shortlisted for the William Hill Award in 2021), When Lions Roared (longlisted for the William Hill Award in 2018) and Behind The Lions. He lives in Bridge of Allan, Stirling.
Peter Burns has been a sports editor for over ten years. He is the author of nine books, including the best-selling This is Your Everest, When Lions Roared and Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions. He lives in Edinburgh.
Peter Burns has been a sports editor for over ten years. He is the author of nine books, including the best-selling This is Your Everest, When Lions Roared and Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions. He lives in Edinburgh.