
The Only Way I Know
The Autobiography
Andy Farrell(Author)
Penguin Books Ltd (Publisher)
Will be published approx. on 15. October 2026
Book
Paperback/Softback
416 pages
978-1-4059-6589-7 (ISBN)
Description
THE NO. 1 BESTSELLER
Shortlisted for Sports Book of The Year, Irish Book Awards 2025
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'A terrific book' Brendan O'Connor, RTE Radio 1
'An absorbing insight into the mind of a leader' Irish Times
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At the age of 16, a boy amongst men, Andy Farrell made his first-team debut for Wigan Warriors - and became a father for the first time. At 18, he won his first senior international cap. At 21, he won his first Man of Steel Award for the Super League player of the year. He went on to win the Golden Boot award for world player of the year.
All of that on its own would have been enough to make him a sporting legend - and none of it even hinted at the fascinating second chapter of his sporting life, as a rugby union player with Saracens and England, or the third chapter, as a highly successful and beloved union coach. Under his leadership, Ireland have played a brilliant brand of rugby combining precision and freedom, and have won two of the past three Six Nations championships. And most recently, he led the Lions to their first series win since 2013.
Warm, thoughtful and passionate, Andy Farrell is not just a brilliant rugby man: he is a fascinating human being. His autobiography brings us back to his childhood in Wigan, when he made a meteoric ascent to the highest levels of rugby league. He writes about his ambitious attempt to remake himself as a rugby union player in his thirties. He writes about the importance of family in his life and he traces the journey that has led to him become one of rugby's most successful coaches, explaining what he has learned about leadership along the way.
'A likeable book about a likeable man. You'll enjoy it.' Irish Independent
Shortlisted for Sports Book of The Year, Irish Book Awards 2025
---
'A terrific book' Brendan O'Connor, RTE Radio 1
'An absorbing insight into the mind of a leader' Irish Times
---
At the age of 16, a boy amongst men, Andy Farrell made his first-team debut for Wigan Warriors - and became a father for the first time. At 18, he won his first senior international cap. At 21, he won his first Man of Steel Award for the Super League player of the year. He went on to win the Golden Boot award for world player of the year.
All of that on its own would have been enough to make him a sporting legend - and none of it even hinted at the fascinating second chapter of his sporting life, as a rugby union player with Saracens and England, or the third chapter, as a highly successful and beloved union coach. Under his leadership, Ireland have played a brilliant brand of rugby combining precision and freedom, and have won two of the past three Six Nations championships. And most recently, he led the Lions to their first series win since 2013.
Warm, thoughtful and passionate, Andy Farrell is not just a brilliant rugby man: he is a fascinating human being. His autobiography brings us back to his childhood in Wigan, when he made a meteoric ascent to the highest levels of rugby league. He writes about his ambitious attempt to remake himself as a rugby union player in his thirties. He writes about the importance of family in his life and he traces the journey that has led to him become one of rugby's most successful coaches, explaining what he has learned about leadership along the way.
'A likeable book about a likeable man. You'll enjoy it.' Irish Independent
Reviews / Votes
A terrific book -- Brendan O'Connor * RTE Radio 1 * A likeable book about a likeable man. You'll enjoy it. * Irish Independent * An absorbing insight into the mind of a leader * Irish Times *More details
Language
English
Place of publication
London
United Kingdom
Target group
College/higher education
Professional and scholarly
Product notice
Paperback (UK-B)
Dimensions
Height: 198 mm
Width: 129 mm
Thickness: 35 mm
Weight
500 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-4059-6589-7 (9781405965897)
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

E-Book
10/2025
Penguin Books Ltd
€14.99
Available for download
Person
ANDY FARRELL was born in Wigan. Playing for his hometown club and for Great Britain, he became one of the most decorated rugby league players of all time (including two Man of Steel awards and the international Golden Boot) before switching to rugby union. As a coach he has led Ireland to a number one world ranking and to two Six Nations championships, and he led the British and Irish Lions to victory on their 2025 tour of Australia.