The Random History of Rugby
Hapless Hookers & Useless Flankers
Will be published approx. on 7. September 2017
Book
Hardback
128 pages
978-1-85375-993-2 (ISBN)
Description
A lot of rucking and mauling has gone on since William Webb Ellis first picked up the ball and ran, but this doughty little book heroically manages to capture the true essence of the daddy of all oval ball games in just 80 minutes. This is the story of rugby as never been told before: a jinking, weaving compilation of surreal match reports, spoof correspondence and quirky cartoons.
From the playing fields of Edwardian England's public schools to the canopied splendour of Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the game's towering achievements, hilarious happenings and ludicrous coincidences are entertainingly recalled.
From the playing fields of Edwardian England's public schools to the canopied splendour of Cardiff's Millennium Stadium, the game's towering achievements, hilarious happenings and ludicrous coincidences are entertainingly recalled.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
United Kingdom
Publishing group
Headline Publishing Group
Product notice
Trade binding
Illustrations
75 b&w illus
Dimensions
Height: 119 mm
Width: 186 mm
Thickness: 16 mm
Weight
228 gr
ISBN-13
978-1-85375-993-2 (9781853759932)
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
Persons
Iain Spragg is a sports journalist who has written for The Daily Telegraph and The Times. A former editor of the Rugby Icons website, he has also written many books on the subjects of sport, travel and humour, including The Jonny Wilkinson Story.
Tony Husband is a much-admired cartoonist, whose work appears regularly in Private Eye for whom he created "The Yobs".
Tony Husband is a much-admired cartoonist, whose work appears regularly in Private Eye for whom he created "The Yobs".
Content
William Webb Ellis * Spreading the word * A gentleman's game * The great schism * The All Backs * The Invincibles * Four Nations become Five * Varsity glory * Barry John * Gareth Edwards' try * The Lions win in South Africa * The truth about 99 * Erica Roe * The Wallabies * Ban the Boks * The Pontypool front row * Dr JPR Williams, 'physician treat thyself' * The World Cup * England drink Paris dry of champagne so drink after-shave * The battered Calcutta Cup * Wales' new home: Wembley * Lawrence Dallaglio and the honey trap * Jonny Wilkinson * In BOD we trust (if you're Irish) * Gavin Henson leaves the Church * Dwarf-throwing.