Hard Men of Rugby

The ultimate book about the hard men of Rugby Union. Written by journalist and author Luke Upton and with a foreword by Rugby World Cup Final ref Nigel Owens, this book includes the gruesome stories of the hardest and most ruthless, yet incredibly talented, players from around the world since the First World War. In our era of citing commissioners, super slow-motion replays and trial by social media, some of their actions are almost hard to believe. These men were totally committed to the sport, and irrespective of size, reputation or opposition, never took a step back on the pitch. And largely free from the confines of the commitments the modern professional game demands, many were as lively off the pitch as they were fiery on it.

Players profiled include: Brian Lima (Samoa, career 1990–2007), Wade Dooley (England, career c.1985–1993), David ‘Darkie’ Bedell-Sivright (Scotland, career 1900–1914), Colin Meads (New Zealand, career 1955–1973), Gerard Cholley (France, career 1965–c.1980), Jerry Collins (New Zealand, career 1999–2015), Wayne ‘Buck’ Shelford (New Zealand, career 1975–1993), Trevor Brennan (Ireland, career 1991–2007), Norm Hadley (Canada, career 1984–c.1996), Paddy Mayne (Ireland, career 1931–1939), Bobby Windsor (Wales, career 1973–79), Scott Gibbs (Wales, career 1990–2004), Bakkies Botha (South Africa, career 1999–2015), Tomás Lavanini (Argentina, career 2012–present), Sébastien Chabal (France, career 2000–2014), Weary Dunlop (Australia, career 1930s).