A Game for Hooligans

The History of Rugby Union

Huw Richards

$35

Paperback

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English

Mainstream Publishing
01 February 2008

Rugby Union

A comprehensive, meticulously researched history of international rugby

Rugby union has undergone immense change in the past two decades - introducing a World Cup, accepting professionalism and creating a global market in players - yet no authoritative English-language general history of the game has been published in that time. Until now.

A Game for Hooligans brings the game's colourful story up to date to include the 2007 World Cup. It covers all of the great matches, teams and players but also explores the social, political and economic changes that have affected the course of rugby's development. It is an international history, covering not only Britain and France but also the great rugby powers of the southern hemisphere and other successful rugby nations, including Argentina, Fiji and Japan.

Contained within are the answers to many intriguing questions concerning the game, such as why 1895 is the most important date in both rugby-union and rugby-league history and how New Zealand became so good and have remained so good for so long. There is also a wealth of anecdotes, including allegations of devil-worship at a Welsh rugby club and an account of the game's contribution to the Cuban Revolution.

This is a must-read for any fan of the oval ball.

By: Huw Richards
Imprint: Mainstream Publishing
Country of Publication: United Kingdom
Dimensions: Height: 199mm, Width: 31mm, Spine: 21mm
Weight: 235g
ISBN: 9781845962555
ISBN 10: 1845962559
Pages: 336
Publication Date: 01 February 2008
Recommended Age: From 0 years
Audience: General/trade , ELT Advanced
Format: Paperback
Publisher's Status: Active

Huw Richards is the rugby correspondent of the Financial Times and has reported on over 200 rugby international games, including all five World Cups. He was also co-editor of Heart and Soul, More Heart and Soul and Raising the Dragon.

Reviews for A Game for Hooligans: The History of Rugby Union

An ambitious project, triumphantly realised * Independent on Sunday * Crammed with fact and leavened with anecdote . . . an utterly reliable guide * Daily Telegraph * Huw Richards has managed to distil the very essence of rugby union history into this one volume . . . an excellent chronicle * The Independent * Magnificent * The Times * Engagingly quirky * Publishing News * Full of incident, detail and gossip * Daily Telegraph * Astounding * The Observer *