John 'The Bull' Hayes is an Irish rugby legend. Keith Wood calls him a 'rugby giant', Donncha O'Callaghan calls him 'the heart and soul of the team', but Hayes is adored as much for his down-to-earth personality and background as his legendary status on the pitch. The phenomenon that is The Bull grew up in GAA farming heartland and was a late recruit to the game, only picking up a rugby ball at the age of 18. His determination on the pitch and passion for the shirt comes through in many a tale of graft and glory in the front row. Hayes relates his story of over 100 caps for his country, including four Triple Crowns and a glorious Grand Slam in 2009. Two Heineken Cup-winning campaigns gild an incredible career of over 200 games for Munster. This is the story of a giant of a man, and a rugby legend who is of the people.
The dawn of the 21st century marked an evolution in European rugby as the Five Nations became Six. The expanded contest has certainly not disappointed. Stars such as Jonny Wilkinson, Brian O'Driscoll, Simon Taylor, Sergio Parrise, Imanol Harinordoquy and Shane Williams have created a new chapter in northern hemisphere rugby. Here's an opportunity to test the old grey matter. This book contains fifty rounds of ten questions which reflect on some fantastic or maybe unusual moments! Test your knowledge on one of the best rugby tournaments in the world.
When Wales were reduced to 14 men in the World Cup semi-final, Alun Wyn Jones was at the core of their remarkable fightback. In the words of coach Warren Gatland: 'He ran himself into the ground.' This came as no surprise to Welsh rugby fans, who have become used to such acts of honest heroism from their hard-working second-row forward, and especially so in 2011. But what those fans didn't know was that, during this very special year, he also kept a diary. Alun Wyn Jones's World Cup Year is a selection from that diary, and allows us a unique behind-the-scene glance at the grind, the glory and (occasional) glamour of life as a modern international rugby player. It is also a photographic celebration of one of the most memorable years in Welsh rugby history.
The Six Nations Tournament! What a spectacle! Stodgy breakfast and out on the booze by 10am. Back home after shut tap, so full of beer that you sound like a hot water bottle. When they're away... you get four days of it, sometimes even more! Here for the first time the stories from the 'away trips' are published - for the wives to know what it's all about, and for the lads to read the funny things they can't remember...