***SHORTLISTED for the Cross Sports Book Awards Rugby Book of the Year 2016*** When Britain’s Empire went to war in August 1914, rugby players were the first to volunteer. They led from the front and paid a disproportionate price. In 1919, a grateful Mother Country hosted a rugby tournament: sevens teams at eight venues, playing 17 matches to declare a first ‘world champion’. There had never been an international team tournament like it. For the first time teams from Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Britain and France were assembled in one place. Rugby held the first ever ‘World Cup’. It was a moment of triumph, a celebration of military victory, of Commonwealth and Allied unity, and of rugby values, moral and physical. In 2015 the tournament returns to England as the world remembers the Centenary of the Great War. Values of teamwork, respect, discipline were forged and tested in war
and enjoyment of rugby helped men through it. This is the story of rugby’s journey through the First World War to its first World Cup, and how those values endure today.. AUTHOR: Stephen Cooper has played and coached rugby for over forty years. After Cambridge, he worked in advertising. His first book ‘The Final Whistle’ won ‘Rugby Book of the Year 2013’ and was shortlisted for ‘The Times Sports Book of the Year’. His grandfather survived the Battle of the Somme and inspired in him a lifelong fascination with the First World War. SELLING POINTS: . The Rugby World Cup 2015, hosted in England, will attract 2.3 million fans . Sequel to Stephen Cooper’s powerful ‘The Final Whistle’ winner of ‘Rugby Book of the Year 2013’ (sales c.10,100 copies) . Tells the story of how men from the USA, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada, France and Britain came together to strengthen the bonds made on the battlefield on the sports field
REVIEWS: ‘A fresh and fascinating take on the impact of the Great War with a novel and moving focus.’ IAN HISLOP ‘ a deeply moving book about the loss of fifteen young men, all so promising’ - MAX ARTHUR ‘People use the word hero to describe sportsmen but the guys in this book are true heroes. A fantastic and inspiring read from the first page to the last.’ JASON LEONARD 30 colour images
