England: The Official Rugby Football Union History (Revised and Updated)

It was a dream come true for every England rugby fan when the whistle blew in Sydney to signal the end of the Rugby World Cup Final in 2003. A long campaign, which began almost directly after the previous World Cup in 1999, had culminated in one of the most tightly fought contests and it provided the most dramatic of finales. But while England relish that achievement, one should not forget that there have been many memorable matches down the years since 1871 when an England rugby union team first took to the field. Some ... Read More

It was a dream come true for every England rugby fan when the whistle blew in Sydney to signal the end of the Rugby World Cup Final in 2003. A long campaign, which began almost directly after the previous World Cup in 1999, had culminated in one of the most tightly fought contests and it provided the most dramatic of finales. But while England relish that achievement, one should not forget that there have been many memorable matches down the years since 1871 when an England rugby union team first took to the field. Some have even passed into sporting folklore, such as the legendary 13-0 victory over New Zealand in 1936, which was characterised by Prince Alexander Obolensky's marvellous brace of tries, or the breathtaking roller-coaster ride of the 26-26 draw with the All Blacks in 1977. England: The Official RFU History takes readers right back to the very origins of the game, from the time that William Webb Ellis caught the ball and ran with it at Rugby School, and leads them through a history that is rich with great sporting moments and memorable characters. It follows the highs and lows of successive teams as they have suffered defeats and near misses and battled their way to successes in the Five and Six Nations tournaments. Gloriously illustrated with many exclusive archival photographs and memorabilia from the RFU's Museum at Twickenham, this fascinating book also includes an A-Z of some of the greatest players ever to have pulled on the white shirt of England as well as full statistics for evey game that England has played right up to the end of the Six Nations contest of 2004. Whether you are a fan of long standing, or one who has been attracted by the passion of recent times, England: The Official RFU History is a must-have addition to any true England rugby fan's bookshelf. Read Less