Around the World in 80 Minutes

A celebration of rugby’s ‘golden age’ written by one of its leading authorities – with contributions from some of the sport’s greatest names.

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A WATERSTONES BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR 2023 - SPORT

'A mesmerising, unforgettable journey around world rugby' – DONALD McRAE, Twice winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year

‘Magnificent… hugely intelligent and entertaining’ – STUART BARNES, Sunday Times

‘Really enjoyed it’ – WILL CARLING

‘An absolutely marvellous book… Recommended heartily’ – JONATHAN DRENNAN, Sydney Morning Herald

CONTRASTING CHARACTERS, COLLIDING CULTURES, THE SAME OVAL-SHAPED BALL. A JOURNEY TO FIND THE RUGBY’S MOST REMARKABLE PEOPLE, TEAMS AND PLACES.

What makes rugby special? Which individuals and teams have defined the modern game? Around the World in 80 Minutes charts the ‘golden era’ of global rugby union between 1973 and 2023 and goes in search of the sport’s most influential trailblazers.

Robert Kitson, the Guardian’s long-time rugby union correspondent, assesses the game’s current health, tracks down the battered gladiators of yesteryear and asks some pertinent questions. Does rugby retain its old rugged charm? What does its future look like? And what, ultimately, constitutes rugby ‘greatness’?

Observant, amusing and thought-provoking, the journey takes in some of the game's more prominent names – including David Campese, Brian O’Driscoll, Maggie Alphonsi, Sean Fitzpatrick, Eddie Jones and Sir Clive Woodward – to reflect on rugby’s intangible shared joy.

Millions of fans continue to find rugby maddeningly irresistible and endlessly compelling. This book is for them, and for anyone else wondering where the appeal lies.