No Borders

by English, Tom

• ISBN13: 9781909715462
• ISBN10: 1909715468
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2017-08-01
• Publisher: Birlinn

Summary

From Jack Kyle’s immortals to Brian O’Driscoll’s golden generation, this is the story of Irish rugby told in the players’ words. Celebrated rugby writer Tom English embarks on a pilgrimage through the four provinces to reveal the fascinating and illuminating story of playing Test rugby in the green of Ireland – all the glory of victory, all the pain of defeat, and all the camaraderie behind the scenes. But more than a nostalgic look back through the years, this is a searing portrait of the effects of politics and religion on Irish sport, a story of great schisms and volatile divisions, but also a story of the profound unity, passionate friendships and bonds of a brotherhood. With exclusive new material garnered from 115 interviews with players and coaches from across the decades, No Borders unveils the compelling truth of what it means to play for Ireland at Lansdowne Road, Croke Park, the Aviva Stadium and around the world. This is the ultimate history of Irish rugby – told, definitively, by the men who have been there and done it.

Author Biography

Tom English is an award-winning BBC sport writer and broadcaster. A former chief sport writer for the Scotland on Sunday he was voted Scottish Sport’s Feature Writer of the Year by the Scottish Press Association for three years running. He has held posts with The Sunday Times, Sunday Express and the Scotsman. He won Rugby Book of the Year at the 2010 British Sports Book Awards for his account of the 1990 Grand Slam showdown, The Grudge, and is a co-author of the bestselling Behind the Lions: Playing Rugby for the British & Irish Lions.