The 2023 Rugby World Cup in France is well under way and we round up our Top 5 books to read during the competition; featuring a nostalgic read on the 2003 tournament, a photographic book of some of the world’s most magnificent rugby grounds, a journey across the world of rugby exploring the stories of what makes the sport so great, a representation of France’s link to the game of Rugby, and the official guide to the biggest event in world rugby.
The Men in the Arena: England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup by Peter Burns and Tom English
The 2003 Rugby World Cup held in Australia is fondly remembered, particularly by England fans – with the English becoming the first (and thus far only) Northern Hemisphere team to win the Webb Ellis Cup, doing so in dramatic style thanks to Jonny Wilkinson’s famous drop-goal in extra time. On the 20th anniversary of England’s triumph over hosts and rivals Australia, Peter Burns and Tom English explore both team’s journey on their way to Final in The Men in the Arena: England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
Remarkable Rugby Grounds: An illustrated guide book, with photography of the world’s most splendid sports stadiums by Ryan Herman
There have been several sports featured in the ‘Remarkable’ series by Pavilion Books, including Cricket, Football and Golf. Ahead of the World Cup, the publisher released Remarkable Rugby Grounds: An illustrated guide book, with photography of the world’s most splendid sports stadiums. This marvellous illustrated book by Ryan Herman features rugby grounds from across the world, including several from the 2023 tournament host nation in Bordeaux, Paris and Clermont Ferrand.
Rugby World Cup France 2023: The Official Book by Simon Collings
The officially licenced guide to the Rugby World Cup 2023 offers team and player guides to stats, facts and a tournament progress chart. Rugby World Cup France 2023: The Official Book by Simon Collins is a great companion to following all the action in France.
Le Coq: A Journey to the Heart of French Rugby by Peter Bills
Peter Bills is a former Editor of Rugby World magazine and was Chief rugby writer worldwide for the Independent newspaper group and has spent a fair amount of time in France following the sport of Rugby. In the travelogue, Le Coq: A Journey to the Heart of French Rugby, Bills takes us on a tour of the 2023 Rugby World Cup host nation, detailing its history and love affair with the sport, offering interviews with international players who have played club rugby in France and dipping into nation’s culture.
Around the World in 80 Minutes: In Search of Rugby Greatness by Robert Kitson
In Around the World in 80 Minutes: In Search of Rugby Greatness, Robert Kitson looks to answer the question of what makes rugby special? Writer of the Telegraph Sports Book Awards Rugby Book of the Year 2021, Exe Men: The Extraordinary Rise of the Exeter Chiefs, Kitson identifies the individuals and teams that have defined global rugby union’s ‘golden era’ between 1973 and 2023 in his latest book.
Last Updated on October 7, 2023 by Sports Tourist
