Rugby Union

No game generates more passion, or stirs the emotions, like Rugby Union. No game enjoys itself more when the final whistle blows. And none has produced quite such a line of good talkers, on or off the subject. Here, from the BBC's unique Sound Archives, are memories of great teams, matches and tries, the wit and wisdom of some of the legendary characters to have graced the game and a few of its celebrated followers.

Alun Wyn Jones is the most capped rugby player of all time. Seen by many as one of the greatest ever Welsh players, he has won three Grand Slams for Wales and was named the best player of the 2019 Six Nations Championship. Brilliant, honest and combative, his autobiography, written with Tom Fordyce, is the story of one of the most compelling and singular figures in rugby. Told with unflinching honesty, this is the ultimate book for all fans of the sport.

There have been many comments made and books written about Siya Kolisi, captain of the Springboks, and the first Black man to lead his country in more than 128 years of South African rugby. But now, for the very first time, Siya Kolisi shares his story in an extraordinarily intimate memoir, charting his journey from being born into the impoverished Zwide township, to leading his proud nation to an astonishing victory at the Rugby World Cup in 2019.

Since its inception in 1987 the rugby union World Cup has gone from being a cheerful, amateurish kickabout to one of the world's premier sporting events, third only to the football World Cup and the Olympics in terms of global reach. Along the way it has mirrored the sport's occasionally painful march into the professional era, with commensurate advances in the standard of play but also, some would argue, a loss of innocence as the marketing men have moved in on an increasingly lucrative property. But the competition is still - mostly - about the game itself.

Sam Warburton OBE was not only a titan of Welsh rugby but an icon of the game. Having represented his country as a player and team captain at all junior levels, he propelled himself to international attention in 2011 when named as the youngest ever captain of Wales for the Rugby World Cup. Despite his tender age, Sam's immense displays for club and country were recognised still further in April 2013, when, at just 24, he was named the Lions' captain for the extraordinary 2013 tour to Australia.

Few sports have had a more eventful last 50 years than rugby union. Even fewer involve such a range of different cultures, contrasting characters or diverse geographical settings. With the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France and the 200th anniversary of the game’s ‘birth’ on the horizon, Around the World in 80 Minutes sets out to find the game’s most inspiring people and places. Observant, amusing and thought-provoking, the book takes listeners on a global journey to meet key figures from rugby’s ‘golden age’ between 1973 and 2023.

It's rare for a referee in any sport to be popular, yet Nigel Owens has always courted strong affection throughout the world - loved by the players, coaches, officials, TV commentators and even fans. A real character, some of his famous put-downs whilst lecturing players, such as 'This is Not Soccer', have become huge social media hits. The best rugby referee of his generation, Nigel also has an incredible back story to tell.

The purpose of this book is to provide the player, family, coach and player’s support network with the information needed for positional excellence in the position of Tight-head Prop (No. 3) in rugby union. The objectives of this audiobook are to provide the listener with an understanding of the natural physical and mental development of young players, an appreciation of the statistics of modern rugby union and use that information to guide the player’s development, a blueprint for the elite conditioning needed to help young players achieve results; and much more.

The purpose of this book is to provide the player, family, coach, and player’s support network with the information needed for positional excellence in the position of hooker (no. 2) in rugby union.

The purpose of this book is to provide the player, family, coach, and player’s support network with the information needed for positional excellence in the position of blindside winger (number 11) in rugby union.

The purpose of this audiobook is to provide the player, family, coach, and player’s support network with the information needed for positional excellence in the position of Loose-head Prop (No. 1) in rugby union.

The purpose of this book is to provide the player, family, coach, and player’s support network with the information needed for positional excellence in the position of tight-lock (number five) in rugby union.

Specialist training in the position of blindside flanker in the sport of rugby union from Develop a Player. 

The purpose of this book is to provide the player, family, coach, and player’s support network with the information needed for positional excellence in the position of inside center (number 12) in Rugby Union.

The purpose of this book is to provide the player, family, coach and player’s support network with the information needed for positional excellence in the position of Number 8 (No. 8) in rugby union.

The purpose of this book is to provide the player, family, coach and player’s support network with the information needed for positional excellence in the position of Openside Flanker (No. 7) in rugby union.