The best rugby books and autobiographies to read now

That strange shuffle he used to perform before (invariably) slotting over yet another set of points for his team was Dan Biggar’s calling card. The ‘Biggarena’ though was only one aspect to a fly-half who never failed to rise to the big occasion. He belted over winning points in World Cup quarter finals, and guided the Lions to their only victory over South Africa in the 2021 tour. Never one to shy away from the action on the field, Biggar’s rugby was brash and tenacious, but to those whose colours he was wearing he always became a hero. This book gives us an intimate view into his relationships with rugby luminaries from Warren Gatland to that fabulous Welsh team, as well as illuminating the drive for perfection which created the relentless competitor who scored 631 points across his 112 Welsh caps.

From making his debut for Leicester Tigers at 17 to becoming England’s most capped player, Ben Youngs has been around the proverbial rugby block. Born into a rugby family – both his father Nick and older brother Tom also played for Tigers and England – the pressure to make it in rugby was present from a young age. While he certainly proved himself on the pitch, it is the story of his life outside of rugby which forms the heart of what makes this an inspirational read. Overcoming these struggles, such as losing two family members to terminal illnesses within a year and withdrawing from the Lions tour in 2017, is a tale of stoic resolve, vulnerability and camaraderie. All told with wry wit and an eye for a tale, this is without doubt one of the finest rugby books from one of the finest to ever do it.

Wales is an ancient land, with many great sights within its borders. From the mist-blanketed black mountains, to the soaring roofless vaults of Tintern Abbey and red-pink edifice of Caernarfon Castle. Beyond all this, however, few sights stir feeling in this land of song quite like Alun Wyn Jones, teary-eyed and ears festooned with tape, belting out Land of My Fathers at the Millennium Stadium. Belonging is the story of how the Welsh icon left Mumbles and returned as the most capped rugby player of all time. The theme of perthyn (belonging and community) runs through the heart of this book, which elucidates the journey of a player deserving of having his face carved into the cliffs by Mumbles bay.

Eddie Jones is a totemic presence in rugby. He’s taciturn and abrasive, yet quick to flash a grin after skewering a reporter’s ill-conceived question. A tactical innovator, yet steadfast in his philosophy. There is a strangely cyclical nature to his career in rugby too, from coaching Australia in their world cup final loss to England in 2003, to taking England themselves to within an inch of their second title sixteen years later. Similarly, growing up half-Japanese in a tough neighbourhood of Sydney formed the tenacity and resolve which gave Japan their greatest ever rugby moment when, in 2015 and under his tutelage, they beat the Springboks at the death in the greatest upset in rugby world cup history. This fascinating book brings you, with characteristic unflinching honesty, into the mind of one of the game’s greatest disruptors, charting that formative upbringing through to his development into one of the foremost thinkers in the game. A genuinely brilliant rugby book.

Rassie is not a man who pulls his punches, nor one who goes down easily. Famously forthright, he masterminded South Africa's Springboks to two consecutive World Cups, the latter with head coach Jacques Nienaber. Alongside the silverware, Rassie’s role in appointing the first black Springboks captain, Siya Kolisi – who has gone on to become one of the sport’s most-loved figures – cannot be overstated. This candid account delves into his pivotal roles in iconic Springbok teams, grappling with injuries, and pioneering coaching methods. Rassie is a window into the motivations and philosophies of one of rugby’s true disruptors.

Barrie McDermott was never a man to do things by halves, a trait that earned him a reputation as one of the most feared and respected props in rugby league history. Losing an eye in a childhood accident might have deterred others, but for McDermott, it was merely the prologue to a career defined by raw aggression and an unbreakable spirit. From his formative years at Oldham to becoming a cornerstone of an all-conquering Leeds Rhinos side, his journey is a masterclass in overcoming adversity through sheer force of will. Made for Rugby is as uncompromising as the man himself, offering a candid look at the battles fought both on the pitch and within, while celebrating the deep-rooted camaraderie of the thirteen-a-side game. It’s a gritty, honest account of a true cult hero who proved that what doesn't break you truly does make you.

Standing at just 5ft 5in, Rob Burrow was the pocket rocket who spent sixteen years defying those who said he was too small for the brutal world of rugby league. A Leeds Rhinos legend with eight Super League titles to his name, Burrow’s narrative shifted from the pitch to a very different arena following his 2019 diagnosis of Motor Neurone Disease. Too Many Reasons to Live is a profoundly moving account of that battle, trading tactical analysis for a raw exploration of love, family, and his extraordinary bond with teammate (and future co-author) Kevin Sinfield. It is a Sunday Times number one bestseller that proves that character is never measured in feet and inches, but in the boundless courage shown when it's really needed.

For ages 8+

Long before she was ‘Fury’ on BBC’s Gladiators, Jodie Ounsley was a born fighter who refused to let being profoundly deaf narrow her horizons. Always breaking the mould, she went from a five-time World Junior Coal Carrying champion to the history books as the first deaf female rugby player to represent England, and now as a Gladiators favourite. Co-written with Becky Grey, this is a high-energy manifesto on confidence and resilience, designed to show young readers how to transform their own differences into superpowers. Full of tips and advice, it is a raw, heart-on-sleeve guide from a sportswoman who didn't just break the mould: she smashed it!

For ages 2+

Try is a heart-warming celebration of friendship written by Rob Burrow with his brother-in-arms (and current coach for the England rugby union side) Kevin Sinfield. The story is centred around the vital importance of kindness and looking out for your friends. Beautifully illustrated, it is a gentle yet powerful reminder that the greatest victory in life isn't found on a muddy field, but in being a true friend when it matters most. Although admittedly, sometimes a muddy field can be the beginning of that friendship. . .

It wouldn’t be fair to discuss rugby and not mention the internet's favourite, tortured, green-eyed player, Alex Corbeau-Green. A tense slice of dark academia, Autumn Woods’ Nightshade offers a story like no other, filled with mystery and romance. Ophelia Winters meets our wealthy rugby boy outside the gates of Sorrowsong University, a training ground for the elite of society, and the pair get off to a worrying start given that Alex’s father had a hand to play in the death of Ophelia’s parents, a secret known to her but not to him. As Ophelia tries to unravel the mystery that intertwines them both, she may just become the cause of their doom. This book is full of banter, tension, and, of course, Alex Corbeau-Green is not just playing rugby, but playing for Ophelia’s affections.