Around the World in 80 Minutes: In Search of Rugby Greatness

'A mesmerising, unforgettable journey around world rugby. ' - Donald McRae - Twice Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the Year

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

What makes rugby special? Which individuals and teams have defined the modern game? Ahead of the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France, 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.

Observant, amusing and thought-provoking, the book also 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'?

Having reported on the sport worldwide across five decades, few are better placed to highlight rugby's most significant people and moments than Robert Kitson, the Guardian's long-time rugby union correspondent and author of Exe Men, winner of the 2021 Telegraph Rugby Book of the Year award.

Packed with revealing insights and personal testimonies from a range of prominent figures, including Sir Gareth Edwards, Will Carling, David Campese, Jonathan Davies, Jason Robinson, Sir Clive Woodward, Lawrence Dallaglio, Sean Fitzpatrick, Brian O'Driscoll, Maggie Alphonsi, Ronan O'Gara and Eddie Jones, Around The World In 80 Minutes is essential reading for rugby lovers of all ages.