Introduction
While writing my novels, I was also playing rugby.
I started off in Scotland, and then joined the nearest club wherever I ended up living. This means that I’ve played in Paris and in Geneva, in Tokyo and also at several clubs in England, most recently with the legends of Midsomer Norton in central Somerset.
This book is basically my gesture of gratitude and enduring love to the sport of rugby union, the greatest outdoor team game on earth.
Reviews
The book rugby has been waiting for … a likeable, literate and landmark tour-de-force.
Frank Keating
‘Richard Beard’s journey to the heart of rugby captures the soul of the game. Hugely enjoyable.’
John Inverdale
‘A rich and pointed and yet loving trawl through the heroic undercard of rugby.’
Stephen Jones
‘An elegiac, fascinating and insightful book.’
Guardian
‘Nobody who enjoys both rugby and reading can fail to like this book.’
Scotland on Sunday
‘One of the year’s funniest books.’
The Independent
‘His is an enviable journey of camaraderie and sporting dreams that will resonate with all team players.’
The Economist
‘Muddied Oafs, The Last Days of Rugger, will evoke a surging response from anyone over the age of 25 . . . this is rugger in the blood, that blind love that sometimes knows no reason save that it is there and there is nothing to do about it.’
The Times
