When Britain's empire went to war in August 1914, rugby players were the first to volunteer, leading from the front and paying a disproportionate price. After four long years, their war game was over, and it was time to play rugby again.
In 1919, a grateful Mother Country hosted a rugby tournament for the King's Cup at Twickenham Stadium. This is the story of rugby's journey through World War I to its first World Cup, and how those values endure today. Discover the extraordinary contributions of rugby soldiers and the origins of the Rugby World Cup in this moving account by Stephen Cooper and Jason Leonard. Perfect for readers interested in: Sports historyMilitary historyBiographies of athletes