The Men in the Arena

England, Australia and the Battle for the 2003 Rugby World Cup

Shortlisted for the Sports Book Awards Rugby Book of the Year.

In The Men in the Arena, Peter Burns and Tom English delve to the very heart of England and Australia's journey to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, telling the story in the words of the protagonists at the centre of the battle. This is the inside story like it has never been told before.

From 1997 to 2003 England and Australia battled for domination of the rugby world in one of the greatest rivalries the sport has ever known. In The Men in the Arena, William Hill shortlisted authors Peter Burns and Tom English explore every aspect of the teams’ journey to the 2003 Rugby World Cup final, telling the story primarily in the words of the protagonists at the centre of the battle.

Featuring exclusive new interviews with players and coaches from both teams plus an array of superstars who faced them from New Zealand, Ireland, France, Wales and beyond, this is the inside story like it has never been told before.

'A splendid re-telling of English rugby's most celebrated story. Cracking stuff from start to finish' - Robert Kiston, The Guardian

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