Around the World in 80 Minutes

A mesmerising, unforgettable journey around world rugby. With a brilliant cast of great players, Rob Kitson’s riveting new book spans contrasting eras and countries with the depth and range, wit and grit, substance and style of the great sport it captures and celebrates. – Donald McRae – Twice Winner of the William Hill Sports Book of the YearHugely enjoyable. Full of a generosity that can’t help but rekindle those warm, fuzzy feelings of shared communion, but without avoiding the hard edges of injury, racism, sexism, the future. I can’t see how anyone who loves rugby – or who wants to love rugby – could fail to enjoy this book. – Richard Beard, award-winning author of The Day That Went Missing and Muddied OafsAn adventure through the very heart and soul of rugby, guided beautifully by an author who has seen it all, from gleaming World Cup finals to the Forest of Dean. – Michael Aylwin * The Observer *A glorious, warm, perceptive, eclectic exploration of the essence of rugby and rugby folk. Finishing it, I came within a whisker of dragging those 30-year-old boots out of retirement. * Paul Ackford, former Harlequins and England forward *Around the World in 80 Minutes takes us on a fascinating journey through the highways and byways of global rugby union, celebrating its past and exploring the issues confronting it today. It’s essential reading for serious fans of the game. * Professor Tony Collins, author of The Oval World: A Global History of Rugby *Really enjoyed it – Will Carling

An absolutely marvellous book… Recommended heartily.

Robert Kitson has been the Guardian’s rugby union correspondent since 1999. He has attended every Rugby World Cup since 1991 and has covered almost 400 Test matches worldwide. He has also worked at five Olympic Games and reported on numerous other sports, including cricket, football, golf and tennis. His first book, Exe Men, won the 2021 Telegraph Rugby Book of the Year award. He is married with three children and lives in Devon.