The festive season is upon us so we took to the Irish Rugby Tours water cooler to chat about books for the Christmas Stockings! It was a colourful debate as we tried to agree our top recommendations to suit both rugby and non rugby enthusiasts. After much analysis we reached a consensus on our Top 5 picks. Available on audio, paperback as well as the trusty kindle. We hope you enjoy.
Obsessed, Johnny Sexton
The Sexton era – marked by four European Cups, four Six Nations championships (including two Grand Slams), unprecedented victories in the Southern Hemisphere, two stints for Ireland at number 1 in the world, and the World Player of the Year award. A career spanning the transition of Leinster and Ireland going from underachievers to overachievers. That is to put Johnny Sexton’s career in one almighty nutshell!
Obsessed is a compelling read for rugby fans and those interested in sports memoirs. True to form, it is searingly honest. Johnny Sexton delves into his personal set-backs, mental health struggles and his experience around injuries during his playing years.
His love of the game is palpable throughout and he reflects often on the importance of teamwork, leadership and perseverance in professional sports. This a hugely insightful read on one of rugby’s greatest icons.
Straight Up, Ruby Tui
Ruby Tui is often described as the heartbeat of the mighty New Zealand women’s rugby sevens team. They have won a World Cup, Commonwealth Games, several World Series titles as well as silver and gold Olympic medals. Ruby was also part of the Black Ferns squad who won the Rugby World Cup 2021. What a CV.
This is an open, raw and honest account of Rubi Tui’s journey from a troubled and unstable childhood to the dizzy heights of becoming one of the most successful women’s rugby players in the world. She shares throughout this book the determination that it required not to let her unimaginable upbringing limit her.
The explosion of women’s rugby on the global stage has matched the rise of Ruby’s stellar career, as she has grown with the game from amateur to professional.
In Straight Up Ruby looks herself in the eye, understanding that she can turn pain into purpose.
The Final Whistle, Nigel Owens
Nigel Owens, a renowned rugby referee, offers an introspective look into his life, from a small village in Wales to becoming one of the most respected figures in the World of Rugby.
One of the most compelling aspects of the book is Owens’ candidness about his personal struggles. He opens up about his battle with depression and the challenges he faced coming to terms with his sexuality. His honesty and vulnerability make this not just a sports memoir, but a human story that resonates on many levels.
True to his reputation, Owens’ writing is filled with humour and wit. His knack for storytelling shines through as he recounts various episodes from his career, balancing serious reflections with light-hearted tales. This makes The Final Whistle an engaging read for both rugby enthusiasts and sports fans alike.
The Complete Biography, Ilona Maher
Ilona Maher, the Olympic Bronze Medallist is being credited with having huge impact on the profile of the women’s game globally – both rugby union and rugby sevens. She has a staggering 4.5 million instagram followers and 3.2 million TikTok followers.
This book is about Ilona Maher’s journey from a small-town athlete to an international rugby star and is a testament to her hard work, perseverance, and passion for the sport.
Off the pitch, Ilona has become a hugely influential figure for women in sport, sharing insights to her routine, lifestyle and promoting body positive messages. She is also an advocate for mental health awareness.
This book offers fantastic insights to an extraordinary female athlete and trailblazer.
Rise, Siya Kolisi
Siya Kolisi’s legacy will be as one of rugby’s greatest leaders and a role model for millions. A remarkable journey for a boy who grew up in extreme poverty in an Eastern Cape township.
Throughout the book, Kolisi speaks candidly about his faith. His love of South Africa in all it’s broken beauty is as much a theme of the book as it is of the man himself. His passion for fighting against gender-based violence is as powerful as his tackling. He is committed to using his platform to do positive work in South Africa which is weaved through this fantastic autobiography.
Siya transcends the game of rugby, he’s a symbol of hope for so many.
