The festive season is upon us again so we took to the Irish Rugby Tours sofas 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 of what you might like. Available on audio, paperback, e-book as well as the trusty kindle. We hope you enjoy what we have selected.
The Extra Mile, Kevin Sinfield
The Extra Mile isn’t your typical rugby‑memoir, it’s a deeply moving, inspirational story about sport, friendship and fighting for something bigger than yourself. The book charts Kevin Sinfield’s journey from a humble upbringing to becoming one of rugby league’s most decorated players captain of Leeds Rhinos and his transition into coaching in rugby union.
What makes the book stand out is its second arc — the incredible fundraising campaign Sinfield launched for his former teammate Rob Burrow, after Burrow was diagnosed with motor neurone disease (MND). Sinfield undertook grueling physical challenges — ultra‑marathons, 101‑mile runs and more to raise both awareness and millions in funds for MND research and support.
But The Extra Mile isn’t only about hardship or heroism. Through his characteristic warmth, modesty, humour and leadership, Sinfield reflects on the power of friendship, community, resilience and hope. It’s a story about pushing limits not only on the field, but in life and about what we’re willing to do for the people we care about.
It asks a tough question: Who would you go for that extra mile?
Loose Head, Joe Marler
Loose Head is Joe Marler’s no‑holds‑barred autobiography, the former England Rugby international gives a raw, funny and often shocking behind‑the‑scenes look at life as a top‑level rugby prop. Marler pulls back the curtain on everything from the brutal physicality and injuries of elite rugby, to the locker‑room rituals, mental‑health battles, wild tour antics and what it’s really like to survive and thrive in a world of scrums, sweat and psychological games.
The book juxtaposes the “front‑up tough guy” persona required on the field with the struggles of his off‑pitch life — mental health, identity pressures, physical toll, and personal sacrifice — giving a compelling portrait of what rugby takes, both physically and mentally.
Marler’s humour, honesty, and eccentric personality shine throughout: from bizarre initiation rituals, crazy pub nights, and outrageous haircuts, to serious reflections on pain, resilience and the price of being a professional athlete.
If you like sports memoirs that don’t shy away from the grit, grime and glory, full of laughs, scars, pain, pride and humanity, “Loose Head” is a standout.
The Test, Brian O’Driscoll
The Test is the autobiography of Brian O’Driscoll, one of rugby’s most iconic players. Spanning his life from his early days in Dublin to his retirement in 2014, it charts the story of a player who defined an era of Irish rugby.
It covers the highs of Grand Slams, Lions tours, and Champions Cup glory, as well as the lows — including crushing injuries, defeats, and the emotional toll of fame and pressure. Brian is open about personal struggles, what drove him to succeed, and how he managed to stay at the top in a physically brutal sport for over 15 years.
More than just a sporting memoir, the book shares insights into life off the pitch — relationships, family, fame, loss, and resilience. It’s a compelling and very human story of leadership, sacrifice, and the cost of greatness.
For any rugby fan, it’s a powerful look behind the curtain of elite sport. For young players and coaches, it’s packed with honesty, lessons and inspiration.
Open Side, Sam Warburton
“Open Side” tells the story of Sam Warburton’s rise from a promising young player to one of rugby union’s most respected flanker‑captains. The book traces his early passion for the sport, through his development at club and national youth levels, then onto his senior career with the Wales national rugby union team and the British & Irish Lions.
Warburton opens up about the pressures, physical, mental and emotional that come with professional rugby. He reflects honestly on recurring injuries, 21 significant setbacks over his career, the demands of leadership and the tough decisions faced when performance and health collide.
Rather than emphasise stats or glory, “Open Side” explores the mindset behind greatness: leadership, self‑control, resilience, and the sacrifices made behind the scenes. He offers a rare, candid look into the dressing‑room world, the camaraderie and the toll professional sport can take — making it more than a sports memoir, but a human story.
The book ends with a thoughtful reflection on retirement at 29, a sobering but inspiring moment that underlines the fragility and reward of a career in elite sport.
Beware Of The Dog, Brian Moore
“Beware of the Dog” offers a brutally honest, no‑holds‑barred portrayal of Brian Moore’s life both on and off the rugby pitch. Known as “Pitbull” for his fearless, aggressive style as a hooker for England and the British Lions, Moore doesn’t shy away from sharing the full complexity beneath that tough exterior.
He speaks candidly about his upbringing including being adopted as a baby and recounts personal traumas, including childhood abuse, which he explains shaped much of his rage and aggression on the field.
The memoir blends hard‑hitting episodes of personal suffering with Moore’s reflections on identity, anger, redemption, and the internal “demons” he carried even while achieving glory. On the pitch, he remembers legendary wins, fierce matches, his 64 caps for England, Grand Slams, and Lions tours. Off the pitch, he reveals a surprising depth a qualified solicitor with a taste for finer things wine, Shakespeare, culture, who later faced mental‑health struggles and navigated life beyond rugby.
“Beware of the Dog” is more than a sports memoir. It’s a deeply human, sometimes harrowing, but ultimately powerful story of trauma, survival, identity, and transformation.
