A Complete History of the Rugby World Cup touches on the history of rugby union, and its evolution to professionalism, while also recounting the heated boardroom politics that played out before the pinnacle event was first established. This third edition captures all the drama and excitement across the eight tournaments played from 1987 to 2015, and is a must read for newly initiated fans and devotees of the game they play in heaven . Every four years rugby union teams go head-to head for global supremacy to claim The Webb Ellis Cup, the winners trophy affectionately known as Bill .From an amateur festival of rugby in 1987 to the record-breaking tournament hosted by England in 2015, the Rugby World Cup is now the third largest sporting event in the world and a lifeblood for the growth of the game internationally. .

The Rugby World Cup is a modern-day phenomenon, and now the third largest international sports event in the world - only eclipsed by the Olympic Games and the Football World Cup. In Pursuit of Bill describes the history of the game, from its beginnings at Rugby School in England to the founding of the modern game, and breaks down each tournament in which countries vie for global dominance to possess The Webb Ellis Cup - affectionately known as 'Bill' - and named after William Webb Ellis, a pupil at Rugby School. This up-to-the-minute second edition will include play-by-plays from the 2011 Rugby World Cup, as well as insights from administrators who shaped the game, anecdotes from legendary players and comprehensive statistics of every tournament played. Drawn from hundreds of interviews with key figures in the game, it is a book for newly initiated rugby fans and devotees of 'the game they play in heaven'. 2011 World Cup results also included.

A visual history of rugby's greatest sporting event, this beautiful photographic book is a fascinating chronological exploration of the matches, teams, heroes and surrounding stories of the tournament. Each chapter covers a Rugby World Cup, starting with the inaugural competition in 1987 - in which New Zealand confirmed their status as the world's top rugby nation - to the historical 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa after the end of apartheid and the international sports boycott through England's fantastic win in 2003 breaking the southern hemisphere's dominance, up to the 2015 qualifiers. The book also looks ahead to Rugby World Cup 2019, with Japan as host city. Each photograph has been carefully selected to give a real glimpse into this great tournament. The ideal, collectable gift for any rugby fan, written by a rugby expert.

World in Union is the story of the Rugby World Cup told via its fifteen most important and dramatic matches. From the inauspicious beginnings of the 1987 tournament, which nearly didn't happen due to back-room politics, and the amateur era's aversion to commercialism, the Rugby World Cup has grown into the third largest sporting event in the world, behind only the FIFA World Cup and the Olympics. World in Union looks at the greatest games and the biggest controversies played out on the Rugby World Cup stage with each chapter focusing on a different game. Western Samoa breaking Welsh hearts, the emergence of Jonah Lomu, Nelson Mandela and Francois Pienaar uniting the Rainbow Nation, Wilkinson's drop for World Cup glory, France's habit of spoiling the All Blacks' party, Sam Warburton's controversial sending off and Japan's greatest moment—all this and more is covered in this enjoyable narrative for all rugby fans.

"A thoroughly researched and comprehensive guide to the 2019 Rugby World Cup, to be held in Japan in September. The sporting highlight of the year, with teams from England, Scotland, Wales and Ireland all competing for the coveted William Webb Ellis trophy. The book will provide the reader with all the information and insight needed to understand and enjoy the competition. All 20 national teams involved are analysed and assessed on their chances of success, the star players are featured and each coach's basic strategies outlined and explained. With this book, the reader will have a handy, competent source of information on hand both before the start and especially whilst the tournament proceeds to its thrilling conclusion." --

'The Complete Guide To Rugby World Cup' is an essential companion for the pinnacle tournament of world rugby, and is a collection of detailed information across the 32 year history of Rugby World Cup.