With the start of the Rugby World Cup just around the corner, a De Montfort University academic’s latest book on the history of the sport has been gathering rave reviews.
The Oval World by Professor Tony Collins, of the International Centre for Sports History and Culture, is the first global history of the sport.
It looks at the impact of rugby around the world over the past 200 years, from its origins in village games right through to its place on the international stage.
Featured in the book are some of the key players from international rugby which include many Leicester Tigers legends.
Mihir Bose, writing in the Independent, said: “Tony Collins narrates this history with magisterial skill, weaving in details of matches with the wider historical and social picture.”
Patrick Kidd, in The Times, praises the tales which Professor Collins unearthed during his months of research in the archives - including early horror actor Boris Karloff’s role as the founding father of the Hollywood rugby club, or that Bram Stoker (of Dracula fame) was a fine forward for Trinity College, Dublin.
His previous book, A Social History of Rugby Union, was selected as a book of the year by the New Statesman, the Guardian and the Independent on Sunday.
Prof Collins has also helped Leicester City Council put together an exhibition on Leicester’s links with the Rugby World Cup at Newarke Houses Museum, which opens on 18 September.
The exhibition explores the history of rugby in the city through the stories of residents and with the help of more than 30 artefacts and some fascinating memorabilia.
Prof Collins reckons that the sporting spectacle will bring new converts to the game: “I think we’re going to see real excitement and interest in the game – it will be a huge event in Britain and I think England, Wales and Ireland will all be keen to prove themselves at the highest level.”
* The Oval World is out now, published by Bloomsbury.
Posted on Friday 11 September 2015