The remarkable story of 20 young American football players, convinced to compete internationally in rugby—a game they'd never heard ofIn 1950s Los Angeles, entrepreneur Mike Dimitro convinced a group of young American athletes to fly around the world playing rugby league, a game that was entirely new to them. Miraculously, the American All Stars competed with the best Australia, New Zealand, and France had to offer, and shocked the locals with some stunning victori...

Known to fans as 'Micky O', Michael O'Loughlin is a legendary figure in AFL and one of the Sydney Swans' favourite sons. This is the candid and inspiring story of the boy who became one of AFL's greatest players.When Michael O'Loughlin was drafted by the Sydney Swans at just 17 years of age, he was the no. 40 selection and the last player picked. Back then he could not have imagined the extraordinary future that awaited him: the numerous awards and accolades, the respect and admirat...

Australian cricketers have always liked to keep in shape. It's just that a lot of the time that shape is a circle. When Shane Warne waddled out to play South Africa in the 1997 Boxing Day test, his physique wasn't exactly streamlined, but his competitive spirit was still in fine shape.'I've waited two years for another chance to humiliate you,' he growled at his 'bunny', batsman Daryl Cullinan.The bunny looked Warne up and down. 'Looks like you spent it eating'.Davi...

In his 15-year career as one of the most popular figures in Welsh rugby, Martyn Williams has played against some of the giants of the sport. Known as ‘Nugget’ to the fans, Martyn has captained his country on many occasions and was a key player in two Welsh Grand Slam-winning campaigns.In Rugby Rivals he picks his personal top ten players from all the world rugby stars he’s ever played against. From Martin Johnson and Shane Williams to Jonah Lomu and Richie McCaw he gives an insight...

When the Scottish Football League chairmen voted on the future of Rangers Newco in July 2012, most fans didn't really expect that they would be dumped into Division Three. Many thought that hard-headed commercial realities would mean demotion to the First Division at worst. But when the decision was announced, the club had no option but to start a new football journey in the bottom tier of Scottish football. In Rangers FC - The Only Way Is Up, Lisa Gray captures the humour, the emotion and...

This long-deserved tribute to the legendary Walter Smith sees Rangers stars past and present uniting to honour one of the most decorated and successful managers in Scottish football. Ibrox favourites from across the decades, including heroes like Brian Laudrup, Ally McCoist, Andy Goram, Jorg Albertz, and countless others, give their own unique insight into the man they affectionately call their 'Gaffer'. Light Blue legends Davie Weir, Madjid Bougherra, Nacho Novo, Pedro Mendes and Stevie N...

The world of the international rugby referee has always been a closely guarded secret … until now.As a Durban schoolboy, Jonathan Kaplan watched rugby at Kings Park every Saturday, dreaming of the day he would represent his country. Now, three decades later and at the age of 47, he reflects on the career highs and lows that saw him retire as the most capped international, Super Rugby and Currie Cup referee of all time.But records and milestones are just a part of an intrigu...

Brush up on your cricket knowledge of the Ashes with a hilarious and alternative guide to cricket's most fiercely contested series. In this laugh-out-loud follow up to the Sunday Times bestseller Tuffers' Cricket Tales, ex-England cricketer, TV personality and Test Match Special commentator Phil Tufnell offers his unique take on the whole Ashes experience.Drawing on incidents from his own colourful career and the reminiscences of...

When Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal both shockingly exited Wimbledon in the early rounds of the 2013 championships, the level of expectation on Scotsman Andy Murray to become the first British champion of the men's competition since 1936—already high—reached fever pitch. Overcoming a two-set deficit in the quarterfinals, Murray would go on to face world number one Novak Djokovic in the final and, after three hours filled with drama, tension, and brilliant tennis, become Wimbledon champion ...

Extraordinary stories from both on and off the court...John Newcombe has always been more than a tennis legend. He is an Australian icon. As a player, he was the world number one, a multiple Wimbledon, US and Australian Champion, a fighter who would push himself to the limit and beyond to win. Yet he never (or almost never) lost his sense of humour or fun. When Newk was on court, even in to-the-death battles with John McEnroe, Bjorn Borg and Jimmy Connors, you coul...

On January 6, 1975, Nottingham Forest were thirteenth in the old Second Division, five points above the relegation places and straying dangerously close to establishing a permanent place for themselves among football's nowhere men.Within five years Brian Clough had turned an unfashionable and depressed club into the kings of Europe, beating everyone in their way and knocking Liverpool off their perch long before Sir Alex Ferguson and Manchester United had the same idea.This...

Everything You Ever Wanted to Know About Rugby But Were too Afraid to Ask explains the often-baffling laws of modern sport in a light-hearted and easy-to-understand way to the new fan/spectator or the 'sport widow'.This is a witty, off-the-wall guide to the rules of the modern game, as if written by a very patient but understanding friend. Writer Iain Macintosh explains how rugby works and why is it so popular, and reveals the history of the sport. He guides the novice thr...