Rugby World Cup Winner Back to Release New Book

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17 Apr

Rugby World Cup Winner Back to Release New Book

Pitch Publishing are pleased to announce the forthcoming publication of The Death of Rugby by Leicester Tigers, England and British Lions legend Neil Back. The book features a foreword by Martin Johnson, with contributions from Jonny Wilkinson, Sir Clive Woodward and Lawrence Dallaglio.

Fourteen years since his autobiography, Size Doesn’t Matter, English rugby’s most decorated flanker, Neil Back, returns with The Death of Rugby, a tale of triumphs, heartaches and broken promises. From his anti-hero role as ‘The Hand of Back’ in Leicester Tigers’ 15-9 European Cup triumph over Munster, to Grand Slam glory and the 2003 World Cup with England, Neil is never far from rugby’s big story.

The Death of Rugby dissects the disastrous Lions tour of New Zealand in 2005, the ousting of his mentor Dean Richards from Leicester Tigers, and Neil’s three years in charge of Leeds, before being recruited by The Rugby Football Club, whose owner Michael Aland left Neil and his colleagues having to walk away, despite an unbeaten season, and a league and cup double.

Neil deals with the adjustment from professional sportsman into family and regular working life, despite a critical illness in 2013, which has shaped his perspective on life. This is Neil Back’s story. This is The Death of Rugby.

About the Authors

Neil Back is a former Nottingham, Leicester Tigers, England, and British & Irish Lions rugby player, and former Tigers assistant coach, head coach of Leeds, Rugby Lions and forwards coach of Edinburgh.

In 2003, Neil was written in to the sport’s history, winning the Grand Slam and becoming one of the first men from the Northern hemisphere to win the Rugby World Cup, as England beat hosts Australia 20-17.

The Death of Rugby is Neil’s second autobiography, with Size Doesn’t Matter: My Rugby Life released in 2001.

Neil lives in Leicestershire, with his wife Ali, children Olivia and Fin, and their dog Sylvester.

Dean Eldredge is the communications director of Soar Media and Oporto Sports, having founded both agencies with co-director Gary Webster. He has worked in sports media and marketing for over ten years, notably as a communications consultant to Leicester City Football Club, and as a publicist to football managers Sven-Göran Eriksson, Chris Powell and Paulo Sousa.

Click here for further information on The Death of Rugby.