Boys of Winter
The must-read book ahead of the Rugby World Cup 2023.
England have been in four Rugby World Cup finals and only won one of them. In 2003, this team was the one that did it. And this is their story in their words.
The image of Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute winning drop goal is etched deep into the nation's consciousness - everyone knows where they were during that iconic moment on the 22nd November 2003. Twenty years on, with their achievement still unmatched, the affection and respect this band of brothers command is as great as ever. There is still no modern player as beloved as Jonny Wilkinson, no captain as celebrated and respected as Martin Johnson, and no coach as revered as Sir Clive Woodward. And there is no one with the aura and drive of Lawrence Dallaglio.
In The Boys of Winter, Dallaglio and writer Owen Slot tell the inside story of England's triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup through interviews with those involved, revealing how the team planned it and executed it; the iconic memories as well as the unseen moments.
But what has become of those heroes of our youth? This book also tells the story of how the tournament has shaped the lives of those involved, for better or worse. For many it was the pinnacle, for some a missed opportunity and for others a curse from which they never recovered.
- Includes never-before-seen interviews with the squad and coaching staff
- Reveals how the team planned and executed the 2003 Rugby World Cup win
- Takes you inside the dressing room and onto the pitch for this historic moment
- Uncovers for the first time the impact of the achievement on the players
- Explores why this success has never been repeated
This is the definitive account of a legendary sporting moment and an examination of the costs of our dreams.
Lorenzo Bruno Nero Dallaglio OBE, known as Lawrence Dallaglio, is an English retired rugby union player, former captain of England, and 2016 inductee of the World Rugby Hall of Fame. He played as a flanker or number eight for London Wasps and England, for whom he played 85 times.
Owen Slot (Author)
Owen Slot is chief sports writer at The Times. A three-times winner of UK sports reporter of the year and three-times sports feature writer of the year, Owen has covered every rugby world cup since 1995.