The revelatory autobiography of a rugby colossus Paul OConnell. WINNER OF THE CROSS SPORTS BOOK AWARDS RUGBY BOOK OF THE YEARThere has never been a rugby player quite like Paul OConnell. He is synonymous with passion, heart and determination but he is also the thinking mans rugby player, a legendary student of the game. As the heartbeat of Munster, British and Irish Lions captain in 2009, and captain of the first Ireland team to defend a Six Nations championship, OConnell has emerged as perhaps the most beloved of the golden generation of Irish rugby players. In an autobiography as intense as its author, he tells the story of his remarkable career.The years of OConnell and ODriscoll were as close to a golden age as ever Ireland will get and OConnells book tells you how it all happened ... It should be mandatory for every Irish squad member to read OConnells book to better understand what it takes to make a team David Walsh, Sunday TimesOConnell has emptied the tank here. ... What has come out ... is a psychological profile that is almost shocking at times in what it reveals about the bloody singlemindedness of the competitive gene Hilary A. White, Irish IndependentThe intense physicality of his rugby upbringing is an abiding theme ... along with humour, the craic and an extensive knowledge of how teams work Paul Hayward, Daily TelegraphI found The Battle entrancing Stephen Jones, Sunday TimesExcellent ... [an] eyeopening account of the neverending battles he fought Rugby...

Binding: Paperback;432 pages; Publisher: Penguin Books Ltd; Classification: BGSA; Weight: 466 g; Dimensions: 130 x 198 x 28

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