Ebook: After the final whistle: the first Rugby World Cup and the First World War

As Britain's Empire went to war in August 1914, rugby players were the first to volunteer. They led from the front and paid a disproportionate price. In 1919, a grateful Mother Country hosted a rugby tournament: sevens teams at eight venues, playing 17 matches to declare a first 'world champion'. There had never been an international team tournament like it. For the first time teams from Australian, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, Britain and France were assembled in one place. Rugby held the first ever 'World Cup'. It was a moment of triumph, a celebration of military victory, of Commonwea.;Cover; Praise; Title; Dedication; In Acknowledgement; Contents; Foreword; 1 On Rugby Fields the Whistles Blow; 2 The Last of Peace; 3 Scotland; 4 Australia; 5 New Zealand; 6 Canada; 7 South Africa; 8 United States of America; 9 England; 10 Ireland; 11 Wales; 12 France; 13 No Side; 14 The Return of the King; 15 Endgame; 16 Aftermath and Recovery; 17 Rugby Remembers; Bibliography; Plates; Copyright.