The Rugby Journal is the home of big rugby reads. A print quarterly that not only should take pride of place on any bookshelf, but one that digs deep into rugby unlike any other publication. Within the refined pages of the Rugby Journal, the greats (from Campese and Carling to Edwards and Isherwood) share their life stories, and a truly global game is explored, be it in Chile or China, Spain or Shetland, India or the Isle of Man. Rugby clubs aren’t just covered, they’re uncovered, revealing their past, present, and future through the many voices that make them what they are. And we’re not just talking about the Cardiffs, Castres, Bristols, and Bordeauxs of this world. It’s also about the Brixhams, Merthyrs, Clontarfs, and Stirlings. Every level of the game has incredible stories to tell, and the Rugby Journal is where you find them, beautifully told by the best storytellers.
RUGBY 29 • It’s just possible we love print a bit too much. It could be one reason to explain why our cover is a homage to 1950s and 1960s newsapers.
Rugby Journal
THE GAME • A CROWD OF 5,000 FILLED GOLDINGTON ROAD AS HOSTS BEDFORD BLUES PUT CAMBRIDGE TO THE SWORD, 50-7
BUILDING RUGBY • RUGBY STADIUMS ACROSS THE WORLD EACH HAVE THEIR OWN UNIQUE IDENTITY, WHETHER IT’S THE BLINK-AND-YOU-MISS-IT DEADBALL AREA, THE CRAMPED SEATING, THE MISMATCH STANDS, OR ACOUSTICS THAT TURN IT INTO A BEARPIT ATMOSPHERE. BUT THE GAME IS CHANGING. AND SO ARE THE STADIA IN WHICH IT’S PLAYED. SOON, A ‘RUGBY’ STADIUM COULD BE A THING OF THE PAST.
NEWCASTLE • WATERLOO WERE WELL BEATEN. WITH ENGLAND NUMBER EIGHT ROGER UTTLEY AS HIS TALISMAN, JACK ROWELL HAD TAKEN GOSFORTH TO BACK-TO-BACK JOHN PLAYER CUP VICTORIES WITH A 27-11 TWICKENHAM WIN. THEY WERE THE BEST IN ENGLAND, AND NEWCASTLE COULD BE PROUD OF ITS RUGBY TEAM. THEY WERE TRULY ON THE SPORTING MAP.
ORIGIN STORIES with #TheNationsNetwork • IF YOU’RE LUCKY, AND FIND YOURSELF IN OXFORD, THE MOST ENGLISH OF ENGLAND’S CATHEDRAL CITIES, LOOK TO THE TREE-LINED RIVER, AND YOU MIGHT CATCH A GLIMPSE OF A RUGBY SUPERHERO DEFTLY PUNTING HER WAY THROUGH THE WATERS. MAUD MUIR IS A PROP OF MANY TALENTS.
BRYN MEREDITH • Bryn Meredith was a hooker unlike any other. He could dummy, jink, sidestep, and score breathtaking tries, he was among the best ever seen. Never quite retired. Even now, aged 94, the oldest living Lion would still, if asked, lace up his boots one more time.
RUGBY PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR 2024 • Photographers from all around the globe, covering games anywhere from Africa or Australia to America, from the grassroots to the elite, enter this annual competition. Here, we showcase the winners and those shortlisted from more than 200 entries in each category, forming our exhibition at Twickenham’s World Rugby Museum.
JOE COKANASIGA • ONE GAME, TWO TRIES, BUT JOE COKANASIGA’S WORLD CUP ENDED THERE. IN TRUTH, IT ENDED THE MOMENT HE GOT OFF THE PLANE. HIS BIGGEST CHALLENGE WOULD THEN BEGIN: SURGERY, REHAB, PILING ON THE POUNDS, PLAYING, THEN INJURED AGAIN. AT THIS POINT, HE WAS DONE WITH RUGBY.
TONBRIDGE JUDDIANS • ON THE BANKS OF THE RIVER MEDWAY, A LOCATION SO PRIZED THE NORMANS WERE QUICK TO FORTIFY IT AND THE GERMANS WANTED TO BOMB IT, TONBRIDGE FIGHTS TO BE NOTICED IN THE HEART OF RURAL KENT. ITS WEAPON OF CHOICE? RUGBY.
MEG JONES • “The four months between my dad dying and my mum passing away were so tough, she became really dependent on the alcohol to the point where she was basically sedentary. You try and intervene, but quite frankly you have to allow them to suffer in their own suffering.”
MAURICE COLCLOUGH • ON A 1970S PENGUINS TOUR OF THE SOVIET UNION, A DESTINATION TOO RISKY FOR ENGLAND, WHERE HOTEL ROOMS WERE BUGGED AND RECEPTIONS FROSTY, ONE MAN MADE A SWIFT TRADE SELLING JEANS TO KGB AGENTS. MAURICE COLCLOUGH WAS UNIQUE, AS MEMORABLE OFF...