The gruesome stories of the hardest and most ruthless – yet incredibly talented – rugby union players since the First World War. In our era of citing commissioners, super-slow-motion replays and trial by social media, some of their actions are hard to believe. These men were totally committed to the sport, and irrespective of size, reputation or opposition, never took a step back on the pitch. And largely free from the confines of the commitments the modern professional game demands, many were as lively off the pitch as they were fiery on it. The ultimate book about the hard men of rugby union, including some of the very toughest and most talented players from all around the world. With profiles of: Paddy Mayne, Brian Lima, Wayne Shelford, Bobby Windsor, Colin Meads, Jerry Collins, Norm Hadley, David Bedell-Sivright, Scott Gibbs, Gérard Cholley, Trevor Brennan, Wade Dooley, Bakkies Botha, Tomás Lavanini, Sébastien Chabal and Weary Dunlop.