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The Red Roses: Behind the Scenes with the England Women's Rugby Team
In January 2019, England’s Red Roses became the first fully-professional women’s rugby team in the world with one win back the Rugby World Cup. In 2017, they lost the final 41-32 against New Zealand. With the 2021 tournament delayed by one year due to Covid, the team had five years to complete their mission and over three years as a fully professional side. As a professional unit, the Red Roses developed a game plan so forensic and impenetrable, they secured the longest winning streak in rugby union history.
The Red Roses headed into the 2021 Rugby World Cup as clear favourites. After a clean sweep in the pool stages, and big wins in the knock-out games, England faced New Zealand, the hosts, in the final. One year before, England had defeated them with record-breaking score lines on consecutive weekends and all eyes were on Sarah Hunter, England captain, with the expectation she would lift the trophy.
Yet in the final play of the game, New Zealand stole the victory so many saw as promised to England. The Red Roses will host the Rugby World Cup in 2025, and the stakes have never been higher. Can they finally win back the trophy?
The Red Roses headed into the 2021 Rugby World Cup as clear favourites. After a clean sweep in the pool stages, and big wins in the knock-out games, England faced New Zealand, the hosts, in the final. One year before, England had defeated them with record-breaking score lines on consecutive weekends and all eyes were on Sarah Hunter, England captain, with the expectation she would lift the trophy.
Yet in the final play of the game, New Zealand stole the victory so many saw as promised to England. The Red Roses will host the Rugby World Cup in 2025, and the stakes have never been higher. Can they finally win back the trophy?
256 pages, Hardcover
Published May 7, 2024
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Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews
March 1, 2025
I’ve just finished this book after watching the first of this years PWR semi finals between Saracens and Harlequins. Tomorrow there is yet another big semi final between Gloucester Hartpury and Bristol Bears. Gloucester are trying to make it three years in a row that they will win the final.
This book has given me the background to the womens game that I wasn’t aware of and has given me an insight into the current England players.
It was such an honest book with both the author and the England players being searingly honest about what being a Red Rose is like and what the ups and downs of being in that environment are.
The World Cup is on this 2025 summer. I’ve got my tickets to a number of games and to one of the semi finals. I hope and pray that this time next year we’ll all be reflecting on England being once again world champions.
This book has given me the background to the womens game that I wasn’t aware of and has given me an insight into the current England players.
It was such an honest book with both the author and the England players being searingly honest about what being a Red Rose is like and what the ups and downs of being in that environment are.
The World Cup is on this 2025 summer. I’ve got my tickets to a number of games and to one of the semi finals. I hope and pray that this time next year we’ll all be reflecting on England being once again world champions.
March 30, 2024
This book has well and truly made me a fan of women’s rugby!!!
I’ve never been a sports fan or a rugby fan, growing up I was not surrounded by sports and honestly thought that sports was for boys. None of my girl friends played any sports and there were very little of any women’s sports on the TV.
Now I’m older and know that ‘sport is for boys’ is absolute RUBBISH I realised how much I missed out on. Reading this book has inspired me, the passion of the Red Roses both at the very start and to where they are now is phenomenal. Learning about challenges they have faced and continue to face but how much they do, despite the challenges, simply because they love the sport!
I write this as I watch the Women’s Six Nations in full support of the Red Roses. This book has made me a Rugby Fan and I’m so very grateful for Jess for introducing me to it 🌹♥️
I’ve never been a sports fan or a rugby fan, growing up I was not surrounded by sports and honestly thought that sports was for boys. None of my girl friends played any sports and there were very little of any women’s sports on the TV.
Now I’m older and know that ‘sport is for boys’ is absolute RUBBISH I realised how much I missed out on. Reading this book has inspired me, the passion of the Red Roses both at the very start and to where they are now is phenomenal. Learning about challenges they have faced and continue to face but how much they do, despite the challenges, simply because they love the sport!
I write this as I watch the Women’s Six Nations in full support of the Red Roses. This book has made me a Rugby Fan and I’m so very grateful for Jess for introducing me to it 🌹♥️
March 15, 2024
Hard to describe how much I loved this without writing another book! Any sports fan would enjoy this, I'm sure.
It is a brilliant account of how The Red Roses became the most terrifying team in the world, lost a heartbreaking world cup final in the dying minutes, and began to rebuild. You find out about the challenges: past, present, and future and there are so many incredible stories about the people who contributed throughout history.
It's detailed and personal but balanced and engaging, laugh-out-loud funny but heartbreaking, smart and focused but always engaging. It definitely isn't a PR account - this book isn't afraid to criticise where it's needed but it also knows where to celebrate and the result is excellent. Definitely pick up a copy!
It is a brilliant account of how The Red Roses became the most terrifying team in the world, lost a heartbreaking world cup final in the dying minutes, and began to rebuild. You find out about the challenges: past, present, and future and there are so many incredible stories about the people who contributed throughout history.
It's detailed and personal but balanced and engaging, laugh-out-loud funny but heartbreaking, smart and focused but always engaging. It definitely isn't a PR account - this book isn't afraid to criticise where it's needed but it also knows where to celebrate and the result is excellent. Definitely pick up a copy!
June 12, 2024
I play rugby and have done for years and love going to Red Roses matches. I saw this book on my way to a Red Roses match at Twickenham. It’s the best book I have read this year, it’s full of interesting stories and inspires me to be a red rose.
February 25, 2025
The right balance of history of the England women's rugby team and women's rugby generally with insight into the Red Roses setup and a bit of biography on some current players
March 4, 2025
Would be a good instruction manual for the men's team. Honest and informative.
Displaying 1 - 6 of 6 reviews