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The Boys of Winter
THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES BESTSELLER
'A gripping book that brings that unforgettable match back to pulsating life' Daily Mail
'Fans will relish' The Times
England have been in four Rugby World Cup finals and only won one of them. In 2003, this team was the one that did it. And this is their story in their words.
The image of Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute winning drop goal is etched deep into the nation's consciousness. More than twenty years on, with their achievement still unmatched, the affection and respect this band of brothers command is as great as ever.
In The Boys of Winter, former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio and writer Owen Slot tell the inside story of England's triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup through interviews with Martin Johnson, Clive Woodward, Jonny Wilkinson and all those involved, revealing how the team planned it and executed it; the iconic memories as well as the unseen moments.
But what has become of those heroes of our youth? This book also tells the story of how the tournament has shaped the lives of the team, for better and worse. For many it was the pinnacle, for some a missed opportunity and for others a curse from which they never recovered.
- Includes never-before-seen interviews with the squad and coaching staff
- Reveals how the team planned and executed the 2003 Rugby World Cup win
- Takes you inside the dressing room and onto the pitch for this historic moment
- Uncovers for the first time the impact of the achievement on the players
- Explores why this success has never been repeated
This is the definitive account of a legendary sporting moment and an examination of the costs of our dreams.
'A gripping book that brings that unforgettable match back to pulsating life' Daily Mail
'Fans will relish' The Times
England have been in four Rugby World Cup finals and only won one of them. In 2003, this team was the one that did it. And this is their story in their words.
The image of Jonny Wilkinson's last-minute winning drop goal is etched deep into the nation's consciousness. More than twenty years on, with their achievement still unmatched, the affection and respect this band of brothers command is as great as ever.
In The Boys of Winter, former England captain Lawrence Dallaglio and writer Owen Slot tell the inside story of England's triumphant 2003 Rugby World Cup through interviews with Martin Johnson, Clive Woodward, Jonny Wilkinson and all those involved, revealing how the team planned it and executed it; the iconic memories as well as the unseen moments.
But what has become of those heroes of our youth? This book also tells the story of how the tournament has shaped the lives of the team, for better and worse. For many it was the pinnacle, for some a missed opportunity and for others a curse from which they never recovered.
- Includes never-before-seen interviews with the squad and coaching staff
- Reveals how the team planned and executed the 2003 Rugby World Cup win
- Takes you inside the dressing room and onto the pitch for this historic moment
- Uncovers for the first time the impact of the achievement on the players
- Explores why this success has never been repeated
This is the definitive account of a legendary sporting moment and an examination of the costs of our dreams.
340 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 31, 2023
9 people are currently reading
26 people want to read
About the author
Lawrence Dallaglio
17 booksLorenzo Bruno Nero "Lawrence" Dallaglio, OBE (born 10 August 1972) is a retired English rugby union player and former captain of the English national team. He played as a flanker or number eight for London Wasps and never played for another club, having arrived at Sudbury as a teenager. He was capped in all three positions in the back row, and captained England until a drugs scandal forced his resignation from that role. He is a regular pundit on BT Sport rugby coverage.
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Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews
December 20, 2024
Boys of Winter follows captain of the 2003 World Cup triumph Lawrence Dallaglio on a road trip to catch up with his former team mates. I have no doubt that being sat in on the conversations would have been riveting, but it didn’t quite translate into a captivating book for me. There’s some clear themes; for many players, life peaked at 2003 and has been hard since. For those on the periphery, they struggle with what they deem to be false acclaim. And for English rugby, what should have been a turning point to sustained success was let drift by those asleep at the wheel.
The book is a metaphor for focussing on the process, not the outcome, in order to lead a happy and fulfilled life. Did the job as a night time read, but not revolutionary.
The book is a metaphor for focussing on the process, not the outcome, in order to lead a happy and fulfilled life. Did the job as a night time read, but not revolutionary.
February 10, 2024
A fascinating insight into the greatest England Rugby team there has ever been.
Written by Lawrence Dallaglio and Owen Slot, the book follows the build up to the cup, the matches played and of course that magnificent 2003 final.
I have always considered myself something of an expert when it comes to that team and their success, but what I wasn’t aware of was the sheer amount of toll the whole event took on them physically and mentally, let alone the disgrace of the 20years in between.
It’s a powerful read and highlights key issues within the wider game, as Dallaglio attempts to understand why no other England team, or indeed a Northern hemisphere team, has ever completed the same feat.
Five out of five.
Written by Lawrence Dallaglio and Owen Slot, the book follows the build up to the cup, the matches played and of course that magnificent 2003 final.
I have always considered myself something of an expert when it comes to that team and their success, but what I wasn’t aware of was the sheer amount of toll the whole event took on them physically and mentally, let alone the disgrace of the 20years in between.
It’s a powerful read and highlights key issues within the wider game, as Dallaglio attempts to understand why no other England team, or indeed a Northern hemisphere team, has ever completed the same feat.
Five out of five.
November 30, 2025
Reasonably interesting account of where the winning individuals for the RWC 2003 are now and how being England’s only ever RWC winners has impacted their lives. Probably the most interesting but is how differently it impacts each of them and what it means to them looking back. An easy read and well put together thematically but probably doesn’t go deeply enough into how each one really feels now.
June 28, 2024
I really enjoyed this. These guys were the heroes of my teens and 20s. Hearing about their personal experiences of the World Cup win was fascinating and really tickled the ol' nostalgia bone. I found it really enlightening to read about individuals' experiences of pressure to perform and the impact on their mental health, having viewed them as completely unbreakable men of steel. Incredible men.
November 10, 2023
I really enjoyed this book. It was interesting, compelling and thought-provoking. I wish there had been more about what happened after the world cup final, as it's fascinating how the RFU dealt with (or didn't) the players and staff.
December 31, 2024
When reading this book I really enjoyed the insight and behind the scenes look through the players eyes of what it was like to win the World Cup which is the pinnacle of this sport . Incredible book and would be open to hearing more stories in the future .
November 22, 2023
an amazing look at the 2003 RWC and the men who made it happen
its made me thing a lot about that time and i learned a lot about the lads that played and didn't play
its made me thing a lot about that time and i learned a lot about the lads that played and didn't play
January 14, 2024
Brilliant read that uncovers many stories around the winners of the 23 WC. Great to hear what they’re all up to now too.
February 15, 2024
Excellent 20 year retrospective view
October 16, 2024
A must read book for Rugby fanatics. Fascinating insight into high pressure rugby in the early days of professionalism.
January 3, 2025
I listened to this on Audible and found the narrator a struggle. Pacing was slow and, there were themes (for example player aftercare, the RFU and broader culture) that didn't get enough detail.
March 20, 2025
Obviously helps if you like rugby but really interesting book about the world cup win, what it's like to be an elite sportsperson and what especially what happens when you retire.
Displaying 1 - 12 of 12 reviews