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The Only Way I Know
Not yet published
Expected 3 Mar 26Brought to you by Penguin.
At the age of 16, a boy amongst men, Andy Farrell made his first-team debut for Wigan Warriors – and became a father for the first time. At 18, he won his first senior international cap. At 21, he won his first Man of Steel Award for the Super League player of the year. He went on to win the Golden Boot award for world player of the year.
All of that on its own would have been enough to make him a sporting legend – and none of it even hinted at the fascinating second chapter of his sporting life, as a rugby union player with Saracens and England, or the third chapter, as a highly successful and beloved union coach. Under his leadership, Ireland have played a brilliant brand of rugby combining precision and freedom, and have been consistently ranked either number 1 or number 2 in the world.
Warm, thoughtful and passionate, Andy Farrell is not just a brilliant rugby he is a fascinating human being. His autobiography brings us back to his childhood in Wigan, when he made a meteoric ascent to the highest levels of rugby league; and to the extraordinary moment when, aged 15, he and his girlfriend Colleen – now his wife – learned they were going to have a baby. He writes about his ambitious attempt to remake himself as a rugby union player in his thirties. He writes about his remarkable relationship with his first child, Owen – who has gone on to become a legend of English rugby – and about the importance of family in his life. And he traces the journey that has led to him become one of rugby's most successful coaches, explaining what he has learned about leadership along the way.
Andy Farrell 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
At the age of 16, a boy amongst men, Andy Farrell made his first-team debut for Wigan Warriors – and became a father for the first time. At 18, he won his first senior international cap. At 21, he won his first Man of Steel Award for the Super League player of the year. He went on to win the Golden Boot award for world player of the year.
All of that on its own would have been enough to make him a sporting legend – and none of it even hinted at the fascinating second chapter of his sporting life, as a rugby union player with Saracens and England, or the third chapter, as a highly successful and beloved union coach. Under his leadership, Ireland have played a brilliant brand of rugby combining precision and freedom, and have been consistently ranked either number 1 or number 2 in the world.
Warm, thoughtful and passionate, Andy Farrell is not just a brilliant rugby he is a fascinating human being. His autobiography brings us back to his childhood in Wigan, when he made a meteoric ascent to the highest levels of rugby league; and to the extraordinary moment when, aged 15, he and his girlfriend Colleen – now his wife – learned they were going to have a baby. He writes about his ambitious attempt to remake himself as a rugby union player in his thirties. He writes about his remarkable relationship with his first child, Owen – who has gone on to become a legend of English rugby – and about the importance of family in his life. And he traces the journey that has led to him become one of rugby's most successful coaches, explaining what he has learned about leadership along the way.
Andy Farrell 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
384 pages, Hardcover
Expected publication March 3, 2026
32 people are currently reading
81 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews
January 15, 2026
Seriously hope this guy is the England head coach next
February 12, 2026
Probably a 3.5 - some generic sports autobiography sections, sprinkled with some Farrell wisdom that leaves you wanting more of it.
Part of Farrell's problem is he could write a huge book about his playing career or managerial career alone, so trying to fit both into one often feels like a disservice. Definitely parts where I wanted to know more - about what made that Wigan team so great, why they dropped off in his latter years, what he did in his playing career that set him up to be an inspirational coach.
His elaboration on his managerial career is far more insightful and he offers some interesting reflections - on why England in 2015 failed, his importance on authenticity as a leader, the way he bloods a squad so that there's always experience in their depth. Unfortunately it can often be separated by generic sports writing (eg sections that read like a match report). I found it intriguing how his coaching career has taught him how at times his emotional intelligence as a captain wasn't adequate. Also touched by how he clearly is proud of his son, despite also feeling he's been incredibly harshly treated in recent years.
Part of Farrell's problem is he could write a huge book about his playing career or managerial career alone, so trying to fit both into one often feels like a disservice. Definitely parts where I wanted to know more - about what made that Wigan team so great, why they dropped off in his latter years, what he did in his playing career that set him up to be an inspirational coach.
His elaboration on his managerial career is far more insightful and he offers some interesting reflections - on why England in 2015 failed, his importance on authenticity as a leader, the way he bloods a squad so that there's always experience in their depth. Unfortunately it can often be separated by generic sports writing (eg sections that read like a match report). I found it intriguing how his coaching career has taught him how at times his emotional intelligence as a captain wasn't adequate. Also touched by how he clearly is proud of his son, despite also feeling he's been incredibly harshly treated in recent years.
January 23, 2026
I’ve read my fair share of rugby autobiographies, and this, from a fellow Sandymount resident, was definitely among the better ones. Andy Farrell’s life has been a fascinating one to date: a rugby league prodigy, a father at 16, a national captain, the code conversion, coaching England during the 2015 RWC group exit, redemption and unparalleled success with Ireland, competing against his son, and the Lions, of course. Gavin Mairs did a great job in getting so much great content out of the man. What comes across is his sheer determination to be the very best. Long may it continue!
November 4, 2025
Loved every bit of this. In true Faz fashion, the last 25% is just references 🤣 but honestly, I didn’t mind — the insight, honesty, and heart throughout were brilliant.
Getting his perspective on the Lions was fascinating, and I knew Caelan Doris was meant to be captain before his injury — such a pity. His reflections on leadership, Ireland’s unity, and inspiring a nation were genuinely moving.
From becoming a dad at 16, his meteoric rise in rugby league to Mack Hansen promising (and following through!) to get Faz’s face tattooed on his thigh, to Finley’s bike vs. cricket line (still gas 😂), it’s packed with heart, humour, and humility.
Bless him, Faz is just so easy to read. You come away with even more respect for the man behind Ireland’s rise. 💚🏉
Getting his perspective on the Lions was fascinating, and I knew Caelan Doris was meant to be captain before his injury — such a pity. His reflections on leadership, Ireland’s unity, and inspiring a nation were genuinely moving.
From becoming a dad at 16, his meteoric rise in rugby league to Mack Hansen promising (and following through!) to get Faz’s face tattooed on his thigh, to Finley’s bike vs. cricket line (still gas 😂), it’s packed with heart, humour, and humility.
Bless him, Faz is just so easy to read. You come away with even more respect for the man behind Ireland’s rise. 💚🏉
November 16, 2025
Farrell: The Only Way I Know — Andy Farrell (16 October 2025)
📦 A working class boy. A rugby league legend. A union convert.
💥 A memoir where grit is the grammar of greatness and reinvention is survival.
📍 Wigan terraces to Twickenham’s test match stage.
🗝 Discipline, transition, loyalty. Farrell charts the journey from league prodigy to union stalwart, dismantling the myth that toughness is only physical. The tension lies in duality: family man and ferocious competitor; northern grit and international acclaim.
What if the only way forward was relentless refusal to quit?
Farrell’s memoir is blunt, unsentimental, and steeped in the rhythms of northern working class life. He recounts his rise through Wigan’s rugby league dynasty, the bruises and triumphs of a career defined by collisions, and the seismic shift of crossing codes into union. The narrative’s pulse is reinvention: how loyalty to family and sheer stubbornness scaffolded a career that defied easy categorisation.
The detail is vivid: the grind of training grounds, the roar of packed stadiums, the quiet sacrifices made at home. Farrell writes candidly about the toll of expectation, the discipline required to endure, and the resilience demanded by reinvention. His story is less about glory than about endurance — about refusing to be defined by limits, and about the cost of carrying toughness as both armour and burden.
This is not simply a sports memoir; it is a meditation on determination as creed. Farrell shows how grit is not just a trait but a language, spoken in every tackle, every recovery, every refusal to yield.
If you like memoirs where toughness is both virtue and burden, this delivers the same moral unease as dramas where survival itself is the creed.
💭 “Grit is the only grammar some lives know.”
💭 “Determination is the bridge between codes.”
📚 Why @KlacksReads recommends: Because it proves reinvention is survival, and toughness exacts a price worth naming — a reminder that resilience is not glamorous, but essential.
@KlacksReads · London · 14 November 2025
📦 A working class boy. A rugby league legend. A union convert.
💥 A memoir where grit is the grammar of greatness and reinvention is survival.
📍 Wigan terraces to Twickenham’s test match stage.
🗝 Discipline, transition, loyalty. Farrell charts the journey from league prodigy to union stalwart, dismantling the myth that toughness is only physical. The tension lies in duality: family man and ferocious competitor; northern grit and international acclaim.
What if the only way forward was relentless refusal to quit?
Farrell’s memoir is blunt, unsentimental, and steeped in the rhythms of northern working class life. He recounts his rise through Wigan’s rugby league dynasty, the bruises and triumphs of a career defined by collisions, and the seismic shift of crossing codes into union. The narrative’s pulse is reinvention: how loyalty to family and sheer stubbornness scaffolded a career that defied easy categorisation.
The detail is vivid: the grind of training grounds, the roar of packed stadiums, the quiet sacrifices made at home. Farrell writes candidly about the toll of expectation, the discipline required to endure, and the resilience demanded by reinvention. His story is less about glory than about endurance — about refusing to be defined by limits, and about the cost of carrying toughness as both armour and burden.
This is not simply a sports memoir; it is a meditation on determination as creed. Farrell shows how grit is not just a trait but a language, spoken in every tackle, every recovery, every refusal to yield.
If you like memoirs where toughness is both virtue and burden, this delivers the same moral unease as dramas where survival itself is the creed.
💭 “Grit is the only grammar some lives know.”
💭 “Determination is the bridge between codes.”
📚 Why @KlacksReads recommends: Because it proves reinvention is survival, and toughness exacts a price worth naming — a reminder that resilience is not glamorous, but essential.
@KlacksReads · London · 14 November 2025
November 22, 2025
Audible Version. I’ve docked a star for the most stupid of reasons I know, but the fact is that several players now, some in their own biographies, have called out how much was got wrong in the prep for the 2019 World Cup. I understand why Farrell, as a currently active head coach, couldn’t be entirely honest but there’s definitely more glossing over of that tournament than I’d consider acceptable. It’s just doubly a pity because in general terms this is an extremely frank and honest book that was an overall great listen.
February 1, 2026
Absolutely loved Andy Farrell as an RL player and truly Wigan great. I understand he’s been away from RL for 20 years and things have moved on in his career, but I was a bit disappointed with this book.
Really enjoyed the RL part of his story…but nothing personal, I can’t stand RU. So the second half of the book didn’t really grip me.
Like I said…nothing personal, but the book feels more RU focused.
Really enjoyed the RL part of his story…but nothing personal, I can’t stand RU. So the second half of the book didn’t really grip me.
Like I said…nothing personal, but the book feels more RU focused.
January 4, 2026
Was very tempted not to finish. No real in depth review on failings in RWC 2015/2019/2023.
Reads like it was written by the IRFU. Comes across as interesting on a surface level but definitely lacks a bit more honesty which is maybe fair as he's still coaching.
Reads like it was written by the IRFU. Comes across as interesting on a surface level but definitely lacks a bit more honesty which is maybe fair as he's still coaching.
January 25, 2026
Good autobiography - focused very heavily on the lions tour which made sense with the timing of the release.
Would have been better if it went more into 2019 World Cup and if he went into further introspection regarding what qualities led to him being a captain at such a young age
Would have been better if it went more into 2019 World Cup and if he went into further introspection regarding what qualities led to him being a captain at such a young age
November 15, 2025
Pretty good read if you are a rugby fan. Andy Farrell is a winner. His tough mentality is incredible but he manages to be people focused and supportive too.
November 19, 2025
Book finished rather abruptly. The early years chaperts were interesting but it all beco.es abit mundane after that. A good read for any rugby fan but not exactly engaging or exciting.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 21, 2025
3.5 stars
December 24, 2025
**Audiobook** hard as fook. Loved every second of this.
January 2, 2026
Another bland sports autobiography. Apart from some early life stuff, don’t know much more about Andy Farrell than I did prior to reading this.
Read
January 23, 2026Top class insight into the game of rugby/coaching.
Andy’s personal life as a young father and rugby player was fascinating. Would highly recommend reading..
Andy’s personal life as a young father and rugby player was fascinating. Would highly recommend reading..
November 16, 2025
An amazing insight to a very guarded man, interesting to hear from him in a family sense and a head coach.
Displaying 1 - 16 of 16 reviews