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The Grudge: Two Nations, One Match, No Holds Barred
Murrayfield, the Calcutta Cup, March 1990. England vs. Scotland—winner-takes-all for the Five Nations Grand Slam, the biggest prize in northern hemisphere rugby. Will Carling's England are the very embodiment of Margaret Thatcher's Britain—snarling, brutish, and all-conquering. Scotland are the underdogs—second-class citizens from a land that's become the testing ground for the most unpopular tax in living Thatcher's Poll Tax. Fifteen men in blue jerseys are plotting the downfall of the English oppressors. In Edinburgh, nationalism is rising high—what happens in the stadium will resound far beyond the pitch. The Grudge brilliantly recaptures a day that has gone down in history. This is the real story of an extraordinary game, told with astounding insight and almost unprecedented access to key players, coaches, and supporters on both sides (Will Carling, Ian McGeechan, Brian Moore, and the rest). Tom English has produced a gripping account of a titanic struggle that thrusts the reader right into the heart of the action. Game on.
288 pages, Hardcover
Published January 30, 2020
8 people want to read
About the author
Tom English
6 books3 followersTom English (born 8 March 1991) is an Australian rugby union footballer who plays as a centre or wing for the Melbourne Rebels.
English is a former Australia Sevens representative. In 2011, he was named at inside centre for Sydney University in the final of the Shute Shield. The side was to be captained by Rebels flanker Tim Davidson.
In late 2012 English joined the Melbourne Rebels Extended Playing Squad. He stayed with the Rebels into 2013 and was named on the bench to play the Western Force in Round 1 and ACT Brumbies for Round 2 but didn't play. He made his Super Rugby debut when he replaced inside centre Rory Sidey against the Reds in Round 4. Seven weeks later he started on the right wing and played 58 minutes before being replaced by Lachlan Mitchell.
In 2014, English faced competition for a place in the Rebels centres from Mitch Inman and New Zealand import Tamati Ellison.
In May 2014 English was invited to train with the Wallaby squad preparing for series against France.
English is a former Australia Sevens representative. In 2011, he was named at inside centre for Sydney University in the final of the Shute Shield. The side was to be captained by Rebels flanker Tim Davidson.
In late 2012 English joined the Melbourne Rebels Extended Playing Squad. He stayed with the Rebels into 2013 and was named on the bench to play the Western Force in Round 1 and ACT Brumbies for Round 2 but didn't play. He made his Super Rugby debut when he replaced inside centre Rory Sidey against the Reds in Round 4. Seven weeks later he started on the right wing and played 58 minutes before being replaced by Lachlan Mitchell.
In 2014, English faced competition for a place in the Rebels centres from Mitch Inman and New Zealand import Tamati Ellison.
In May 2014 English was invited to train with the Wallaby squad preparing for series against France.
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Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews
January 16, 2026
Fascinating and balanced exploration of this classic fixture, brought to life with interviews from players and coaches of both sides and Tom English's excellent writing. Political context is woven in wonderfully to set up what is at stake. Could be the best rugby book ever.
May 3, 2024
The Grudge by Tom English is a gorgeous look at the rugby, the people and the politics that led to the Grand Slam-deciding Calcutta Cup showdown between Scotland and England in 1990. This one is 4⭐️ from me.
This was the first Tom English book I'd read, and I was really blown away by the style of this. Not only does the book describe the Five Nations Grand Slam Decider match at Murrayfield between Scotland and England, but it also goes into depth of the political background of the time, the biography of many of the players and coaches, the build-up over several years as well as the rest of the Five Nations fixtures. This book uses direct quotes from the players and coaches involved, from contemporary media people and rival nations' teams, as well as a historical approach, and a real storytelling description based both from eyewitness accounts and recorded footage. The style of this book was amazing and made me feel like I knew the people involved.
The match itself I had known about beforehand, but the depth of the history and biography I absolutely didn't, and I was really gripped discovering it all. Some of my favourites included Brian Moore, John Jeffrey and Jim Telfer, who gave fantastic accounts.
Definitely read this if you're interested in old school, amateur-era rugby, and the history of some of the most towering legends of the sport in Scotland and England.
This was the first Tom English book I'd read, and I was really blown away by the style of this. Not only does the book describe the Five Nations Grand Slam Decider match at Murrayfield between Scotland and England, but it also goes into depth of the political background of the time, the biography of many of the players and coaches, the build-up over several years as well as the rest of the Five Nations fixtures. This book uses direct quotes from the players and coaches involved, from contemporary media people and rival nations' teams, as well as a historical approach, and a real storytelling description based both from eyewitness accounts and recorded footage. The style of this book was amazing and made me feel like I knew the people involved.
The match itself I had known about beforehand, but the depth of the history and biography I absolutely didn't, and I was really gripped discovering it all. Some of my favourites included Brian Moore, John Jeffrey and Jim Telfer, who gave fantastic accounts.
Definitely read this if you're interested in old school, amateur-era rugby, and the history of some of the most towering legends of the sport in Scotland and England.
July 21, 2025
Read this in the build-up to the 2025 Calcutta Cup match and rattled through it in a few sittings. An absorbing account of the 1990 fixture told by the diverse cast of characters involved on each side and set against the social and political tension of the time.
Displaying 1 - 3 of 3 reviews