SHORTLISTED 2025

Rugby Book of the Year | Shortlisted

The Red Roses

by Jessica Hayden

In January 2019, England’s Red Roses became the first fully professional women’s rugby team in the world – their abiding mission being to win back the Rugby World Cup. After their narrow defeat against New Zealand in 2017, the formidable squad developed a hugely successful game plan that earned them the longest winning streak in rugby union history.

Acclaimed sports journalist Jessica Hayden, who has had unprecedented access to the Red Roses during the writing of this book, goes behind the scenes to follow their challenges, heartbreaks and triumphs.

Explore the rest of the Rugby Book of the Year Shortlist
View from the Second Row by Samuel Whitelock