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SHORTLISTED 2024

Rugby Book of the Year | Shortlisted

Throwing the Book

by Wayne Barnes with Ben Dirs

There aren’t many people who can say they’ve been the 31st man on the pitch during a World Cup humdinger, or a Grand Slam decider, or a Premiership or European Cup final; listened to the sobs of a 20-stone prop as he tries to belt out his national anthem; heard bones crunch after the mightiest of hits; or been yards away from the greatest players of the last 20 years, doing almost impossible things with a rugby ball.

Especially when you’re a working-class lad from the Forest of Dean, wondering how you ever got there.

Throwing the Book will be the definitive account of what it is to be a rugby referee. Serious when it needs to be, but also rich in humour and humanity. A love letter to the sport that has provided Wayne with so much.

Throwing the Book by Wayne Barnes with Ben Dirs
Explore the rest of the Rugby Book of the Year Shortlist
Brotherhood by Martin Pengelly and introduction by H. R. McMaster
Concussed by Sam Peters
The Men in the Arena by Peter Burns and Tom English
Rassie by Rassie Erasmus with David O'Sullivan
The Boys of Winter by Lawrence Dallaglio and Owen Slot