A third edition of James Stafford’s An Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby: Fun, Facts and Stories From Over 140 Years of International Rugby has been released by Polaris Publishing.
Originally published in 2021, the book received a second edition in 2022 and has now hit the shelves in updated form again after once more selling out.
On its release in 2021, the book received attention from BBC Radio Wales, with a panel on the Art Review Show praising the work. The popular Roy Noble Show had Stafford appearing as a guest to discuss the book. It also featured in a double-page spread in Wales’s national newspaper and was reviewed or featured on a range of podcasts and local media.
Today is the official release day of the 3rd (!) edition of 'An Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby' 🏴 🏉📚
— James Stafford 🇺🇦 (@jpstafford) May 16, 2024
Fully up to date, the book even includes how many times Wales have won each Wales jersey! JPR replaces Warburton on the book spine too! @Polaris_Books pic.twitter.com/FlK4Fz03FI
An Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby is the only book to be reviewed twice on cult podcast The Socially Distant Sports Bar, with Mammoth star Mike Bubbins recommending the title. The book’s cover art is by Carys Feehan and the inner art is from Raluca Moldovan, Anne Cakebread, Josel Nicols and Ched De Gala.
Below is some of the praise the book has received over the years:
“An Illustrated History of Welsh Rugby is a big achievement and will frame the game for young readers and curious grown-ups alike. It’s earned its place, spine to spine with the rugby historians who inspired its author to fill that gap on the bookshelf for a new generation.”
Carolyn Hitt, Western Mail and Wales Online (Winner of ‘Welsh Sports Journalist of the Year’ and ‘UK Sports Journalist of the Year’)
“A lighthearted, but also weighty, well researched, passionate and fun and serious look at our national game.”
Gary Raymond, Editor at Wales Arts Review on The Review Show BBC Radio Wales
“A lot of fun…I was surprised at how much it packed in.”
Kate North, Chair for Literature Wales on The Review Show on BBC Radio Wales
“Just my sort of thing…I love it… been my go-to book for the last few weeks. A really, really good book. If you love rugby and history, I really recommend. Fabulous illustrations and really interesting.”
Mike Bubbins, BBC Wales and The Socially Distant Sports Bar
“…the book underlines…how rugby and Welsh society are intertwined. An impressive amount of detail has gone into [its] creation.”
Welsh Rugby Union article on wru.co.uk
