Tony Collins

Tony Collins will be reading from his new book The Oval World: a global history of rugby and talking about why Leeds is one of the most important cities in the story of rugby.

Illustrated with films of historic matches, Tony will explain how rugby became a vital part of the social history of the north of England.

Rugby has always been a sport with as much drama off the field as on it. For every thrilling last-minute Jonny Wilkinson drop - goal to win the World Cup or Jonah Lomu rampage down the touchline for a try there has been a split, a feud. or a controversy.

Featuring the great moments in the game’s history and its legendary names — David Duckham, Serge Blanco, Billy Boston, and David Campese, alongside Rupert Brooke, King George V, Boris Karloff, Charles de Gaulle, and Nelson Mandela - The Oval World investigates just what it is about rugby that enables it to thrive in countries with very different traditions and cultures. This is the definitive world history of a truly global game.

Tony Collins is Professor of History and former Director of the International Centre for Sports History and Culture at De Montfort University,