Routledge Barbarians, Gentlemen and Players - Rugby History & Sociology

First published in 1979, this seminal study traces rugby football's evolution from folk game to modern Union and League forms, establishing itself as an essential text in sport history. The new epilogue provides sociological analysis of major international rugby developments since 1979, with particular focus on the professionalism predicted in the original edition. Written by experts in sport sociology, this Routledge publication offers invaluable insights into how rugby transformed from traditional winter folk games into the organised sport recognised today. Ideal for rugby enthusiasts, sports history students, and anyone interested in understanding how social and cultural forces shaped one of the world's most popular team sports.