A work as we like them. Richly illustrated and with countless starters to peck at according to your desires. Gérard Holtz and his son, Julien, have achieved the feat of talking about everything, with originality and relevance. We have fun discovering the origins of refereeing, the evolution of the shape of the oval ball, learning that the thrust of a scrum was equivalent to the power of two double-decker buses. From all the French XV jerseys to its legendary matches, including the voices of rugby on television, the panorama is exhaustive. Before a final part devoted to the rest of the oval planet: its stars, its rites, its legendary stadiums and, even, Che Guevara’s passion for rugby. A beautiful book full of anecdotes and off the beaten track. Pleasant.Editions Gründ, €39.95
Among the many works that come out on the occasion of this World Cup, the work of Philippe Toinard, culinary journalist for 20 years, is undoubtedly one of the most original. He decided to reconcile his two passions: the oval ball and gastronomy. Thus, 57 former players of the XV of France have agreed to give him the recipe for their favorite dish. Starter, main course, dessert, everything goes. We’re salivating over Pierre Berbizier’s stew or Grégory Alldritt’s sole meunière, as well as Jean-Pierre Garuet’s sweetbreads. We enjoy the superb black and white portraits of the players by Vincent Baldensperger and the photos of the dishes sketched by Pierre Louis Viel. A superb work, between art photos and cooking recipes. Unavoidable. Editions de La Martinière, €39
The starting point is original. The author, Philippe Spanghero, offers typical rugby expressions, asks about fifteen rugby personalities, from his uncle, Walter, to Vincent Clerc via Thierry Dusautoir or Jean-Pierre Rives, to do the same. A festival of good words or more personal reflections on the meaning of this game. Before submitting each of them to the sagacity of Médéric Gasquet-Cyrus and Arnaud Richard, two linguists who decipher the hidden meaning, the deep origin, of this dialect specific to the oval ball. Le Robert, €18.90
In four years, the life of Antoine Dupont has suddenly accelerated. From a small prodigy of French rugby, he became the icon of a country, of a sport, gleaning successes whether with the Stade Toulousain or the XV of France. On the occasion of the World Cup, an autobiography has just been published, in the form of a comic strip, of the best player in the world in 2021. Written by Caroline Capodanno, Elisa Casucci and Robert Eavorschi, this comic strip looks back on his journey, from his most young age in the Gers until its blossoming at the highest level. From moments of doubt to the joys shared with his various teammates. A book intended for the youngest but which will also fascinate all lovers of the oval ball. Sports Factory, €15.90
Siya Kolisi is a character that goes far beyond the framework of the country. The first black captain of the Springboks, he led his team, four years ago in Japan, to their third world title after those of 1995 and 2007. And the general public then learned to discover the incredible journey of Kolisi, who grew up in a township of Zwide, near Port Elizabeth, and was brought up by his grandmother after his mother died at age 15. Asked at the time whether as a kid he dreamed of being world champion, Kolisi blurted out: “When I was little, the only thing that mattered to me was whether I was going to be able to eat…” This autobiography, written with Boris Starling, looks back on this extraordinary journey, without ever falling into pathos and tearfulness. The preface is signed by Yannick Nyanga, the former flanker of the Blues, who confides about the future player of Racing 92: “I sincerely think that the qualities of the man exceed that of the player and the public figure, in his ability to give without expecting anything in return.”Thierry Souccar Editions, €19.90
After the round ball, Kevin Veyssière passes the oval ball to the sieve of international issues. From its British roots to its expansion into “The Empire” to its slow, very slow opening to new countries. Expert in the geopolitics of sport, the author deciphers the challenges to come, the many territories that remain to be conquered. The United States is the next target. Before China? Not to mention the new interest of the Persian Gulf countries which are beginning to invest in rugby. A complete panorama from the origins to the future challenges to be met by this sport which is still not universal and which has long resisted opening up, with a World Cup born only in 1987 and an even later transition to professionalization.Max Milos, €19.90
Who says World Cup says stars and revelations. Richard Escot paints the portraits of 50 players, confirmed or in the making, who could be the heroes of this tenth edition of the planetary competition. From Uruguayan Santiago Arata to Fijian Nayacalevu Waisea. Without forgetting the Blues – eleven of them are entitled to their presentation – or the little Italian marvel Ange Capuozzo. No doubt, the future best player of this World Cup is already in these pages.Solar, €21.90
The All Blacks, since they exist, have always fascinated the oval planet. A kind of “black magic” surrounds them. Even if it went through turpitude before this World Cup, New Zealand remains, all sports combined, the team that has enjoyed the most success. But to arrive and maintain such a level of excellence? This is the question that James Kerr, writer and specialist in corporate narrative communication, who was able to accompany the All Blacks during a World Cup, tried to answer. What emerges are fifteen practical leadership lessons for achieving clear goals: to win, to stay at the top, and to pass on a legacy. Former New Zealand hooker Anton Oliver, who worked for RC Toulon, is won over: “Very well written, very well seen. It’s both intelligent and penetrating.”Thierry Souccar Éditions, €19.90
The Boucherie Ovalie, a collective created in 2009 and which has become essential in the French rugby landscape, needs no introduction. A bitter and mocking look at rugby which began on Twitter (now X), before being exported to bookstores. “La Boucherie”, as they say, already has several works where we find their bad spirit (but not bad) on the world of ovality. On the occasion of the World Cup, they are releasing this revisited story of the XV of France. We laugh a lot. Consecration: it is the idol Yonel (yes, not Lionel) Beauxis who signs the preface, with his companion Marie-Alice Yahé, a former player who has become a consultant for Canal. There is even an interview with Benoît Hamon, former winger of the XV Parliamentary. That is to say if they are funny…Éditions Marabout, 32 €
“This book perfectly explains the course of the 2022 Six Nations Tournament where the XV of France won the Grand Slam. The matches are very well told from start to finish, you even have the impression of being among the supporters. We understand that the life of a rugby player is not always easy. With the fans, the hard training and the games to play, we understand in the book that the players live under constant pressure. On the other hand, I am disappointed that the Grand Slam des Bleus is not described at length enough. I was also surprised to read that, during meetings abroad, the Blues were greeted with “whistles and insults”, whereas it is usually only a question of intimidation. In the end, I recommend this book to young rugby enthusiasts.” Euline, 11 years Hugo Youth Editions, €9.90
Flammarion and Midi Olympique had the excellent idea of republishing the essential sum of the late Jacques Verdier. Revised and expanded, World Rugby Anthology traces two centuries of history and passion. If it was not already in your library, the oversight must be repaired without delay. Flammarion, 45 €
