England rugby world champions - Hugh Godwin

A stimulating and timely photographic record of England's most successful year from June 2003, when they defeated New Zealand and Australia to become the world champions, until the end of the Six Nations in March 2004. The book is divided into five chapters, each one covering a particular period: the preparation and build-up to the finals; the pool stage of the finals; the quarter-final, semi-final, and final; the post-World Cup celebration; and the 2004 Six Nations. Short essays introduce each chapter using a mixture of anecdote, match analysis, interviews with the players and coaches and the author's own first-hand description of the atmosphere and the events themselves. The photographs chosen highlight not just the key moments and turning points in the matches, such as the famous Wilkinson drop goal, but also show spectacular action shots from the games, behind-the-scenes preparations, photos of the fans, stadiums, manager and coaching staff, and iconic images of the players at their greatest moments.