Chasing a Rugby Dream: Kick Off

Winner of the Telegraph Sports Book Awards Children’s Book of the Year

Small, skinny and short-sighted . . . and dazzlingly talented.

Jimmy Joseph loves rugby. All he dreams about is one day playing for his country in a World Cup, or winning a Test series for the Lions with a last-minute drop-goal. But when he kicks an up-and-under in the schoolyard and accidentally hits the new head of PE, Mr Kane, on the head, he makes a powerful enemy.

Jimmy and his best friends – Manu, Scott and Kitty – try to prove their worth on the rugby field, but to no avail. Mr Kane has it out for them, and he’s being helped by team captain Mike Green, well known as the school bully.

Can Jimmy and his friends overcome the tyranny of Mr Kane and help Mike see the error of his ways? Or will the combination of bullying, pressure and dirty tactics derail the friends’ rugby careers before they have even begun?

An epic new rugby series begins here!

James Hook has spent 14 years as a professional rugby player, plying his trade for the Ospreys, Perpignan and Gloucester. He has won 81 caps for Wales, which include two World Cup campaigns, a Six Nations Grand Slam and he toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2009. He lives in Swansea.

David Brayley is an author and sportswriter from Swansea. He has written two autobiographies for elite sportsmen, cricketer Tony Cottey and Wales international football captain, Ashley Williams, two official books for Swansea City and a cycling novel, Champion of Champions.

David Brayley is an author and sportswriter from Swansea. He has written two autobiographies for elite sportsmen, cricketer Tony Cottey and Wales international football captain, Ashley Williams, two official books for Swansea City and a cycling novel, Champion of Champions.