"a superb achievement"
Irish Daily Mail
"head and shoulders above the rest"
Irish Independent
"superb"
Irish News
"I read lots of sports books for work, but the standout this year was Tom English’s No Borders"
Irish Times
"marvellous"
The Spectator
From Jack Kyle’s immortals to Rory Best's 2018 Grand Slam heroes, this is the story of Irish rugby told in the players’ words.
Celebrated rugby writer Tom English embarks on a pilgrimage through the four provinces to reveal the fascinating and illuminating story of playing Test rugby in the green of Ireland – all the glory of victory, all the pain of defeat, and all the camaraderie behind the scenes.
But more than a nostalgic look back through the years, this is a searing portrait of the effects of politics and religion on Irish sport, a story of great schisms and volatile divisions, but also a story of the profound unity, passionate friendships and bonds of a brotherhood.
With exclusive new material garnered from over 130 interviews with players and coaches from across the decades, No Borders unveils the compelling truth of what it means to play for Ireland at Lansdowne Road, Croke Park, the Aviva Stadium and around the world. This is the ultimate history of Irish rugby – told, definitively, by the men who have been there and done it.