Jason Leonard: The Autobiography

by Jason Leonard, Alison Kervin (Contributor)

Leonard’s story starts as rugby started – in the amateur days, when the Cockney Carpenter began playing for Barking and Saracens in the days before multi-million pound business owners and sponsorship deals. His big break came when he was invited to join the England squad for their tour to Argentina in 1990 and has been capped 100 times. It was a tour that precipitated one of the greatest periods in the history of the British game, and Leonard provides a compelling insight into life behind the international scenes with England and the Lions, as well as the domestic game through his time at Saracens and Harlequins. Once told that he would never walk again after undergoing life-saving surgery on his neck, Leonard describes the torment he went through during this period – both physical and financial – and how he fought against all the odds to re-establish himself on the international stage. With 100 Test caps won to date, and a career in rugby union spanning two decades, there is no more experienced player in the modern game. Leonard has plenty to tell about the people he has met during his career – Rob Andrew, Will Carling, Lawrence Dallaglio, Brian Moore, Dick Best and Clive Woodward all feature – and with nicknames like 'The Fun Bus' and 'The Scourge of the Barking Barmaids' the stories are as colourful and controversial as the man himself. All is revealed in this fascinating portrait of an English rugby legend who also reflects upon England's 2002 Six Nations campaign, his hopes for his international future and a tough year for Quins.

Genres: Autobiography

386 pages, Paperback

First published December 1, 2002

Reviews

[Harry · Rating 4 out of 5]

One of the all time great rugby union players, quite simply a legend. His career successfully spanned the period where rugby union went from an amateur to a professional sport. I met him once and he was a total gentleman although he fails to mention our meeting in the book. It was in the Hilton in Cardiff. Strange he doesn't mention it!

[Mr Michael R Stevens · Rating 5 out of 5]

One Of The Better Ones

Jason Leonard - The Fun Bus - one man who encapsulates everything good about rugby.
His story is told in a straightforward way, matter of factly but with great humour and humility.
Fully deserving all the accolades this is his story.
Give it a go.

[Craig Hoare · Rating 3 out of 5]

Great man, great player, not a great book!

[Jordan Powell · Rating 3 out of 5]

It’s alright. A bit light on some of the stories and on field details but a perfectly enjoyable read.

[russell barnes · Rating 3 out of 5]

Sports 'auto' biographies are a funny beast; you rarely get anything insightful, they're easy to pick holes in and if it wasn't for the picture on the cover and those liberally spread about inside it would be difficult to tell them apart from each other.

Credit to Alison Kervin then for pulling together Jason Leonard's quite readable and insightful book. Okay, there's plenty of the usual mish-mash of x, y AND z all being the pinnacle of my career, but generally Leonard's thoughts on rugby and the ethos of the game are worth reading. Particularly with a bit of hindsight as this was published at least 10 years ago - pre winning the World Cup - and it's fascinating to see a lot of what he talks about coming true now.

Worth digging out and spending £2 on in Oxfam if you spot it.

[Skull · Rating 5 out of 5]

although covering a similar period of time to Brian Moore's autobiography, this is considerably better! There is however a surprising lack of information or mention of his years at Harlequins Rugby which I found surprising (but welcome!)

[Jack Fleming · Rating 2 out of 5]

Dry, too many match reports and not enough insight or behind-the-scenes information. Odd for such a character.

[David Highton · Rating 3 out of 5]

what a nice bloke