Tab Article

Genre: Humor, Sports, Music/Folk Songs, Adult Comedy
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

Book Review:
More Rugby Songs is exactly what it claims to be: a hearty, unapologetic collection of over a hundred traditional and beloved rugby songs, released to meet popular demand following the success of its predecessor, Rugbysongs. This companion volume is a testament to the raucous, communal, and often irreverent spirit of rugby culture.

The book serves as a curated songbook of the chants, ditties, and anthems sung in rugby clubs and on tour buses, ranging from classics like When I Was Only Seventeen to alternate versions of familiar tunes. It’s presented with a clear understanding of its audience—rugby enthusiasts, players past and present, and those with an appreciation for bawdy, folk-style humor.

As a piece of social history and sporting folklore, it’s a fascinating compilation. The humor is broad, cheeky, and firmly in the tradition of British “sporting songs,” so it may not be to everyone’s taste. There is no narrative or analysis—it is purely a collection of lyrics meant for singing and sharing.

If you’re looking for a serious sports book, this isn’t it. But if you want to understand or participate in the off-pitch camaraderie of rugby, or if you enjoyed the first volume, More Rugby Songs delivers exactly what it promises: a good-natured, celebratory, and wildly popular archive of the game’s unofficial soundtrack. A perfect gift for the rugby fan in your life.