Go back

A Gentleman's Game

Episode number: 1

Overview: The origins of rugby from European village football games in the Middle Ages to recreational hobby played by the well-to-do sons of the Establishment of 19th century Britain.

An International Game

Episode number: 2

Overview: How rugby spread from British universities to men of all social classes in the biggest Empire in history, changing nations political fortunes along the way.

A Global Game

Episode number: 3

Overview: How the U.S.A. received then adapted rugby into America’s national game – and how France overcame British resistance to remake rugby as ‘the beautiful game’ on a level that astonished the world.

A Power Game

Episode number: 4

Overview: How rugby’s misguided attempts to cling to past glories allowed media visionary Rupert Murdoch to swoop in and turn a 100-year-old staunchly amateur game fully professional.

A Professional Game

Episode number: 5

Overview: How France and England became the most powerful rugby nations in the world, and tiny, remote New Zealand became the number one team in rugby history.

Tomorrow's Game

Episode number: 6

Overview: How rugby returned to the Olympics in 2016 and finally opened its doors to women in a bold new era of change – in the process changing rugby from a niche into a sport for everyone in the world.