As Christmas approaches, I thought I would take a look at some books, that could feature in Rugby fans stockings on December 25th. The end of the calendar year is always a popular time for Autobiographies to be released, for me it has become a Christmas tradition for me to receive a Rugby players Autobiography every year. I will try and avoid spoilers in this review.

74 caps for Wales and 5 test appearances for the British Lions.

Warburton played in 79 tests, in one of the most physically demanding positions.

Sam Warburton has released his Autobiography this year, with the help of Boris Starling. Warburton was a player who was at the forefront of Welsh Rugby over the last 10 years of the Gatland Era, he has captained Wales more times than anyone else and has captained the British Lions in two consecutive tours, becoming the first victorious Lions captain this Millenium. This is a seminal Autobiography for me, as this is the first book from a player who was on my radar growing up in South Wales.

49 caps as Wales captain, the youngest World Cup captain for Wales.

Warburton was 22 years old when he was named as captain of the 2011 Rugby World cup squad, he went on to captain Wales more times than anyone else.

Warburton would feature heavily in Huw S Thomas’s weekly round up of Sixth form and College Rugby in Wales, as he impressed in a Whitchurch High School shirt in the top division of Welsh Schools Rugby. I’ll admit his name stood out, due to him sharing a surname with the well known bakery. What was also intriguing, was that Sam had a twin Brother Ben who played in the back line, whose name also featured in these articles.

It seemed that Sam was destined for the top, from a young age. But, my question at the time was, What was Warburton doing differently to my mates? who i had seen be levels above others in West Wales and on the County scene?

Open side, reveals the sheer will and determination that Warburton had from a young age, support from a strong family unit, a 24/7 training partner in his Brother Ben and the support of a school which had Gareth Bale in the same school year as the Warburtons. Whitchurch High School also had future Tour De France winner Geraint Thomas a few years ahead of Warburton and Bale. Sam discusses his first steps on a Rugby field, having found Rugby to be more suited to his physicality rather than Football, his first passion.

The issue of Politics in Youth Sport is a topic Warburton recalls passionately, there is an insight early in the book, into Warburton’s thought processes around squeezing as much as possible from his genetics. There are life lessons for youngsters to learn throughout the book, the usual hard work and dedication is a strong theme, but Open side also explores how Warburton dealt with frustration and rejection at some challenging times. Sam describes being fully focused as a youngster on becoming and remaining the elite Open side flanker in British Rugby.

Warburton comes across as being humble, intelligent and honest. This was confirmed in the Q and A he took part in as part of the Book launch, this was a fantastic event organised by Chepstow Books and Gifts ( See their website for upcoming events, including a Q and A with Warren Gatland). Following an interview about the book, Sam took a few questions from the audience, before taking time to personalise signed books and various other pieces of memorabilia for around 200 people, Sam was engaging and friendly to everyone at the event.

‘I was shocked, when he (Charteris) pulled out a packet of biscuits and started to eat them…… it’s something i couldn’t do. I had my reward after a match, everything in the build up to the game needed to be right, for me to feel confident that i would perform at my best’

Warburton, speaking at his book launch in Chepstow, when explaining his attitude to nutrition and preparation in his career. Incidentally, Warburton has praise for the way Charteris conducted himself in his career in Open Side.

The former Wales Captain’s drive and work ethic becomes more evident as the story progresses. He clearly has an ultra competitive alter ego where he sees himself as being superior to any of his opponents, his nutrition and gym workouts were and still are meticulous. He had his childhood hero and Icon Martyn Williams as a mentor when he arrived in the Cardiff Blues senior squad. Sam is a man, who sticks to the standards he sets, at the Q and A he told a story about his bewilderment at Luke Charteris eating a Custard Cream biscuit in a Hotel room during the week leading up to a Test match, the at the time young Warburton saw this as a sign of weakness. As Sam needed everything to be perfect to enable him to feel that he could perform at the elite level. As Warburton matured he came to realise that he was unable to impact on other team mates maintaining as high standards as him, which he speaks candidly about in Open Side.

The book provides a balanced look at the life of the Captain of the Welsh Rugby team, chronicling the highest highs and the lows. From the novelty of Sam being recognised in the centre of Cardiff with his then partner and now Wife in the infancy of his international career, to builders shouting ‘living the dream’ to Sam as he walked the dogs whilst battling one of his litany of injuries.

I always remark, how i would not want to be any of the Wales players the morning after a big game, my body having packed in from the punishment of a much lower standard of Rugby, Open Side covers this and looks at the mental impact of these injuries which is palpable throughout, the monotonous side of Professional Rugby is also discussed, as is the stress negotiating contracts had on Sam and his long suffering family.

The Warts and all description of the criticism Sam received from the media and Welsh Rugby public explains why Warburton was able to use this as fuel to propel him to achieve what he did prior to retirement. The negative side of this, led to self doubt creeping into Sam’s psyche. Warburton’s intelligence and drive led to him engaging with a Sports Psychologist, at the time this was not the normal reaction of a Wales player. But, due to the impact this had for Sam, more players engaged with this service.

Warren Gatland backed Warburton from a young age, he made Sam the youngest Wales captain at a World cup in 2011. Warburton discussed how this decision was made at the time, despite him initially being uncomfortable with the decision. The seven aspects of leadership Warburton discusses at the end of every chapter, are pretty much a guide to not only International captaincy, but also leadership in any walk of life. Warburton was renowned for the manner he conversed with referees, he notes that he was always aware of the negative impact speaking too much to a referee can have. This is a story i wish i had read during my time on the pitch, which many players can learn from.

How did Sam continue when he achieved his goals? Warburton aimed to be at the top of the world game, he captained two Lions tours and led Wales at two World cups. But he was still striving to achieve even more and he identifies what he saw as success in this book.

There were many set backs in Warburton’s career, the host of injuries he experienced disrupted momentum on numerous occasions. But Sam’s biggest challenge was dealing with the aftermath of the 2011 World Cup, where he was red carded in the Semi Final, in a game Wales agonisingly lost. The process of how Warburton used this to motivate him onto future achievements is an interesting story.

The British Lions, was the pinnacle of Warburton’s career, he describes the surreal experience of being given his first Test jersey in 2013 in a heartwarming manner. The players who Sam had the most respect for in his team, and the opposition is another entertaining feature. Although he has confirmed some of my thoughts on others he was not that keen on in equal measure.

Warburton reveals the crippling anxiety which reached a crescendo on the eve of the deciding test in the 2017 Lions tour of New Zealand, this shows the utter turmoil the high pressured life as a professional Rugby had caused Sam. This leads onto the aftermath of the drawn Lions series, his story is rounded off by him explaining how he came to the eventual decision to retire.

‘A Candid insight into the negative impact Rugby has started to have on Sam and his family’

The brutal nature of Rugby, has a far reaching impact on players and their families.

One thing is clear, Warburton will succeed in whatever he chooses to do. He already writes an informative article for the Times, and appears as knowledgable pundit on the BBC and ITV for their World Cup coverage. He has also recently released a high protein bread, in association with Warburton’s bakery rivals Brace’s bread. Open side has also been an opportunity for Sam to record how he feels Rugby needs to change for the sake of player welfare. I’m not going to divulge that here, and advise you buy the book to see what changes Sam would make.

‘Must Buy’

Any Welsh Rugby fan will find this book fascinating.

This Book is a ‘must buy’, for any Rugby fan. But, especially Welsh Rugby fans. The numerous lessons for youngsters provides insight, into what it takes to be an elite level Rugby Player. Back to my original question……

What did Warburton do differently to my contemporaries when we were growing up? The answer? Absolutely everything he did!