Jim Telfer: Looking Back … For Once

Jim Telfer is one of the greats of international rugby, with a career spanning more than five decades. Looking Back …For Once reveals how a shepherd’s son from the Borders became the major driving force in the most successful days of Scottish rugby and steered the game into the professional era. The former captain and coach of Scotland and coach of the British and Irish Lions now sets the record straight on the controversies that raged during his career. What made him lambast New Zealand rugby in its Canterbury heartland? Why did he not select his ‘best-ever Scottish forward’ for a Lions tour? And, in his opinion, what was the best Scotland team? Telfer has intriguing views on the current state of the game, but this is more than a rugby book. He expresses his sadness at the prospect of life without children and his subsequent delight in adopting, and reveals how his teaching career was blighted by tragedy in Glasgow but invigorated by a long-haired eccentric. With personal contributions from Martin Johnson, Colin Meads, Andy Irvine and Gregor Townsend, among many others, Telfer clearly remains one of the most widely respected men in world rugby. This is his story.

Reviews of Jim Telfer: Looking Back … For Once

"'Telfer lets rip'" Daily Express "'One could sit and listen to Jim Telfer all day; if you do not have that opportunity, then this book is more than a suitable replacement. You can hear the man as you read'" Border Telegraph "'Many sporting autobiographies suffer from their authors shying away from any unpalatable truths that might dent the lustre of their reputations. Not so Jim Telfer'" Southern Reporter