Beware of the Dog: Rugby's Hard Man Reveals All [Hardcover]

Brian Moore's nickname was `Ptibull' when he played rugby union including stints at Harlequins, the British Lions and earning a record 64 caps (as a hooker) for England. Renowned as one of the games `hard men' while rugby union was still an amateur sport he is now better known as a television commentator. He has always been outspoken `telling it as he sees it' so I was interested in finding out more about the man behind the public persona.

`Beware Of The Dog' is, like its author, uncompromising and unflinching. But more importantly it is not your typical vanity project or cash-in. I was surprised at how searingly honest and self critical the outwardly bombastic and seemingly super confident Moore is in this book.

From his adoption and upbringing in a loving family environment in Halifax, Yorkshire through to the present day as a public speaker, columnist and commentator this book is like the game of rugby itself: hard-hitting. There are plenty of unexpected revelations and powerful moments in the narrative.

Moore talks openly about the darker aspects to his nature, particularly his alter ego whom he has nicknamed `Gollum' (fans of Tolkien will understand the reference). It's not just his recall of the epic rugby clashes he was involved in for club and country as this also serves as a fascinating, revealing and at times shocking character study.

Fortunately there is much welcome laugh aloud humour amongst the darker aspects of the book. Moore is as expected, an excellent raconteur. The mind games, the war of the words, the rivalries and the tactics are all recounted and vividly recaptured here from Moore's perspective.

He of course played at a time when the game was still amateur, so it was commonplace to find GP's, policemen and solicitors playing (Moore was himself a practising solicitor throughout his rugby career).

The highs and lows are laid bare for all to see as well as the own personal high standards he sets for himself. I was particularly surprised to learn that the bombastic and tenacious public figure was in fact riddled with self doubt and even low self esteem throughout his life and career.

Whether you love or loathe him, Moore leaves the reader in no doubt that this autobiography is from the heart and nothing has been sugar coated or made more palatable with a wider audience in mind. This is a plain-speaking direct account of life on and off the pitch with no quarter given. He freely gives his views on the rugby establishment and the money men involved in the game today.

The book is also heart achingly moving at times, particularly an episode where Moore plays his final game. He admits to his other passions of wine and opera as well as skiing and track days on motorbikes. He is a fascinating individual who has had to deal with the twin demons of abandonment and abuse as well as his own self-destructive behaviour.

Out of all the sports autobiographies I have read (and there have been many) this one has left the biggest impression on me. If you want to get inside the mind of a sports star and learn what makes them tick then `Beware Of The Dog' is one for you.

› Go to Amazon.com to see the review  5.0 out of 5 stars