The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed The hilarious new sports book

A book that begins in a royal castle and concludes with a disastrous DJ set possesses a peculiar perfection. "The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed" isn't your typical sports memoir – it's what happens when you take three of rugby's most colourful characters, throw them into a literary blender, and hit puree.
Alex Payne (the supposed "good"), James Haskell (the self-proclaimed "bad"), and Mike Tindall (the "rugby") have taken their wildly successful podcast formula and transformed it into what promises to be one of 2025's most entertaining sports books. But calling it just a "sports book" feels like calling a tsunami a wave – technically accurate but missing the point entirely.
The trio's chemistry, already evident in their podcast, spills onto these pages with the same chaotic energy that's made their show a hit. They have mastered the art of being simultaneously insightful and irreverent, providing a glimpse into both the prestigious world of professional rugby and the somewhat less prestigious realm of their friendship.
What sets this book apart is its willingness to embrace the mess. Unlike most sports books that strive to present their subjects in a respectable light, "Unleashed" seems to embrace the rawness. Take, for instance, the chapter about Tindall bringing their "shambles of a podcast" to Windsor Castle. It's the kind of story that could only come from someone who's both a rugby legend and a royal family member – a unique intersection that Tindall navigates with surprising grace and humour. 
Haskell's segments unfold as a sequence of progressively unlikely mishaps, ranging from near-death encounters while travelling to DJ sets to confrontations with fans. His 77 England caps give him the credibility to be taken seriously, but it's his unfiltered approach to storytelling that makes these sections particularly engaging. He plays a pivotal role in the book, often expressing thoughts that others might hesitate to express.
Alex Payne, the book's protagonist, uses his struggles in his broadcasting career as a constant source of humour throughout the story. But don't let his self-deprecation fool you – his insider's perspective on rugby broadcasting adds depth to what could otherwise have been just another collection of locker room tales.
The book's structure mirrors their podcast's organic flow, jumping between serious rugby insight and outrageous anecdotes with the same ease these three show in conversation. It's this natural rhythm that makes the book work – you never quite know if the next page will contain tactical analysis of a crucial match or a story about someone getting stuck in a hotel elevator.
What could have been just another ghostwritten sports memoir instead feels refreshingly authentic. The voices of all three authors come through clearly, each bringing their own flavour to the mix. It's like sitting in a pub with three mates who happen to know everything about professional rugby and aren't afraid to tell the real stories.
The book isn't perfect – some jokes run a bit long, and occasionally the banter threatens to overshadow the rugby. But these minor flaws actually add to its charm. This isn't a polished, PR-approved version of events. It's raw, real, and occasionally ridiculous – just like the sport it celebrates.
"The Good, the Bad & the Rugby – Unleashed" is a book dedicated to rugby enthusiasts, yet it also appeals to those who value the captivating chaos that arises when three extraordinary personalities collide. It's a reminder that sometimes the best stories in sports happen off the field and that friendship, even at its messiest, makes for the best kind of entertainment. 
For fans of their podcast, this book is essential reading. For everyone else, it's a riotous introduction to three men who've helped make rugby more accessible and entertaining for a whole new generation. Just don't expect to learn many actual rugby skills – unless getting into (and out of) trouble counts as a sport.
A refreshingly honest, genuinely funny sports book that isn't afraid to tackle its subjects with both reverence and ridicule.
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Publisher: Visit Harper Collins
Published: May 22, 2025
Price: £9.99
Paperback: 304 pages
ISBN-10: 0008712727
ISBN-13: 978-0008712723
Dimensions: 129 x 198 (mm)