This work investigates the evolution and competitive history of international rugby union over its first century of organized play. Terry Godwin, a respected rugby journalist and historian, utilizes extensive match records and historical archives to document the development of the sport from its early international fixtures to the established tournaments of the 1980s. The text provides a chronological framework that tracks the shifting dominance of national teams and the refinement of the game's rules and tactical approaches.

The subject matter points to a dense, specialist text that serves as a primary reference for historians and enthusiasts of the sport. Its focus on empirical data and chronological accuracy provides a foundational record for understanding the professionalization and growth of international rugby.