This reference work investigates the state of international Rugby Union during the 1996-1997 season by synthesizing player perspectives, tactical analysis, and comprehensive biographical data. Alex Spink, a sports journalist, compiles contributions from national team captains and international players to document the professional landscape of the sport. The text functions as both a historical record of international representation and a forward-looking analysis of the game's evolution at the time. By combining individual biographies with strategic commentary, the book provides a snapshot of the sport's organizational and competitive status during a pivotal era.

The text serves as a dense, archival resource for historians and enthusiasts interested in the specific administrative and competitive climate of mid-1990s rugby. Its reliance on primary source contributions from players and captains provides a specialized, insider perspective on the sport's development during that period.