'Jimmy Joseph is one to watch. Kick Off does what is says on the cover: kicks off a great new series about a young rugby player's life on and off the pitch. I can't wait to read more' - Tom Palmer, award-winning children's author

'A great read, brilliantly written. It teaches lessons about rugby, both on and off the field' - Leigh Halfpenny, Wales and the British & Irish Lions

'I read this with my rugby-mad son and we both enjoyed it immensely - it really is a book for all ages' - Shane Williams, Wales and the British & Irish Lions

'A great read. The perfect book to encourage kids to follow their rugby dreams' - Tommy Bowe, Ireland and the British & Irish Lions

'This book is a go-to every night before bed with my rugby-adoring sons. A great read for young and old' - Greig Laidlaw, Scotland and the British & Irish Lions

'Loved this book! It's so good, even I might have struggled to get into this school team!' - Mike Phillips, Wales and the British & Irish Lions

'Smashing stereotypes, this brilliant book is worth more than a bonus point. Moving and magnificent, as well as one of the most exciting and confidence-inspiring stories I've read. Guaranteed to be a grand slam series; essential reading for rugby fans whatever your age' - Scott Evans, The Reader Teacher and #PrimarySchoolBookClub

Small, skinny, short-sighted . . . and dazzlingly talented.

Jimmy Joseph loves rugby. All he dreams about is one day playing for his country in a World Cup, or winning a Test series for the Lions with a last-minute drop-goal. But when he kicks an up-and-under in the schoolyard and accidentally hits his new teacher, Mr Kane, on the head, he makes a powerful enemy.

Jimmy and his best friends - Kitty, Manu and Matt - try to prove their worth on the rugby field, but to no avail. Mr Kane has it in for them - and life is already hard enough as they struggle to deal with the antics of team captain Mike Green, well known as the school bully.

Can Jimmy and his friends overcome the tyranny of Mr Kane and help Mike see the error of his ways? Or will the combination of bullying, pressure and dirty tactics derail the friends' rugby careers before they have even begun?

An epic new rugby series begins here!

Auteur

James Hook was a professional rugby player for 14 years, plying his trade for the Ospreys, Perpignan and Gloucester. He won 81 caps for Wales, which in-clude two World Cup campaigns, a Six Nations Grand Slam and he toured with the British & Irish Lions in 2009.