Full moon

How does a Black Country boy from the football heartland of the West Midlands end up playing international rugby for Wales?

How does a hyperactive kid overcome a potentially crippling injury just as his sporting career is about to take off?

How does a robust all-action scrum-half make a choice between two proud rugby nations? And, after tasting success, how does a well-respected and highly talented player deal with the realisation that life on the pitch doesn't last forever?

Rupert Moon's tale has a lot more to it than tries and tackles.

As a youngster he struggled academically, loath to waste time with lessons while there was a ball outside waiting to be kicked.

He came from a family who were passionate about the game of rugby union, and their involvement with the local club at Walsall and its players fired the imagination of a gangly, cumbersome kid.

Away from the mud and glory, Moon explores the side of rugby the fans seldom see.

With a trail of humorous anecdotes, he recalls the drinking sprees, tours, endless training, backstabbing, media exploitation, professionalism, club politics, coaches, comebacks and enduring friendships. This is the story of a man who took his rugby seriously without ever taking himself so.

It is also the story of a unique player whose burgeoning celebrity status threatened to dwarf his many achievements on the field of play.

Told with honesty and candour, and imbued with his infectious love of life, "Full Moon" is a tale for rugby fans, sports fans and fans of eccentrics whoever they may be. And it's only half told because there's no telling what Moony's going to do next - as he says: "I make it up along the way".