Borderlands First XV have their sights set on becoming the best school rugby team in the world. But they have some serious challenges to face along the way. New pupil Woody is a footballer and must decide if he wants to give rugby his all, while Owen finds himself in the spotlight when conflict breaks out within the team. More importantly, many of the players are worried about their parents deployed overseas in the armed forces. With so much to distract them, can they keep their focus on winning and become school rugby champions of Britain, Europe and the world?

"A good book that I really enjoyed reading … I like this because it is very exciting but there is a lot of humour too" – Reader Review, Teen Titles "Written with sensitivity and insight, and illustrated by David Shephard, this book comes packed with drama, suspense, some real-life issues, and all the excitement – and ups and downs – of sporting action and shared team spirit. A brilliant book for rugby fans, adrenaline addicts and reluctant readers…" – Lancashire Evening Post "The dilemmas the characters face are well defined and the reader will be drawn into their decision-making in this pacy story with sport and loyalty at its heart" – Parents in Touch "Palmer is a first class story teller … there’s light and shade in his stories and I thought it was excellent that the ‘baddies’ in these stories aren’t cartoon villains but complex characters in their own right" – The Letterpress Project "Will resonate with anyone who has played a team sport … Skilful storytelling makes Rugby Academy an exciting read, even for non-sports fans, and will appeal to readers with a wide range of interests" – BookTrust