Rugby DVDs

It will be remembered as one of the great test series in rugby history as the British and Irish Lions came within millimetres of defeating World Champions South Africa on their own turf.

In the land of the big game hunter, this was one that got away just! Three pulsating Test matches of ferocious intensity, compelling and controversial at almost every turn.

Ian McGeechan’s heroic squad were decimated by injuries throughout the tour but still claimed a magnificent final Test win in the Springboks’ Ellis Park fortress.

The first Test in Durban was lost 26-21 despite a stirring late comeback. The Lions had to win in Pretoria and did everything in their power in a brutal but breathtaking collision. Rob Kearney’s early try and Stephen Jones’ faultless kicking carried the tourists to the cusp of a magnificent triumph – only for Lion hearts to be broken in the final seconds by the long range boot of the nerveless Morne Steyn.

Paul O’Connell’s side regrouped and responded emphatically in Johannesburg, thrashing the Boks 26-9, scoring three tries to none. The series was lost but the performance said everything about this pride of Lions. With action from every game of the tour, extended highlights of the first two Tests plus a bonus disc of the extraordinary final Test match in full – this is the Lions in South Africa 2009.

One of the most scintillating players in rugby, the twinkle footed Shane Williams ignites any crowd with an eager thrill of anticipation whenever he has the ball in his hands. With input from Gerald Davies, Gareth Thomas, Max Boyce, Jo Calzhage and rival Bryan Habana, this 90 minute DVD tells Shane’s amazing story from his earliest days at Neath. And you can enjoy again all the most memorable tries captured in this uniquely personal tribute.

The story of the all-conquering Wigan Rugby League team that won an incredible eight Challenge Cup Finals in a row between 1988 and 1995. Featuring highlights of every final and action on the ‘Road to Wembley’, behind the scenes material, rarely seen archive and interviews with the teams star names.

Relive every minute of England s stunning victory against Australia which included one of Twickenham s greatest ever tries. That is what you work for, for days like this MARTIN JOHNSON This was a truly great performance from England who shone from beginning to end in front of over 80,000 Twickenham fans. It was supposed to be a battle royal between England s powerful pack and the mesmerising Australian backs but instead it was the English who showed all the flair, led by their super-impressive scrum-half, Ben Youngs. Chris Ashton scored a brace of tries, including a 90-metre sprint to touch down after England ran the ball from their own tryline. England dominated against their Southern Hemisphere opponents and sealed a 35-18 victory, with fly-half Toby Flood kicking 25 points. England s 35-18 victory over Australia last November will be remembered as the finest performance since the 2003 World Cup Final. Chris Ashton scored one of the greatest tries ever witnessed at Twickenham. Scrum-half Ben Youngs was the inspiration behind much of England s enterprising play as England triumphed over their old adversaries. Fly-half Toby Flood excelled in the absence of Jonny Wilkinson and scored 25 points – a record haul for an Englishman against the Wallabies.

SEASON REVIEW

Expect the unexpected. From the opening weekend excitement of Millennium Magic to the dramatic Grand Final at Old Trafford, Engage Super League XVI was full of shocks and surprises.

In the regular season Warrington and Wigan battled it out for the League Leaders Shield and it went to the Wire. The wonderful Wolves scored over 1000 points on their way to securing top spot for the first time since 1973. The Warriors, led by super Sam Tomkins in scintillating form, pushed them all the way.

Saints, Huddersfield, Leeds and Catalans were never too far behind in the chasing pack. Both Hull clubs enjoyed a top eight finish in a campaign that confirmed the strength in depth throughout Super League, while Castleford Tigers boasted Man of Steel, Rangi Chase, in their ranks.

All topped off by the most unpredictable play-offs ever with Leeds and Saints defying the odds to reach the Grand Final. Relive all the best tries, twists and turns from an incredible campaign. What a season!

GRAND FINAL

It was the greatest ever Grand Final and featured one of its greatest ever tries.

Leeds Rhinos came from 16-8 down to secure a fourth and surely most satisfying Engage Super League title in five years with a scintillating victory over St Helens.

The Rhinos, who became the first team to win the title from fifth place, ran in four tries in the final quarter to turn a fabulous game on its head, condemning Saints to a heartbreaking fifth consecutive final defeat.

Rob Burrow was the hero for Leeds, scoring one dazzling solo try and creating the vital one for Ryan Hall in a man of the match performance that sparked wild celebrations for the Rhinos.

Complete coverage of the 1978 Carnegie Challenge Cup Final between Leeds and St Helens held at Wembley Stadium

Volume two of the series which looks at the highlights from one of the world’s toughest and most physically demanding leagues. The action centres on the teams playing within the Super League, including the ‘big four’ of St Helens, Leeds, Wigan and Bradford, and comes complete with contributions from the players and coaches involved. Ten of the most thrilling encounters from the last ten years of Super League. Featuring the biggest names, incredible drama and sensational action from the greatest game of all.

There was no point in backing Leeds to win this match. The Yorkshire giants featured 14 internationals in their side, and you d have had to stake £9 just to win £1 in return.

However, even the biggest underdogs have their day and Leigh, in their only Wembley appearance to date on 15^th May 1971, surely provided the greatest Challenge Cup Final upset of all time.

Leigh s player coach Alex Murphy, one of the games most colourful and controversial characters, was the game s central figure, scoring two drop goals before being taken from the field on a stretcher after an apparent head butt by Sid Hynes. Murphy, later named man of the match, claimed he couldn t remember collecting either trophy, while Hines became the first man in Wembley history to be shown a red card.

Enjoy the whole of 1971 Challenge Cup Final, including post match celebrations and interviews.

In the very last act of the game Fox lined up a simple conversion attempt that would have claimed the cup for Wakefield against their West Yorkshire rivals. In atrocious conditions, the unthinkable happened, Fox missed, the final hooter sounded, and Leeds celebrated what only seconds earlier had seemed an unlikely triumph.

It was a moment that remains foremost in Rugby League folklore. Fox, a poor lad as BBC commentator Eddie Waring described him, was forced to admit the man of the match award was of little consolation.

Enjoy the whole of 1968 Challenge Cup Final, including post match celebrations.

Black & White

The two teams traded blows until Danny Brough s ultimately decisive drop goal sent Hull more than one score in front. Two tries in three minutes from Mark Calderwood and Marcus Bai enabled the Rhinos to regain the lead, but as time ticked away Paul Cooke dived over allowing Brough to kick the goal that saw Hull edge in front.

It was their first Challenge Cup success in 23 years and a personal triumph for coach, John Kear, who proved lightning can strike twice by repeating his miracle success of seven years earlier with Sheffield.

Enjoy the whole of 2005 Challenge Cup Final, including post match celebrations and interviews.