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The Only Way I Know

The Autobiography

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The Only Way I Know

By: Andy Farrell
Narrated by: Dean Williamson
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About this listen

Brought to you by Penguin.

At the age of 16, a boy amongst men, Andy Farrell made his first-team debut for Wigan Warriors – and became a father for the first time. At 18, he won his first senior international cap. At 21, he won his first Man of Steel Award for the Super League player of the year. He went on to win the Golden Boot award for world player of the year.

All of that on its own would have been enough to make him a sporting legend – and none of it even hinted at the fascinating second chapter of his sporting life, as a rugby union player with Saracens and England, or the third chapter, as a highly successful and beloved union coach. Under his leadership, Ireland have played a brilliant brand of rugby combining precision and freedom, and have been consistently ranked either number 1 or number 2 in the world.

Warm, thoughtful and passionate, Andy Farrell is not just a brilliant rugby man: he is a fascinating human being. His autobiography brings us back to his childhood in Wigan, when he made a meteoric ascent to the highest levels of rugby league; and to the extraordinary moment when, aged 15, he and his girlfriend Colleen – now his wife – learned they were going to have a baby. He writes about his ambitious attempt to remake himself as a rugby union player in his thirties. He writes about his remarkable relationship with his first child, Owen – who has gone on to become a legend of English rugby – and about the importance of family in his life. And he traces the journey that has led to him become one of rugby's most successful coaches, explaining what he has learned about leadership along the way.

© Andy Farrell 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Coaching Management & Leadership Mentoring & Coaching Rugby Sports Biography Leadership

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Critic reviews

A terrific book (Brendan O'Connor)
A likeable book about a likeable man. You’ll enjoy it.
An absorbing insight into the mind of a leader
All stars
Most relevant
It had an easy conversational style which gave a full insight into the challenges and achievements of this talented and dedicated sportsman. He shared vulnerabilities as well as successes and his story is an inspiration to anyone committed to their sport.

An insight into a Rugby legend

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A great listen for any rugby fan, with some real insights in to how hard life can be in the spot light… Only issue was the pace at which it was read, Recommend speeding the play up if you purchase it

Great listen

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Great listen.
Except Haigh Hall is pronounced "Hay" Hall.
Saw Andy running up and down hills there.
Lovely lad.
Stopped listening when he started talking about rugby union

Wigan Legend

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A minor moan. Would’ve been better if Farrell would’ve read it - like I say - a minor moan.

Great listen. Loved the Lions section.

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This is such a personal review, the story was difficult to get into , the narration was staccato and breathy and (probably wasn’t ) a forced northern accent. I’m sure I would have enjoyed it more with a different reader - so I apologise to the narrator, but it’s down to preference . As far as the story goes I found it a little repetitive and cliched , but one good thing was snippets of stories about Owen….. now that’ll be an interesting listen!

Difficult review

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