[imagebrowser id=39]

WITH THE start of the tour less than a month away it should come as no surprise that the new issue of Rugby World is jam-packed with Lions features. Not only do we have a free 36-page guide to the 2013 Lions tour, featuring a travel guide, expert views and the greatest Lions team ever, but there are interviews with four big-name tourists too: captain Sam Warburton, Manu Tuilagi, Stuart Hogg and Cian Healy. We also have an A to Z of the Lions, an interview with hilarious bag man Rala O’Reilly and David Campese letting rip about the Aussies.

There is plenty of non-Lions content too. We find out why rugby is booming in Brazil, pick this season’s best European XV based on stats and tell one man’s cautionary tale about racism in rugby. We also have exclusive photos from Martin Johnson’s return to the rugby pitch. All in all, there’s plenty to keep you entertained as the countdown to the Lions tour begins.

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

Forwards…

30 minutes with Donnacha Ryan

Home nations’ June tours

Celebrating 10 years of Mongolian rugby

Craig Chalmers – The ex-Scotland No 10 shares his favourite tour memories

Gwyn Jones – The former Wales captain on the ongoing Welsh rugby row

Rob Baxter – Why the Exeter coach is so excited to tour with England

Spotlights…

Liam Williams – The Scarlets full-back’s fearless approach has won over fans, says Owain Jones

Nathan Hines – The Clermont lock tells Alan Dymock why he has such an appetite for new challenges

Isa Nacewa – Before he heads home, the Leinster favourite shares his fondest memories with Bea Asprey

Jacques Burger – The Saracens flanker has endured a long road back from injury. Katie Field reports

Centres…

Manu Tuilagi – Discover why the Lions are so special to the England centre

Sam Warburton – The Wales flanker reveals how he recently had to toughen up

Stuart Hogg – Why the Scotland full-back enjoys being a rugby geek

Cian Healy – Ireland’s prop on the off-field abuse that followed his stamp

Pro Insight – Wings Christian Wade and Tom Varndell give their top tips

Rugby Fitness – What to do in the off-season

Pro’s Playbook – England U20 coach Nick Walshe’s try-scoring play

Mini Rugby – How to play Rugby Soccer as well as a guide to the spin pass

Save Your Season – We assess how Kettering have improved during our campaign

David Campese – The outspoken Aussie lays into Robbie Deans and referees

Lions A to Z – Take an alphabetical journey through all things Lions

Rala O’Reilly – The Lions bagman opens up on behind-the-scenes antics as he prepares for his second tour

Picture Special – We snapped legends like Martin Johnson returning to the pitch

Stephen Jones – One player’s cautionary tale about racism in rugby

Dai Young – Wasps, Lions and Barbarians are all on the coach’s agenda

European XV – The best stats-based team in Europe — you may be surprised!

Marland Yarde – Go back to school with the promising London Irish winger

Rugby is booming in Brazil — we went to find out why

Backs…

Club section – All the latest grass-roots news

Schools – Who’s starring at school level?

Essentials – The latest books and products

Uncovered – George Smith on comebacks, culture shocks and clothing

Tour Tale – One reader shares his hilarious story of a close shave on tour

———————————————————————————————————————————————–

Click here to subscribe to Rugby World

You can also download the issue onto your iPad or iPad Mini

Or perhaps you’d like a digital version of the magazine delivered direct to your PC or android device? If so click here.