White Lines

Shortlisted for the An Post Irish Book Awards 2026

'A phenomenal book. It is going to be the biggest sports book of the year' Tommy Bowe

'White Lines ... might just be the sporting autobiography of the year. It's a gripping read, full of sobering insights into professional rugby and life' The Guardian

'Drips with authenticity and takes "warts and all" to a whole new level' Irish Independent

'This compelling document will surely be on the shortlist for sports biography of the year' RTÉ Guide

From the roar of packed stadiums to the silence of a prison cell, White Lines is the blazing true story of Ryan Caldwell - former Ulster, Ireland and Premiership rugby player - whose fall from grace nearly cost him everything.

Once hailed as a towering enforcer on the pitch, Caldwell lived for the game - until injury cut his career short. Here, he charts the highs, the collisions and the culture of professional rugby, and the spiral into depression and addiction that brought him to the edge of existence.

What follows is a raw, unforgettable journey, into the heart of the Amazon jungle and across the rugged terrain of healing, as Ryan confronts the pain buried beneath his rugby persona and begins to rebuild.

Raw, honest and often shocking, White Lines is a story about rugby, identity and the fight to rise from the wreckage of a career built on brutality and brotherhood. A powerful tale of redemption, resilience and courage.