A former weekly newspaper sports editor has written a new book previewing the forthcoming Rugby World Cup.

Graeme Copas, who spent 21 years on the sportsdesk at the Maidenhead Advertiser, has penned the guide ahead of the tournament in Japan.

Graeme, 53, has teamed up with German publisher Meyer & Meyer Sport for the venture, the explores how the hosts Japan became the first Asian country to stage the Cup and examines.

He has also compiled an in-depth analysis of the 20 nations taking part in the competition, which begins in September.

Graeme, pictured, told the Advertiser: “It was a labour of love for me because I love rugby, but I’ll be the first to admit I didn’t know all the stats and figures from past World Cups.

“The aim was to write something that someone who is new to the sport can read but also doesn’t dumb down too much because you want aficionados of the sport to still get something out of the book.”

The book is the product of four months of research and writing.

Graeme added: “To do it in a journalistic fashion was important for me because other guide books will be based on stats and figures and there will be very little opinion, criticism or debate.

“In my book there’s even a glossary of all the rugby terms or laws so a newcomer to the sport won’t be left behind.”