Scrum queens in The Furious Fannies 

Round & About

We chat to Marlborough writer Chris Page (AKA Quinton Rumford) about his cheeky rugby-inspired book The Furious Fannies 

With women’s rugby front and centre in our minds (see our article with Heather Fisher), it’s the perfect time to scrum down with a bold new novel celebrating women, friendship and a try at glory.  

The Furious Fannies by Quinton Rumford (AKA Chris Page) is the first in a trilogy of funny, heart-warming stories about a group of Wiltshire women who decide to form a rugby union team. This debut instalment introduces a lively cast of characters who, despite barely knowing the difference between a ruck and a maul, share determination, humour, and sisterhood in spades.  

The novel captures the chaos, camaraderie, and sheer joy of throwing yourself into a team sport, while never dropping the ball on real friendships. As Chris explains: “These are humorous, sassy stories written to become bestsellers – and it’s designed to win over both female and male fans of team sports.” 

The Furious Fannies offers an entertaining, fictional counterpart that celebrates the growing enthusiasm for women’s rugby at all levels. However, it’s more than a sports story: it’s about friendship, diversity, and the thrill of taking a few cheeky risks – even if it means getting tackled along the way. 

At 335 pages, the £12.99 paperback is a substantial read, full of quick-fire banter and larger-than-life personalities. An eBook edition is also available, and  Chris adds that there are generous discounts for bulk purchases, making it a fun choice for women’s groups, rugby clubs and book clubs. Chris is even offering free copies to sporting organisations and media outlets keen to get involved. 

Behind the pen name is an author with genuine rugby credentials. A former player and coach, Chris knows the game inside out and brings authenticity to every training scene, bruising tackle and triumphant try. But he also knows how to tell a story. Alongside the sporting action runs a narrative about resilience, empowerment and what it means to find your tribe. Chris says: “In today’s world, women’s sport deserves to be celebrated with energy, humour and heart. That’s what The Furious Fannies is all about.” 

Chris, pictured here with his dog Freddie, is married to Lindy with whom he has two adult children. He adds: “I am drawn to the raw, humorous and sexually challenging but ragged edge of contemporary life where creativity jostles with reality to form unusual narratives and unique characters. If there is one constant in my books it is the outrageous and always blasphemous characters conduct their rackety, sassy and always deeply uninhibited lives.