He’s well known as the face of the BBC’s rugby coverage in Wales, but now Ross Harries has delivered a fascinating insight into the history of Welsh rugby from behind his typewriter.

This Friday Harries, who presents the now iconic Scrum V programme and also works for BT and Premier Sports channels, will be in the Victoria Bookshop in Haverfordwest to promote ‘Behind the Dragon – playing rugby for Wales’.

The book delves deeply into the archives of Welsh rugby, and doesn’t just focus on the much heralded glory era of the 70’s but also the more difficult times the national side endured, and regales tales of characters who maybe didn’t get the public exposure that modern players do.

And fittingly, it has been released at a time Wales have risen to the top of the World IRB rankings ahead of the 2021 World Cup in Japan.

“The idea came to me almost by accident back in 2016,” Ross told Telegraph Sport.

“I’d written Adam Jones’ autobiography which had been nominated for a Cross Sports Book Award so went to the awards ceremony at Lord’s.

“It didn’t win but the book that did was one called ‘No Borders' playing rugby for Ireland.

“I happened to be chatting with the publisher at the bar and he gave me his card and asked me to give him a ring. I was away for the next five weeks covering the Wales tour to New Zealand, so it wasn't until then that I called him up, and he asked if I'd be interested in writing a Welsh book along the lines of No Borders.

Things progressed rapidly from there, as Ross set about exploring the complete social history of Welsh rugby, admitting he endured “lots of late nights and early mornings” in the process.

“The opportunity was too good to turn down and it was a really enjoyable book to write.

“It's an all-encompassing history that goes all the way back to the inception of the Welsh Rugby Union, so it covers some of the dark days as well as the more celebrated eras we know so much about.

"In fact it was the 80s and 90s, when Wales were really struggling on the pitch, which provided some of the book's richest material. We tend to only document the successful times but some of the best anecdotes and stories came from periods when we were struggling.”

Ross wrapped things up and handed in the final draft shortly before this year’s Six Nations Championship, and sure enough, duly found himself having to go back to work.

“I was celebrating the win over England like everyone else in Wales when I had a text from my publisher just saying ‘we are going to need another chapter’.

“After all the work and meeting the deadline that felt bittersweet but I knew there was no way the book could hit the shelves and not reflect on a recent Grand Slam. So it was mad scramble to get the final chapter done and I grabbed as many players as I could.”

But sure enough the job is now done and the book was officially released in June, and Ross admits he found the face to face interaction with those who contributed refreshing.

“Because of what I do for a living I spend a lot of time in formal press conferences without getting great copy. In front of the cameras people are more cautious and often don’t want to say things that might be blown up in a headline.

“But face to face over a coffee or a beer players tend to be more relaxed. And when you’re talking about things from decades ago they are far more likely to be honest and candid and get stuff off their chest.

“I spoke to a lot of guys who haven’t had the profile or recognition some of their contemporaries have enjoyed and yet were still great players. I was able to track down players I admired as a boy like Mark Ring for example.

“Ringo was as inventive and skilful as so many of our current players but didn’t get the credit for it at time.”

Speaking of timing, it’s fair to say the release of ‘Behind the Dragon – playing rugby for Wales’ has been impeccable.

“It’s come out in the wake of a Grand Slam, with Wales the number one side in the world and a Rugby World Cup on the horizon. At a time when sports fans are normally talking about summer sports like cricket, rugby remains centre stage.”

Ross will be in Victoria Bookshop from 11am on Friday to sign copies of the book, that will be available for the general public to purchase.