History

As with many sports, rugby’s true origins are up for some level of debate. Rugby football was officially codified at Rugby School in England, but various types of football were being played throughout Europe and beyond. There are accounts of similar games being played as far back as the 12th Century!

In 1845, the first set of written rules was adopted by Rugby School, a public school in Rugby, Warwickshire, England. The sport owes its name to this school where reportedly William Webb Ellis was the first to pick up a football (a soccer ball for us Yanks) and run with it. The oval rugby shape was created not long after. A formal investigation of this could not establish any proof, but no other account has been presented to challenge it.

In 1863, The Football Association (FA) was formed. This represented the formal split between what we now understand as soccer/football and rugby. In football, carrying the ball with your hands is prohibited, as is tackling other players to the ground. Rugby clubs soon formed over the next few decades.

In 1871, the first recognized international rugby match took place between England and Scotland. Scotland came out victorious 12-5. Angus Buchanan holds the honor of scoring the first ever international try. The match came from a cheeky challenge from 5 Scottish captains of various clubs daring any team “selected from the whole of England” to a game. It took place at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh in front of thousands of spectators. England would get their revenge a year later, however.

Rugby continued to grow and evolve over the decades. Teams reduced from 20 to 15, lineouts were removed and then re-added, substitutes were introduced, and it was even played in the olympics! Various domestic leagues and international tournaments grew and in today’s game over 100 nations play.