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The Beginning of Rugby
At Rugby School in England, during a game of football, William Webb Ellis, took tota disregard for he rules of the game. He took the ball in his arms and ran with it, show casing the distinct feature of the game of rugby. -
Gilbert Rugby Balls
Before Webb Ellis had even picked up the ball and ran with it, a local shoemaker William Gilbert, was supplying Rugby School with balls. These first balls were much larger and rounder than they are today, the insides were made from pig's bladder, covered in leather. Gilbert began working with Richard Lindon. In the 1860s it was Lindon's idea to replace the bladder inner tubes with rubber. He also claimed to design the unique oval shape, but didn't patent the idea. -
Mass Participation
In the early days of rugby, there was no set positions like we have today. This meant anyone could play or join in, this often lead to games where there were over 300 people participating. When fixed numbers were introduced, it was with 17 forwards and 3 full-backs, which developed into teams consisting of 8 forwads and 7 backs. -
First Written Rules
The Head schoolboy and captain of the football team, Isaac Gregory Smith asked three of the senior players to write down the previously unwritten rules, these were then illustrated by another schoolboy, Charles Harcourt Chambers, the first ever images of rugby football. -
Rugby's First Governing Body
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) was formed following a meeting of representatives from 21 clubs. Shortly after this a set of laws were made, laws rather than rules as the three men to devise these laws were all lawyers. -
First International Match
England and Scotland played out the first International game, following this unions began to form in other countries and they began to govern the game. -
Creation of Dungannon RFC
Dungannon have gone onto be one of the most successful clubs in both Ulster and Ireland, with past players having represented Ulster, Ireland and the British and Irish Lions. -
IRFU
In 1874, two unions were formed the Irish Football Union had control over clubs in Leinster, Munster and parts of Ulster; the Northern Football Union of Ireland controlled the Belfast area. The IRFU was formed in 1879 as an amalgamation of these two organisations. -
Globalisation of Rugby
Where ever students of Rugby School went, they brought with them the game of rugby. This led to rugby in Australia and New Zealand. In 1882 an Australian team toured New Zealand, the first ever Rugby Union tour. In 1888 a British team toured New Zealand and Australia. These tours allowed unions to develop a uniform interpretation of the laws. -
Introduction of Referees
In the beginning there were no referees, with captains from both sides setting the rules. In 1885 the RFU stated that: “In all matches, 2 umpires shall be appointed and one referee." In 1892 the referee was made the sole judge of the game. Matches are now officiated by a referee and two touch judges. In recent years a Television Match Official has been introduced to deal with any disputes and help the officials. -
International Governing Body
Following a disagreement over a rule in a game between Scotland and England, the Irish, Scottish and Welsh unions formed the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) to have a unified set of rules -
Scoring
Due to the difficulty of scoring games could last up to 5 days, with an attacking touch-down having no value unless followed by a successful kick, simply it allowed the attacking team to 'try' for goal. This changed when a try was worth 1 point. It has now gone up to 5 points, with a conversion being 2 points. A penalty and drop goal are both worth 3 points. -
Union and League
Rugby was split into two separate sports. This came from an increase in the popularity of the sport, with new clubs in the North of England forming leagues and wanting more control, such as payment to players for loss of earnings. The union wanted to keep its traditional amateur status, leading to the formation of the Northern Rugby Union, formally known as Rugby League from 1922. -
WW1
When war broke out, the RFU suspended all fixtures and encouraged players to enlist. However, rugby was played during the conflict by military divisional teams, enabling countries torn apart by war to bring allies together. -
First World Cup
Held in Australia and New Zealand, named the William Webb Ellis cup, was the ultimate symbol of rugby supremacy. Won by New Zealand, who are now seen as the leaders in terms of world rugby. -
Professionalisation
The IRB announced it would allow unions to enter professional contracts with their players, this was a result of 'shamateurism' the use of under the table payments to star players, making a mockery of the amateur status of the sport. -
First Million Pound Player
There is now talk of who will be the first player to sign a contract worth 1 million pounds, this shows how rugby has developed since the amateur days of 300 players, now to the importance of one or two 'star' players