Rugby History

One of the beliefs is that the origins of the game of rugby go back to a group of Roman soldiers who, after a hard day’s pillaging, relaxed by playing some sort of foot game with a substitute ball.

The first set of rules for the game of Rugby, were written at the Rugby School in the English Midlands in the early 19th Century. They gave some semblance of control to a game that was played and was both rough and violent. The set of rules were a basis for later generations to build upon.

The legend is that William Webb Ellis, a student at Rugby School in 1823 was the first person to pick up a ball in a football game and run with it, rugby style. The Ellis story was penned and published in 1880 by an old Rugbeian, an ardent follower of the faith, who left school three years prior to the Ellis event. Some people argue that this legend was created as a hoax in order to make the Rugby School rules the undisputed, official laws of the game of Rugby.

Whether the legend is true or not, the Rugby World Cup revolves around the ‘William Webb Ellis Trophy’ which is awarded to the winner of the Rugby World Cup Final after each Rugby World Cup Tournament.

One thing that is certain is that the game developed at Rugby School in the English Midlands. There is a plaque set in the school wall admitting to it.
By 1880 eager missionaries had carried the game to the four corners of the earth.

The Rugby Union was formed in 1871. The great followers wrote down 59 commandments of their grand ritual.