Rugby union in the British Isles
Rugby union is a popular sport in the British Isles, including England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The game was arguably invented in 1823 by William Webb Ellis, and in 1871 the English Rugby Football Union was the first national rugby football union to be founded. It is organised separately in each of these countries, and also on an all-Ireland basis.
British & Irish Lions vs Māori All Blacks during the 2005 British & Irish Lions tour to New Zealand
Image: Twickenham Stadium May 2012
Image: Murrayfield Autumn 2017
Image: Millennium Stadium RWC2015
Rugby union in England is one of the leading professional and recreational team sports. In 1871 the Rugby Football Union, the governing body for rugby union in England, was formed by 21 rugby clubs, and the first international match, which involved England, was played in Scotland. The England national team compete annually in the Six Nations Championship, and are former world champions after winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The top domestic men's club competition is Premiership Rugby, and English clubs also compete in international competitions such as the European Rugby Champions Cup. The top domestic women's competition is the Premier 15s.
Celebrations in Trafalgar Square after England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
Rugby School
The Last Scrimmage by Edwin Buckman depicting a rugby scrum, as published on The Illustrated London News in 1871
England celebrating their World Cup win in 2003
