1883 Home Nations Championship
Encyclopedia
The 1883 Home Nations Championship was the inaugural series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship
. Five matches were played between 16 December 1882 and 3 March 1883. It was contested by England
, Ireland
, Scotland
, and Wales
.
England were the inaugural winners, and in beating the other three nations became the first winners of the Triple Crown
although the phrase was not in use at the time.
, for a dropped goal or for a goal from mark
. If a game was drawn, any unconverted tries were tallied to give a winner. If there was still no clear winner, the match was declared a draw.
(Llandovery College
) capt., Harry Bowen
(Llanelli
), William Norton
(Cardiff
), James Clare
(Cardiff
), Charlie Newman
(Newport), David Gwynn
(Swansea
), Edward Treharne
(Pontypridd
), Thomas Judson
(Llanelli
), Frank Purdon
(Swansea
) Tom Clapp
(Nantyglo
), Bob Gould
(Newport), George Frederick Harding
(Newport), Alfred Cattell
(Llanelli
), Thomas Baker Jones
(Newport), George Morris
(Swansea
)
England: AS Taylor (Blackheath), CG Wade
(Oxford University
), Arthur Evanson
(Oxford University
), WN Bolton
(Blackheath), A Rotherham
(Oxford University
), JH Payne
(Broughton
), RS Kindersley (Oxford University
), CS Wooldridge (Oxford University
), Harry Vassall
(Oxford University
), Herbert Fuller
(Cambridge University
), G Standing (Blackheath), WM Tatham (Oxford University
), RSF Henderson (Blackheath), GT Thomson
(Halifax
), ET Gurdon
(Richmond
) capt.
England started off their winning campaign by beating the newest of the home nations, Wales. This was the second meeting between the two countries and the very first rugby union international hosted on Welsh soil. The match is also recognised as the first match where brothers of former international were also capped; England's Arthur Evanson
and Arthur Taylor, brothers of Wyndham Evanson and Henry Taylor
. Another first was referee A Herbert, the very first Welshman to officiate an international rugby union match.
After the humiliation of the first meeting between the two sides, when Wales lost by a margin of 13 tries, this game was seen as a vast improvement in play. The 'competent' Welsh team were undone by Australia
n Oxford scholar Gregory Wade
, whose wing play the Welsh team had difficulty stopping.
----
), Bill Maclagan
(London Scottish
), DJ Macfarlan (London Scottish
), WS Brown (Edinburgh Inst FP), Andrew Ramsay Don Wauchope (Fettesian-Lorettonians
), A Walker
(West of Scotland), T Ainslie
(Edinburgh Inst FP), JB Brown (Glasgow Acads
), J Jamieson (West of Scotland), DY Cassels (West of Scotland) capt., JG Mowat (Glasgow Acads
), C Reid
(Edinburgh Acads), D. Somerville
(Edinburgh Inst FP), JG Walker
(West of Scotland), WA Walls (Glasgow Acads
)
Wales: Charles Lewis
(Llandovery College
) capt., William Norton
(Cardiff
), Bill Evans
(Rhymney
), Charlie Newman
(Newport), George Frederick Harding
(Newport), John Arthur Jones
(Cardiff
), John Griffin
(Edinburgh University
), Thomas Judson
(Llanelli
), Frank Purdon
(Swansea
) Tom Clapp
(Nantyglo
), Bob Gould
(Newport), Alfred Cattell
(Llanelli
), Thomas Baker Jones
(Newport), George Morris
(Swansea
), Horace Lyne
(Newport)
This was the very first time the home nations of Scotland and Wales had faced each other in a rugby union game. Wales lost this opening game, and it would take another six attempts for the Welsh to be victorious over the Scots.
Wales turned up for the game one man short, so were forced to draft in Dr. A. Griffin of Edinburgh University as a replacement forward. The match also saw two Championship firsts; the first siblings to play in a Championship match AJ Walker and JG Walker, and also the first player to leave the field of play due to injury, when JG Walker twisted his knee in the first 15 minutes. This game also saw the last international match of the season for A.R. Don 'Bunny' Wauchope, when the talismanic Scot was incapacitated by a knee injury.
----
(Oxford University
), Arthur Evanson
(Oxford University
), WN Bolton
(Blackheath), HT Twynam
(Richmond
), JH Payne
(Broughton
), EJ Moore (Oxford University
), CS Woolridge (Oxford University
), BB Middleton (Birkenhead Park), Herbert Fuller
(Cambridge University
), G Standing (Blackheath), WM Tatham (Oxford University
), RM Pattisson (Cambridge University
), GT Thomson
(Halifax
), ET Gurdon
(Richmond
) capt.
Ireland: JWR Morrow (Queen's College, Belfast
), RE McLean (NIFC
), RH Scovell (Dublin University
), WW Fletcher (Kingstown), JP Warren (Kingstown), A Millar (Kingstown), SAM Bruce (NIFC
), AJ Forrest (Wanderers), JW Taylor (NIFC
), DF Moore (Wanderers), H King (Dublin University
), JA McDonald (Methodist College, Belfast), RW Hughes (NIFC
), FS Heuston (Kingstown), G Scriven (Dublin University
) capt.
Although the first meeting in the Championship between the countries, this was the ninth time Ireland and England had faced each other in an international rugby union game; and the ninth failure by the Irish to beat England. Wade
was again the standout player for the English. However, Ireland played most of the game with 14 men, after R.W. Hughes withdrew after suffering terrible sea-sickness on the notoriously rough voyage across the Irish Sea
. For Ireland four players were 'one cap' internationals, Fletcher, Warren, Forrest and Millar.
----
), RE McLean (NIFC
), WW Pike (Kingstown), AM Whitestone (Dublin University
), SR Collier (Queen's College, Belfast
), WA Wallis (Wanderers), SAM Bruce (NIFC
), R Nelson (Queen's College, Belfast
), JW Taylor (NIFC
), DF Moore (Wanderers), H King (Dublin University
), JA McDonald (Methodist College, Belfast), RW Hughes (NIFC
), FS Heuston (Kingstown), G Scriven (Dublin University
) capt.
Scotland: JP Veitch (Royal HSFP), Bill Maclagan
(London Scottish), MF Reid (Loretto
), GR Aitchison (Edinburgh Wanderers), PW Smeaton (Edinburgh Acads.), A Walker
(West of Scotland), Thomas Ainslie
(Edinburgh Inst FP), JB Brown (Glasgow Acads
), J Jamieson (West of Scotland), DY Cassels (West of Scotland) capt., WA Peterkin (Edinburgh Uni.
), C Reid
(Edinburgh Acads), D. Somerville
(Edinburgh Inst FP), D McCowan (West of Scotland), WA Walls (Glasgow Acads
)
The first meeting between the two countries in the Home Nations Championship was played on a heavily waterlogged
pitch at North of Ireland's
Ormeau Road. The Irish team suffered badly in the conditions and at one point were playing with just ten men due to injuries. Heavy Irish defending was the only reason the score line remained so close.
Scotland continued their practice of capping promising schoolboys with the inclusion of Marshall Reid, an 18 year-old form Loretto School.
----
), Bill Maclagan
(London Scottish), MF Reid (Loretto
), WS Brown (Edinburgh Inst FP), PW Smeaton (Edinburgh Acads.), A Walker
(West of Scotland), T Ainslie
(Edinburgh Inst FP), JB Brown (Glasgow Acads
), J Jamieson (West of Scotland), DY Cassels (West of Scotland) capt., JG Mowat (Glasgow Acads
), C Reid
(Edinburgh Acads), D. Somerville
(Edinburgh Inst FP), D McCowan (West of Scotland), WA Walls (Glasgow Acads
)
England: HB Tristram
(Oxford University
), CG Wade
(Oxford University
), Arthur Evanson
(Oxford University
), WN Bolton
(Blackheath), A Rotherham
(Oxford University
), JH Payne
(Broughton
), EJ Moore (Oxford University
), CS Wooldridge (Oxford University
), RSF Henderson (Blackheath), Herbert Fuller
(Cambridge University
), Charles Gurdon
(Richmond
), WM Tatham (Oxford University
), RM Pattisson (Cambridge University
), GT Thomson
(Halifax
), ET Gurdon
(Richmond
) capt.
With both England and Scotland victorious in their first two matches, this encounter became the Championship decider. England used six backs, to Scotland's five, and the tactic was successful with a narrow English win. The scoring of one of the English tries was greeted with derision by sections of the Edinburgh crowd, which was deplored by the President of the SRU
at the after-game dinner.
Six Nations Championship
The Six Nations Championship is an annual international rugby union competition involving six European sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales....
. Five matches were played between 16 December 1882 and 3 March 1883. It was contested by England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
, Ireland
Ireland national rugby union team
The Ireland national rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in rugby union. The team competes annually in the Six Nations Championship and every four years in the Rugby World Cup, where they reached the quarter-final stage in all but two competitions The Ireland national rugby union...
, Scotland
Scotland national rugby union team
The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international rugby union. Rugby union in Scotland is administered by the Scottish Rugby Union. The Scotland rugby union team is currently ranked eighth in the IRB World Rankings as of 19 September 2011...
, and Wales
Wales national rugby union team
The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international rugby union tournaments. They compete annually in the Six Nations Championship with England, France, Ireland, Italy and Scotland. Wales have won the Six Nations and its predecessors 24 times outright, second only to England with...
.
England were the inaugural winners, and in beating the other three nations became the first winners of the Triple Crown
Triple Crown (Rugby Union)
In rugby union, the Triple Crown is an honour contested annually by the four national teams of the British Isles who compete within the larger Six Nations Championship: England, Scotland, Ireland, and Wales. If any one team manages to win all their games against the other three they win the...
although the phrase was not in use at the time.
Table
| Position | Nation | Games | Points | Table points |
|||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | For | Against | Difference | |||
| 1 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0 | 6 | ||
| 2 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 4 | 1 | 4 | ||
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 2 | −2 | 0 | |
| 3 | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 1 | 5 | −4 | 0 | |
Results
Scoring system
The matches for this season were decided on goals scored. A goal was awarded for a successful conversion after a tryTry
A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
, for a dropped goal or for a goal from mark
Goal from mark
A goal from mark is a former scoring move in rugby football. It occurred when a player "marked" the ball by making a fair catch and shouting "mark". From this position the player could not be tackled. The player then had the option of a free kick, which can be taken as a place, drop, or tap kick...
. If a game was drawn, any unconverted tries were tallied to give a winner. If there was still no clear winner, the match was declared a draw.
Wales vs. England
Wales: Charles LewisCharles Lewis (rugby player)
Charles Prytherch Lewis was a Welsh international rugby union player, who won five caps between 1882 and 1884.-Life:...
(Llandovery College
Llandovery College
Llandovery College is an independent school in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It was founded and endowed by Thomas Phillips in 1847 to provide a classical and liberal education in which the Welsh language; the study of Welsh literature and history were also to be cultivated.Llandovery...
) capt., Harry Bowen
Harry Bowen
David Henry "Harry" Bowen was a Welsh international rugby union player who played club rugby for Llanelli and international rugby for Wales...
(Llanelli
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
), William Norton
William Norton (rugby player)
William Barron Norton was a Welsh international rugby union three-quarter who played club rugby for Cardiff Rugby Football Club and international rugby for Wales. He was awarded six caps for Wales.- Rugby career :...
(Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
), James Clare
James Clare
James Arthue Clare was an English-born international rugby union three-quarter who played club rugby for Cardiff Rugby Football Club and international rugby for Wales...
(Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
), Charlie Newman
Charlie Newman
Charlie Newman was a Welsh international three-quarter who played club rugby for Newport. He was awarded ten caps for Wales and captained the team on six occasions. An original member of the Newport squad he captained the team in the 1882/83 season.-Personal life:Newman was born Newport in 1857 to...
(Newport), David Gwynn
David Gwynn
David 'Dai' Gwynn was a Welsh international rugby union wing who played club rugby for Swansea and county rugby for Lancashire...
(Swansea
Swansea RFC
Swansea Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. Its home ground is St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground in Swansea. The team is sometimes known as The Whites because of the primary colour of the team strip...
), Edward Treharne
Edward Treharne
Edward Llewellyn Treharne was a Welsh rugby union forward who played club rugby for Pontypridd and Cardiff, and international rugby for Wales. He is most notable for being a member of the first Wales international team that played England in 1881...
(Pontypridd
Pontypridd RFC
Pontypridd Rugby Football Club, known as Ponty, are a rugby union team from Pontypridd, Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales, currently playing in the British and Irish Cup, Principality Premiership, and are the current SWALEC Cup champions....
), Thomas Judson
Thomas Judson
Thomas Haigh Judson was an English-born international rugby union player who played club rugby for Llanelli and international rugby for Wales...
(Llanelli
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
), Frank Purdon
Frank Purdon
Frank Thomas Purdon was an Irish-born rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport and Swansea. Purdon was capped four times for Wales including the very first Wales international, against England in 1881.-Rugby career:...
(Swansea
Swansea RFC
Swansea Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. Its home ground is St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground in Swansea. The team is sometimes known as The Whites because of the primary colour of the team strip...
) Tom Clapp
Tom Clapp
Tom Clapp was an English-born international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport and Nantyglo RFC. He won 14 caps for Wales and captained the team on three occasions...
(Nantyglo
Nantyglo RFC
Nantyglo Rugby Football Club is a rugby union, from Nantyglo Wales. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons.....
), Bob Gould
Bob Gould (rugby player)
Bob Gould was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport Rugby Football Club. He won 11 caps for Wales and captained them for one match...
(Newport), George Frederick Harding
George Frederick Harding
George Frederick Harding JP was an English-born international rugby union player who played club rugby for Newport and international rugby for Wales. Harding was a member of the very first Wales international team that faced England in 1881.-Rugby career:Harding first played rugby for Newport in...
(Newport), Alfred Cattell
Alfred Cattell
Alfred Cattell was an English-born international rugby union player for Wales who in his later life became Lord Mayor of Sheffield...
(Llanelli
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
), Thomas Baker Jones
Thomas Baker Jones
Thomas Baker Jones was a Welsh international rugby union player who played club rugby union for Newport. Jones was capped six times for Wales and was the first player to score recognised international points for the national team....
(Newport), George Morris
George Lockwood Morris
Sir George Lockwood Morris, 8th Baronet was a Welsh industrialist and iron founder. As a youth he was also notable as an international rugby union forward who won five caps for Wales...
(Swansea
Swansea RFC
Swansea Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. Its home ground is St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground in Swansea. The team is sometimes known as The Whites because of the primary colour of the team strip...
)
England: AS Taylor (Blackheath), CG Wade
Charles Wade
Sir Charles Gregory Wade KCMG was Premier of New South Wales 2 October 1907 – 21 October 1910. According to Percival Serle, "Wade was a public-spirited man of high character...
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), Arthur Evanson
Arthur Evanson
Arthur McDonnell Evanson was a Welsh born rugby union player who won four caps between 1882 and 1884 for the England national rugby union team.-Life:...
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), WN Bolton
Wilfred Bolton
Wilfred Bolton was a rugby union international who represented England from 1882 to 1887.-Rugby union career:Bolton made his international debut on Feb 6, 1882 at Lansdowne Road in the Ireland vs England match....
(Blackheath), A Rotherham
Alan Rotherham
Alan Rotherham was a rugby union international who represented England from 1882 to 1887. He also captained his country. Rotherham is best known for his part in revolutionising half-back play in rugby union, being the first player to demonstrate how a half-back could be the connecting link between...
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), JH Payne
John Payne (rugby)
John H. Payne was an English rugby union footballer of the 1880s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Broughton Rangers, playing at Half-back, e.g. Fly-half, or Scrum-half...
(Broughton
Broughton Rangers
Broughton Rangers was a British rugby football, and subsequently a rugby league club. It was based in Broughton, Salford.-History:Broughton Rangers was founded in 1877 as Broughton and added Rangers for its second season...
), RS Kindersley (Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), CS Wooldridge (Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), Harry Vassall
Harry Vassall
Henry Vassall was an English rugby union player, best known as a centre for Oxford University. Vassall played international rugby for England in the early years of the sport, winning five caps and scoring a hat-trick of tries in the first encounter between England and Wales.While at Oxford...
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), Herbert Fuller
Herbert Fuller
Herbert George Fuller was an English born rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and won four international caps for the England national rugby union team between 1882 and 1884.-Early life:...
(Cambridge University
Cambridge University R.U.F.C.
The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
), G Standing (Blackheath), WM Tatham (Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), RSF Henderson (Blackheath), GT Thomson
George Thomson (rugby)
George Thomas Thomson was a rugby union footballer of the 1870s and '80s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Halifax, playing in the Forwards, e.g. Front row, Lock, or Back row...
(Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
), ET Gurdon
Edward Temple Gurdon
Edward Temple Gurdon, often known as Temple Gurdon, was a rugby union international who represented England from 1878 to 1886. He also captained his country.-Early life:Temple Gurdon was born on January 25, 1854 in Barnham Broom, Norfolk...
(Richmond
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
) capt.
England started off their winning campaign by beating the newest of the home nations, Wales. This was the second meeting between the two countries and the very first rugby union international hosted on Welsh soil. The match is also recognised as the first match where brothers of former international were also capped; England's Arthur Evanson
Arthur Evanson
Arthur McDonnell Evanson was a Welsh born rugby union player who won four caps between 1882 and 1884 for the England national rugby union team.-Life:...
and Arthur Taylor, brothers of Wyndham Evanson and Henry Taylor
Henry Taylor (rugby union)
Henry Taylor was a rugby union international who represented England from 1879 to 1882.-Early life:Henry Taylor was born on September 21, 1858 in Greenwich. He attended Merchant Taylors' School.-Rugby union career:...
. Another first was referee A Herbert, the very first Welshman to officiate an international rugby union match.
After the humiliation of the first meeting between the two sides, when Wales lost by a margin of 13 tries, this game was seen as a vast improvement in play. The 'competent' Welsh team were undone by Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n Oxford scholar Gregory Wade
Charles Wade
Sir Charles Gregory Wade KCMG was Premier of New South Wales 2 October 1907 – 21 October 1910. According to Percival Serle, "Wade was a public-spirited man of high character...
, whose wing play the Welsh team had difficulty stopping.
----
Scotland vs. Wales
Scotland: DW Kidston (Glasgow AcadsGlasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
), Bill Maclagan
Bill Maclagan
William Edward "Bill" Maclagan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for London Scottish F.C....
(London Scottish
London Scottish F.C.
London Scottish Football Club is a rugby union club in England. It is a member of both the Rugby Football Union and the Scottish Rugby Union.-History:...
), DJ Macfarlan (London Scottish
London Scottish F.C.
London Scottish Football Club is a rugby union club in England. It is a member of both the Rugby Football Union and the Scottish Rugby Union.-History:...
), WS Brown (Edinburgh Inst FP), Andrew Ramsay Don Wauchope (Fettesian-Lorettonians
Fettesian-Lorettonian Club
The Fettesian-Lorettonians Club is a Scottish sporting club made up of former pupils of Fettes College and Loretto School. The club was founded in 1881 and has seen members of its club represent the Scotland national rugby union team.-Club history:...
), A Walker
Archibald Walker
Archibald Walker was a Scottish rugby football player.He was capped five times for between 1881–1883. He also played for West of Scotland FC.He was the brother of James Walker who was also capped for Scotland.-References:...
(West of Scotland), T Ainslie
Thomas Ainslie
Thomas Ainslie was a Scottish rugby football player.He was capped eleven times for between 1881-85. He also played for Edinburgh Institute FP/Edinburgh Institution FP.He was the brother of Robert Ainslie who was also capped for Scotland.-References:...
(Edinburgh Inst FP), JB Brown (Glasgow Acads
Glasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
), J Jamieson (West of Scotland), DY Cassels (West of Scotland) capt., JG Mowat (Glasgow Acads
Glasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
), C Reid
Charles Reid
Charles Reid, nicknamed Hippo, was a Scottish international rugby players. He was capped twenty times for between 1881-88. Reid vies with Ninian Finlay for the title of the youngest player ever to be capped for - he was seventeen years and thirty six days old when he was capped against on 19...
(Edinburgh Acads), D. Somerville
D. Somerville
D. Somerville was a Scottish rugby union player of the late nineteenth century.He was capped six times for between 1879-84 including the 1883 Home Nations Championship....
(Edinburgh Inst FP), JG Walker
James Walker (rugby)
James George Walker , was a Scottish rugby football player, and cricket player.Walker was born in Tradeston, Glasgow. He was capped twice for between 1882-83...
(West of Scotland), WA Walls (Glasgow Acads
Glasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
)
Wales: Charles Lewis
Charles Lewis (rugby player)
Charles Prytherch Lewis was a Welsh international rugby union player, who won five caps between 1882 and 1884.-Life:...
(Llandovery College
Llandovery College
Llandovery College is an independent school in Llandovery, Carmarthenshire, Wales. It was founded and endowed by Thomas Phillips in 1847 to provide a classical and liberal education in which the Welsh language; the study of Welsh literature and history were also to be cultivated.Llandovery...
) capt., William Norton
William Norton (rugby player)
William Barron Norton was a Welsh international rugby union three-quarter who played club rugby for Cardiff Rugby Football Club and international rugby for Wales. He was awarded six caps for Wales.- Rugby career :...
(Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
), Bill Evans
Bill Evans (rugby player)
William Frederick Evans was a Welsh international rugby union player, who won two caps for Wales in 1882 and 1883.-Rugby career:Evans was born in Rhymney, Monmouthshire...
(Rhymney
Rhymney RFC
Rhymney Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club based in Rhymney in Wales. The Senior team presently play in the Welsh Rugby Union Division Three East league. Rhymney is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons.Rugby union was first played in...
), Charlie Newman
Charlie Newman
Charlie Newman was a Welsh international three-quarter who played club rugby for Newport. He was awarded ten caps for Wales and captained the team on six occasions. An original member of the Newport squad he captained the team in the 1882/83 season.-Personal life:Newman was born Newport in 1857 to...
(Newport), George Frederick Harding
George Frederick Harding
George Frederick Harding JP was an English-born international rugby union player who played club rugby for Newport and international rugby for Wales. Harding was a member of the very first Wales international team that faced England in 1881.-Rugby career:Harding first played rugby for Newport in...
(Newport), John Arthur Jones
John Arthur Jones
John 'Arthur' Jones was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cardiff Rugby Football Club and international rugby for Wales. He was awarded just a single cap for Wales.-Personal life:...
(Cardiff
Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Rugby Football Club is a rugby union football club based in Cardiff, the capital city of Wales. The club was founded in 1876 and played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park where they have been based ever since...
), John Griffin
John Griffin (rugby player)
John Griffin was an English doctor who became an international rugby union forward for Wales despite having no connections to the country.-Personal background:...
(Edinburgh University
Edinburgh University RFC
Edinburgh University Rugby Football Club is a leading rugby union side based in Edinburgh, Scotland which currently plays its fixtures in the top Scottish National League and the British Universities Premiership. It is one of the eight founder members of the Scottish Rugby Union...
), Thomas Judson
Thomas Judson
Thomas Haigh Judson was an English-born international rugby union player who played club rugby for Llanelli and international rugby for Wales...
(Llanelli
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
), Frank Purdon
Frank Purdon
Frank Thomas Purdon was an Irish-born rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport and Swansea. Purdon was capped four times for Wales including the very first Wales international, against England in 1881.-Rugby career:...
(Swansea
Swansea RFC
Swansea Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. Its home ground is St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground in Swansea. The team is sometimes known as The Whites because of the primary colour of the team strip...
) Tom Clapp
Tom Clapp
Tom Clapp was an English-born international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport and Nantyglo RFC. He won 14 caps for Wales and captained the team on three occasions...
(Nantyglo
Nantyglo RFC
Nantyglo Rugby Football Club is a rugby union, from Nantyglo Wales. The club is a member of the Welsh Rugby Union and is a feeder club for the Newport Gwent Dragons.....
), Bob Gould
Bob Gould (rugby player)
Bob Gould was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport Rugby Football Club. He won 11 caps for Wales and captained them for one match...
(Newport), Alfred Cattell
Alfred Cattell
Alfred Cattell was an English-born international rugby union player for Wales who in his later life became Lord Mayor of Sheffield...
(Llanelli
Llanelli RFC
Llanelli Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union club founded in 1875 and its senior team is one of the leading club sides in Wales. The club began the 2008-09 season at their historic home ground of Stradey Park in Llanelli, but moved in November 2008 to the new Parc y Scarlets in adjacent...
), Thomas Baker Jones
Thomas Baker Jones
Thomas Baker Jones was a Welsh international rugby union player who played club rugby union for Newport. Jones was capped six times for Wales and was the first player to score recognised international points for the national team....
(Newport), George Morris
George Lockwood Morris
Sir George Lockwood Morris, 8th Baronet was a Welsh industrialist and iron founder. As a youth he was also notable as an international rugby union forward who won five caps for Wales...
(Swansea
Swansea RFC
Swansea Rugby Football Club is a Welsh rugby union team which plays in the Welsh Premier Division. Its home ground is St Helens Rugby and Cricket Ground in Swansea. The team is sometimes known as The Whites because of the primary colour of the team strip...
), Horace Lyne
Horace Lyne
Horace Sampson Lyne MBE was a Welsh international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport Rugby Football Club. He won five caps for Wales and after retiring from playing rugby became the longest serving president of the Welsh Rugby Union...
(Newport)
This was the very first time the home nations of Scotland and Wales had faced each other in a rugby union game. Wales lost this opening game, and it would take another six attempts for the Welsh to be victorious over the Scots.
Wales turned up for the game one man short, so were forced to draft in Dr. A. Griffin of Edinburgh University as a replacement forward. The match also saw two Championship firsts; the first siblings to play in a Championship match AJ Walker and JG Walker, and also the first player to leave the field of play due to injury, when JG Walker twisted his knee in the first 15 minutes. This game also saw the last international match of the season for A.R. Don 'Bunny' Wauchope, when the talismanic Scot was incapacitated by a knee injury.
----
England vs. Ireland
England: AS Taylor (Blackheath), CG WadeCharles Wade
Sir Charles Gregory Wade KCMG was Premier of New South Wales 2 October 1907 – 21 October 1910. According to Percival Serle, "Wade was a public-spirited man of high character...
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), Arthur Evanson
Arthur Evanson
Arthur McDonnell Evanson was a Welsh born rugby union player who won four caps between 1882 and 1884 for the England national rugby union team.-Life:...
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), WN Bolton
Wilfred Bolton
Wilfred Bolton was a rugby union international who represented England from 1882 to 1887.-Rugby union career:Bolton made his international debut on Feb 6, 1882 at Lansdowne Road in the Ireland vs England match....
(Blackheath), HT Twynam
Henry Twynam (rugby union)
Henry Twynam was a rugby union international who represented England from 1879 to 1884.-Rugby union career:Twynam made his international debut on 24 March 1879 at The Oval in the England vs Ireland match. Of the 8 matches he played for his national side he was on the winning side on 7 occasions....
(Richmond
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
), JH Payne
John Payne (rugby)
John H. Payne was an English rugby union footballer of the 1880s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Broughton Rangers, playing at Half-back, e.g. Fly-half, or Scrum-half...
(Broughton
Broughton Rangers
Broughton Rangers was a British rugby football, and subsequently a rugby league club. It was based in Broughton, Salford.-History:Broughton Rangers was founded in 1877 as Broughton and added Rangers for its second season...
), EJ Moore (Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), CS Woolridge (Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), BB Middleton (Birkenhead Park), Herbert Fuller
Herbert Fuller
Herbert George Fuller was an English born rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and won four international caps for the England national rugby union team between 1882 and 1884.-Early life:...
(Cambridge University
Cambridge University R.U.F.C.
The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
), G Standing (Blackheath), WM Tatham (Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), RM Pattisson (Cambridge University
Cambridge University R.U.F.C.
The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
), GT Thomson
George Thomson (rugby)
George Thomas Thomson was a rugby union footballer of the 1870s and '80s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Halifax, playing in the Forwards, e.g. Front row, Lock, or Back row...
(Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
), ET Gurdon
Edward Temple Gurdon
Edward Temple Gurdon, often known as Temple Gurdon, was a rugby union international who represented England from 1878 to 1886. He also captained his country.-Early life:Temple Gurdon was born on January 25, 1854 in Barnham Broom, Norfolk...
(Richmond
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
) capt.
Ireland: JWR Morrow (Queen's College, Belfast
Queen's University RFC
Queen's University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union team of Queen's University Belfast. Founded in 1869, it is the second oldest rugby union club in Northern Ireland . They originally played as Queen's College, Belfast and have won the Ulster Senior Cup a record 21 times...
), RE McLean (NIFC
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were formed earlier anywhere else in all Ireland . It was...
), RH Scovell (Dublin University
Dublin University Football Club
Dublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
), WW Fletcher (Kingstown), JP Warren (Kingstown), A Millar (Kingstown), SAM Bruce (NIFC
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were formed earlier anywhere else in all Ireland . It was...
), AJ Forrest (Wanderers), JW Taylor (NIFC
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were formed earlier anywhere else in all Ireland . It was...
), DF Moore (Wanderers), H King (Dublin University
Dublin University Football Club
Dublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
), JA McDonald (Methodist College, Belfast), RW Hughes (NIFC
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were formed earlier anywhere else in all Ireland . It was...
), FS Heuston (Kingstown), G Scriven (Dublin University
Dublin University Football Club
Dublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
) capt.
Although the first meeting in the Championship between the countries, this was the ninth time Ireland and England had faced each other in an international rugby union game; and the ninth failure by the Irish to beat England. Wade
Charles Wade
Sir Charles Gregory Wade KCMG was Premier of New South Wales 2 October 1907 – 21 October 1910. According to Percival Serle, "Wade was a public-spirited man of high character...
was again the standout player for the English. However, Ireland played most of the game with 14 men, after R.W. Hughes withdrew after suffering terrible sea-sickness on the notoriously rough voyage across the Irish Sea
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is connected to the Celtic Sea in the south by St George's Channel, and to the Atlantic Ocean in the north by the North Channel. Anglesey is the largest island within the Irish Sea, followed by the Isle of Man...
. For Ireland four players were 'one cap' internationals, Fletcher, Warren, Forrest and Millar.
----
Ireland vs. Scotland
Ireland: JWR Morrow (Queen's College, BelfastQueen's University RFC
Queen's University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union team of Queen's University Belfast. Founded in 1869, it is the second oldest rugby union club in Northern Ireland . They originally played as Queen's College, Belfast and have won the Ulster Senior Cup a record 21 times...
), RE McLean (NIFC
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were formed earlier anywhere else in all Ireland . It was...
), WW Pike (Kingstown), AM Whitestone (Dublin University
Dublin University Football Club
Dublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
), SR Collier (Queen's College, Belfast
Queen's University RFC
Queen's University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union team of Queen's University Belfast. Founded in 1869, it is the second oldest rugby union club in Northern Ireland . They originally played as Queen's College, Belfast and have won the Ulster Senior Cup a record 21 times...
), WA Wallis (Wanderers), SAM Bruce (NIFC
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were formed earlier anywhere else in all Ireland . It was...
), R Nelson (Queen's College, Belfast
Queen's University RFC
Queen's University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union team of Queen's University Belfast. Founded in 1869, it is the second oldest rugby union club in Northern Ireland . They originally played as Queen's College, Belfast and have won the Ulster Senior Cup a record 21 times...
), JW Taylor (NIFC
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were formed earlier anywhere else in all Ireland . It was...
), DF Moore (Wanderers), H King (Dublin University
Dublin University Football Club
Dublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
), JA McDonald (Methodist College, Belfast), RW Hughes (NIFC
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were formed earlier anywhere else in all Ireland . It was...
), FS Heuston (Kingstown), G Scriven (Dublin University
Dublin University Football Club
Dublin University Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Dublin, Trinity College, in Dublin, Ireland.-History:...
) capt.
Scotland: JP Veitch (Royal HSFP), Bill Maclagan
Bill Maclagan
William Edward "Bill" Maclagan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for London Scottish F.C....
(London Scottish), MF Reid (Loretto
Loretto School
Loretto School is an independent school in Scotland, founded in 1827. The campus occupies in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh.-History:Loretto was founded by the Reverend Thomas Langhorne in 1827. Langhorne came from Crosby Ravensworth, near Kirkby Stephen. The school was later taken over by his son,...
), GR Aitchison (Edinburgh Wanderers), PW Smeaton (Edinburgh Acads.), A Walker
Archibald Walker
Archibald Walker was a Scottish rugby football player.He was capped five times for between 1881–1883. He also played for West of Scotland FC.He was the brother of James Walker who was also capped for Scotland.-References:...
(West of Scotland), Thomas Ainslie
Thomas Ainslie
Thomas Ainslie was a Scottish rugby football player.He was capped eleven times for between 1881-85. He also played for Edinburgh Institute FP/Edinburgh Institution FP.He was the brother of Robert Ainslie who was also capped for Scotland.-References:...
(Edinburgh Inst FP), JB Brown (Glasgow Acads
Glasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
), J Jamieson (West of Scotland), DY Cassels (West of Scotland) capt., WA Peterkin (Edinburgh Uni.
Edinburgh University RFC
Edinburgh University Rugby Football Club is a leading rugby union side based in Edinburgh, Scotland which currently plays its fixtures in the top Scottish National League and the British Universities Premiership. It is one of the eight founder members of the Scottish Rugby Union...
), C Reid
Charles Reid
Charles Reid, nicknamed Hippo, was a Scottish international rugby players. He was capped twenty times for between 1881-88. Reid vies with Ninian Finlay for the title of the youngest player ever to be capped for - he was seventeen years and thirty six days old when he was capped against on 19...
(Edinburgh Acads), D. Somerville
D. Somerville
D. Somerville was a Scottish rugby union player of the late nineteenth century.He was capped six times for between 1879-84 including the 1883 Home Nations Championship....
(Edinburgh Inst FP), D McCowan (West of Scotland), WA Walls (Glasgow Acads
Glasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
)
The first meeting between the two countries in the Home Nations Championship was played on a heavily waterlogged
Waterlogging (agriculture)
Waterlogging refers to the saturation of soil with water. Soil may be regarded as waterlogged when the water table of the groundwater is too high to conveniently permit an anticipated activity, like agriculture....
pitch at North of Ireland's
North of Ireland FC
North of Ireland Football Club is a former Irish rugby union club that was based in Belfast, Northern Ireland. It was the first rugby club formed in what is now Northern Ireland and only two other clubs - Dublin University and Wanderers - were formed earlier anywhere else in all Ireland . It was...
Ormeau Road. The Irish team suffered badly in the conditions and at one point were playing with just ten men due to injuries. Heavy Irish defending was the only reason the score line remained so close.
Scotland continued their practice of capping promising schoolboys with the inclusion of Marshall Reid, an 18 year-old form Loretto School.
----
Scotland vs. England
Scotland: DW Kidston (Glasgow AcadsGlasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
), Bill Maclagan
Bill Maclagan
William Edward "Bill" Maclagan was a Scottish international rugby union forward who played club rugby for London Scottish F.C....
(London Scottish), MF Reid (Loretto
Loretto School
Loretto School is an independent school in Scotland, founded in 1827. The campus occupies in Musselburgh, near Edinburgh.-History:Loretto was founded by the Reverend Thomas Langhorne in 1827. Langhorne came from Crosby Ravensworth, near Kirkby Stephen. The school was later taken over by his son,...
), WS Brown (Edinburgh Inst FP), PW Smeaton (Edinburgh Acads.), A Walker
Archibald Walker
Archibald Walker was a Scottish rugby football player.He was capped five times for between 1881–1883. He also played for West of Scotland FC.He was the brother of James Walker who was also capped for Scotland.-References:...
(West of Scotland), T Ainslie
Thomas Ainslie
Thomas Ainslie was a Scottish rugby football player.He was capped eleven times for between 1881-85. He also played for Edinburgh Institute FP/Edinburgh Institution FP.He was the brother of Robert Ainslie who was also capped for Scotland.-References:...
(Edinburgh Inst FP), JB Brown (Glasgow Acads
Glasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
), J Jamieson (West of Scotland), DY Cassels (West of Scotland) capt., JG Mowat (Glasgow Acads
Glasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
), C Reid
Charles Reid
Charles Reid, nicknamed Hippo, was a Scottish international rugby players. He was capped twenty times for between 1881-88. Reid vies with Ninian Finlay for the title of the youngest player ever to be capped for - he was seventeen years and thirty six days old when he was capped against on 19...
(Edinburgh Acads), D. Somerville
D. Somerville
D. Somerville was a Scottish rugby union player of the late nineteenth century.He was capped six times for between 1879-84 including the 1883 Home Nations Championship....
(Edinburgh Inst FP), D McCowan (West of Scotland), WA Walls (Glasgow Acads
Glasgow Academicals RFC
The Glasgow Academical Football Club is one of the oldest rugby football clubs in Scotland. This history is notable for a number of reasons, including the clubs longevity, its early foundation in the timeline of rugby, and the fact that the club produced many internationals...
)
England: HB Tristram
Henry Tristram
Henry Barrington "Tim" Tristram was an English sportsman who played international rugby union for England and first-class cricket....
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), CG Wade
Charles Wade
Sir Charles Gregory Wade KCMG was Premier of New South Wales 2 October 1907 – 21 October 1910. According to Percival Serle, "Wade was a public-spirited man of high character...
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), Arthur Evanson
Arthur Evanson
Arthur McDonnell Evanson was a Welsh born rugby union player who won four caps between 1882 and 1884 for the England national rugby union team.-Life:...
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), WN Bolton
Wilfred Bolton
Wilfred Bolton was a rugby union international who represented England from 1882 to 1887.-Rugby union career:Bolton made his international debut on Feb 6, 1882 at Lansdowne Road in the Ireland vs England match....
(Blackheath), A Rotherham
Alan Rotherham
Alan Rotherham was a rugby union international who represented England from 1882 to 1887. He also captained his country. Rotherham is best known for his part in revolutionising half-back play in rugby union, being the first player to demonstrate how a half-back could be the connecting link between...
(Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), JH Payne
John Payne (rugby)
John H. Payne was an English rugby union footballer of the 1880s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Broughton Rangers, playing at Half-back, e.g. Fly-half, or Scrum-half...
(Broughton
Broughton Rangers
Broughton Rangers was a British rugby football, and subsequently a rugby league club. It was based in Broughton, Salford.-History:Broughton Rangers was founded in 1877 as Broughton and added Rangers for its second season...
), EJ Moore (Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), CS Wooldridge (Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), RSF Henderson (Blackheath), Herbert Fuller
Herbert Fuller
Herbert George Fuller was an English born rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and won four international caps for the England national rugby union team between 1882 and 1884.-Early life:...
(Cambridge University
Cambridge University R.U.F.C.
The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
), Charles Gurdon
Charles Gurdon
Charles Gurdon was an English rower and rugby union forward who played club rugby for Cambridge University and Richmond. Gurdon represented England fourteen times during the early development of international rugby union, once as captain...
(Richmond
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
), WM Tatham (Oxford University
Oxford University RFC
The Oxford University Rugby Football Club is the rugby union club of the University of Oxford. The club contests The Varsity Match every year against Cambridge University at Twickenham.-History:...
), RM Pattisson (Cambridge University
Cambridge University R.U.F.C.
The Cambridge University Rugby Union Football Club, or CURUFC, is the rugby union club of Cambridge University, and plays Oxford University in the annual Varsity Match at Twickenham stadium every December. CURUFC players wear light blue and white hooped jerseys with a red lion crest...
), GT Thomson
George Thomson (rugby)
George Thomas Thomson was a rugby union footballer of the 1870s and '80s who at representative level played for England, and at club level for Halifax, playing in the Forwards, e.g. Front row, Lock, or Back row...
(Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
), ET Gurdon
Edward Temple Gurdon
Edward Temple Gurdon, often known as Temple Gurdon, was a rugby union international who represented England from 1878 to 1886. He also captained his country.-Early life:Temple Gurdon was born on January 25, 1854 in Barnham Broom, Norfolk...
(Richmond
Richmond F.C.
Richmond Football Club is a rugby union club from Richmond, London. It is a founding member of the Rugby Football Union, and is one of the oldest football clubs...
) capt.
With both England and Scotland victorious in their first two matches, this encounter became the Championship decider. England used six backs, to Scotland's five, and the tactic was successful with a narrow English win. The scoring of one of the English tries was greeted with derision by sections of the Edinburgh crowd, which was deplored by the President of the SRU
Scottish Rugby Union
The Scottish Rugby Union is the governing body of rugby union in Scotland. It is the second oldest Rugby Union, having been founded in 1873, as the Scottish Football Union.-History:...
at the after-game dinner.
See also
- 1881–82 Home Nations rugby union matches - details of the series of matches between the Home Nations in the year before the formal establishment of the Home Nations Championship.