From The Vaults

29 November 2021

The Evolution of the England Pack

In 150 years of English rugby, the pack has often been the source of English success. This article examines the evolution of the English pack and key partnerships since forward positions first began to develop into their recognisable modern form in the early 1920s.

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29 November 2021

The Evolution of the England Pack

In 150 years of English rugby, the pack has often been the source of English success. This article examines the evolution of the English pack and key partnerships since forward positions first began to develop into their recognisable modern form in the early 1920s.

22 November 2021

RFU at 150: A Royal Centenary

As the Rugby Football Union celebrates its 150th year, we wind the clock back to 1971 when it celebrated its Centenary…

15 November 2021

Power and Pace – a Dynasty of All Black Wingers

On 30th October 2021, the latest in a seemingly endless line of great All Black wingers, Will Jordan, caught the ball in his own half, accelerated and then kicked over his opponents’ heads at the Principality Stadium, going on unchallenged by a bemused Welsh defence to touch down a thrilling try...

11 November 2021

The Rose and Poppy Gates at Twickenham Stadium

This weekend, as is tradition, the competing rugby teams will enter Twickenham Stadium through the Rose and Poppy Memorial Gates. Unveiled on 29th April 2016, the gates are a tribute to all rugby players from around the world who have lost their lives in war...

08 November 2021

RFU at 150: The Red Roses

More than 100 years after the foundation of the Rugby Football Union, another pioneering group of individuals sparked a revolution that would permanently change the face of rugby union in Britain…

01 November 2021

#FromTheVaults - Twickenham Stadium Site Plan

As full crowds return for the Autumn Internationals, this month’s featured object from our collection is an architect’s drawing showing the proposed site of the first North stand built at Twickenham in 1925...

25 October 2021

Vernon and the World Rugby Museum

The mention of the word ‘Vernon’ in the World Rugby Museum office conjures up happy hours grappling with the intricacies of the Vernon Collection Management System, which heritage institutions around the world use to manage information about their collections. So when discussing ideas for future articles for this blog, our thoughts turned to Vernons in rugby…

18 October 2021

PLAYER PROFILE: Brian Moore

Ahead of our next Legends Tours of Twickenham Stadium with Brian Moore on Saturday 23rd October 2021, we're taking a look back at his rugby career...

08 October 2021

Q&A with Derek Peaple, Sporting Heritage's Education Lead

The World Rugby Museum has recently launched an extended range of School of Ruck online learning resources as part of a new education partnership with Sporting Heritage, so today we’re sharing a Q&A with their Education Lead, Derek Peaple...

04 October 2021

#FromTheVaults - Photograph Album, 1891 British Isles tour of South Africa

Following this summer’s Lions’ tour of South Africa, we wanted to highlight this photograph album in our collection which records the events of the first British Isles tour to South Africa 130 years ago...

27 September 2021

PLAYER PROFILE: Francis Luscombe (1849-1926)

Francis “Frank” Luscombe was the fourth man to captain England at rugby. He gained the first of his six England caps against Scotland at the Oval on 5 February 1872...

20 September 2021

DD and RA Howie – Scottish brothers from Kirkcaldy

On January 20th 1912, the first player to be capped from the Kirkcaldy rugby club in Fife took the field at Inverleith for the first of Scotland's four matches in the 1912 International championship...