From The Vaults

26 June 2023

The Ghost Player by Andrew Rishworth

‘The Roses Match’ by William Barnes Wollen hangs on the wall of the President’s Suite in the West Stand of Twickenham Stadium. In this article, Andrew Rishworth shares an extract of his research on the subject...

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26 June 2023

The Ghost Player by Andrew Rishworth

‘The Roses Match’ by William Barnes Wollen hangs on the wall of the President’s Suite in the West Stand of Twickenham Stadium. In this article, Andrew Rishworth shares an extract of his research on the subject...

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19 June 2023

Setting Fire to the Mud

In 2003 the Rugby Football Union (RFU) utilised the stage and screen actor Peter O’Toole to front a campaign called ‘Rugby Making an Impact’...

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22 May 2023

The Battle of the Roses by Andrew Rishworth

‘The Battle of the Roses’ is a painting by William Barnes Wollen RI that was completed in 1895. Also known as ‘The Roses Match’, it is based on the rugby union match between Yorkshire and Lancashire on Saturday 24 November 1894...

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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…

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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...

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15 March 2021

RFU150 - New Zealand Rugby

As the Rugby Football Union celebrates its 150th year, we examine six influential governing bodies and their roles in the history and development of Rugby Union since 1871. This time we look at the contributions of New Zealand Rugby..

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01 March 2021

RFU150 - The Northern Rugby Football Union

As the Rugby Football Union celebrates its 150th year, we examine six influential governing bodies and their roles in the history and development of Rugby Union since 1871. This time we look at the influence of the rival code..

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22 February 2021

RFU150 - World Rugby

As the Rugby Football Union celebrates its 150th year, we examine six influential governing bodies and their roles in the history and development of Rugby Union since 1871. This time we look at World Rugby..

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08 February 2021

RFU150 - The Scottish Rugby Union

As the Rugby Football Union celebrates its 150th year, we examine six influential governing bodies and their roles in the history and development of Rugby Union since 1871. This time we summarise the role of the Scottish Rugby Union..

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01 February 2021

RFU150 - The Rugby Football Union

It is not known which telegram or conversation among gentlemen led to the birth of international rugby in 1871, but it is clear that polite society was abuzz...

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26 January 2021

SPECIAL EXHIBITION- The Rugby Football Union at 150

On 26th January 1871 the representatives of twenty-one football clubs met at the Pall Mall restaurant in central London to form the Rugby Football Union. 150 years later this special exhibition will chronicle the colourful history of one of the world's oldest sporting institutions.

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14 December 2020

Rugby Raptors: The History of Birds of Prey at Twickenham Stadium

Twickenham has had a long history of welcoming birds of prey through its gates for various reasons. Initially, they were a necessity, employed to deal with the stadium's serious pigeon problem, but now they come of their own accord.

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