From The Vaults

21 January 2019

Up for the Cup, 1919...

A century ago: January 1919 and with the Versailles negotiations to formally end WW1 still ongoing, five Services sides from amongst the victorious Allies’ ranks were being prepared for what became The King’s Cup: Rugby’s First ‘World Cup’…

Showing all articles

Browse by

21 January 2019

Up for the Cup, 1919...

A century ago: January 1919 and with the Versailles negotiations to formally end WW1 still ongoing, five Services sides from amongst the victorious Allies’ ranks were being prepared for what became The King’s Cup: Rugby’s First ‘World Cup’…

14 January 2019

England Students to Japan, 1982

In 1982 an England Students side travelled to Japan to play a match against Japan at the Hanazono Stadium in Osaka...

07 January 2019

The Longest Kick in Rugby Football

Some kicks seem to have been destined for immortality be they penalty goals, drop goals or the now long forgotten scoring device called goals from a mark...

24 December 2018

Merry Christmas from the World Rugby Museum!

This Christmas Card was made in Bavaria, Germany and is believed to date from the late 19th Century.

17 December 2018

The Rugby Club that Volunteered

Keith Gregson, Sunderland RFC’s archivist and historian has, through a combination of knowledge, effort and luck, pieced together the wartime records of all 45 rugby players who were selected to play for Sunderland RFC 1st, 2nd and 3rd XVs on 17 January 1914 – just over 6 months before the outbreak of the First World War. This is an abridged introduction to the full work, which is available to purchase.

10 December 2018

Charlie Pritchard - "I have done my bit"

The Pritchard Collection gives us a unique insight into rugby history, but also connects us to that pre-1914 world through the story of an iconic character who perished in that dreadful conflict.

01 December 2018

Lest We Forget - Fred Leonard Perrett (Wales) 01/12/1918

By the end of October 1918, Fred Perrett had been on active service on the Western Front for three years and, having already been twice wounded, he may well have felt that he had done his bit...

26 November 2018

The England International who was sunk at Jutland...

Sydney Coopper was secretary of the RFU from 1924 to 1947. In 1916 his ship was sunk during the nighttime exchanges during the Battle of Jutland. Coopper survived. This is the story of what happened that night on board HMS Sparrowhawk...

18 November 2018

Lest We Forget - Reginald Oscar Schwarz (England) 18/11/2018

Reginald Oscar Schwarz, who was born in Lee in South London, is perhaps better known as a South African test cricketer than as an England rugby international...

08 November 2018

Rugby remembers the fallen of the First World War

Throughout the First World War rugby players from all nations and of all levels distinguished themselves by their bravery and conduct...

05 November 2018

Lest We Forget - Alexander James Ridland (New Zealand) 05/11/1918

Alexander James (Jimmy) Ridland died at Le Quesnoy in France on 5th November 1918 during the final week of the First World War. A rifleman in the 1st Battalion of the New Zealand Rifle Brigade, he was the last of the 13 All Blacks who lost their lives in the war.

29 October 2018

Dave Gallaher: The Original All-Black

Gallaher’s 1905 side created a legacy that continues to this day. The words ‘All-Blacks’, as reported by British newspapers during the New Zealander’s stay, has instilled fear, admiration and respect ever since.

1 2

…

24 25

26

27 28

…

44 45