A Brief History of Rugby: Volume 1: 1823-1969

Fun Facts, Stats, Quotes and Trivia

1820s-1960s Early football were mainly 'mob' style games, with enormous numbers of players attempting to advance the ball into a goal area, often by any means necessary. Rules were simple with violence and injury common. The games remained largely disorganized until the early 19th century when games began to be played on college grounds. The invention of rugby was therefore not the act of playing early forms of the game, or the acts of a certain William Webb Ellis, but rather the events which led up to its codification and the development of a common set of laws.

The evolution of the game during the 20th century was blighted by global conflicts and many rugby playing soldiers paid the ultimate price. However, the periods following both World Wars saw the game consolidate, constant refinement of techniques and tactics flourished, and frequent and fiercely competitive international tours were being undertaken... this extensive period of expansion of the game has provided rich pickings for A Brief History of Rugby.