History of Rugby

The most popular believe is that the game of rugby started in 1823, when soccer legend William Webb Ellis picked up a ball and started to run with it. There has been arguments and debates around this subject.

The Webb Ellis story began when Ellis was playing Bigside football in 1823. According to a letter by Matthew Bloxam, a local antiquarian and former pupil of Rugby, Warwickshire, England, dated 22 December 1880 wrote:
“"A boy of the name Ellis – William Webb Ellis – a town boy and a foundationer, ... whilst playing Bigside at football in that half-year [1823], caught the ball in his arms.

This being so, according to the then rules, he ought to have retired back as far as he pleased, without parting with the ball, for the combatants on the opposite side could only advance to the spot where he had caught the ball, and were unable to rush forward till he had either punted it or had placed it for someone else to kick, for it was by means of these placed kicks that most of the goals were in those days kicked, but the moment the ball touched the ground the opposite side might rush on. Ellis, for the first time, disregarded this rule, and on catching the ball, instead of retiring backwards, rushed forwards with the ball in his hands towards the opposite goal, with what result as to the game I know not, neither do I know how this infringement of a well-known rule was followed up, or when it became, as it is now, a standing rule."

Although the legendary incident happened in 1823, the first mention of it was in 1876, four years after the death of William Webb Ellis.
The first official record of an International game played on 27 March 1871 between England and Scotland. Scotland won the game, but a rematch in 1872, England won. There were 20 players on a side.
The number of players was reduced from 20 to 15 a side in 1877
Following the legend of William Webb Ellis, The Web-Ellis cup is awarded to the winner of the Rugby world cup. The Rugby Rules World Cup. The cup, (also referred to as the Web Ellis Trophy) is a 38 centimeter trophy gilded silver and is supported by two cast scroll handles. One handle is a head of a head of a satyr, on the other there is head of a nymph. On the face of the trophy, the words International Rugby Football Board and below that arch The Webb Ellis Cup are engraved.

The first rugby world cup was held in 1987, hosted by Australia and New Zealand, following by 4 year interval Rugby World cups: 1991 hosted by England, 1995 Hosted by South Africa, 1999 hosted by Wales, 2003 hosted by Australia, 2007 hosted by France and 2011 hosted by New Zealand.

The Webb-Ellis cup has been won twice by New Zealand 1987 and 2011, twice by Australia 1991 and 1999, twice by South Africa 1995 and 2007 and once by England 2003.