First International Rugby Football Match: Scotland vs. England

Date and Venue

• Date: March 27, 1871
• Location: Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, Scotland

Teams and Preparation

This historic match was the first official rugby football match played between two national teams. The teams consisted of players selected exclusively from clubs across their respective countries:

• Scotland: Represented by players from Edinburgh Academicals, Glasgow Academicals, and other Scottish clubs.
• England: Comprised of players from various clubs, primarily based in London, responding to a challenge issued by the Scottish side.

Rules and Format

The game was played under rules similar to those of modern rugby union but with some differences, reflective of the evolving nature of the sport in the 19th century:

• Duration: Two halves of 50 minutes each.
• Players: Fifteen players on each side.
• Scoring: The match was decided on tries (touchdowns) and goals (kicks after tries and drop-kicks), with a goal superseding any number of tries if both had the same number of goals.

Match Outcome

Scotland emerged victorious against England with a score reflecting the customs of the time:

• Final Score: Scotland 1 goal and 1 try to England’s 1 try.

Historical Significance

This match holds a crucial place in the history of rugby, marking the formalization of international competition in the sport. It set the precedent for rugby as an organized and internationally competitive sporting activity.

• Impact: The successful and cordial conduct of the match catalyzed the formation of rugby unions in subsequent years.
• Legacy: This event laid the groundwork for the establishment of the International Rugby Board in 1886 and influenced the global spread of rugby as a competitive sport.

Subsequent Developments

Following this inaugural match, rugby internationals continued between Scotland and England, fostering a rich sporting rivalry and contributing to the sport’s burgeoning popularity throughout the United Kingdom and beyond.

The match paved the way for an annual fixture known today as part of the Six Nations Championship, a key highlight in the international rugby calendar.