Student Article
The First Rugby Match Between Nations: Scotland vs. England, 1871
Shilling (noun): A former British coin used before the UK switched to decimal money.
Try (noun): A play in rugby where a player touches the ball down behind the opponent’s goal line.
Gentleman (noun): A man who behaves in a polite and honest way.
Thistle (noun): A spiky purple plant that is a symbol of Scotland.
Umpire (noun): A person who watches a game and makes sure the rules are followed.
On March 27, 1871, history was made in Edinburgh, Scotland.
The first international rugby match
It was a normal Monday for most people, but for sports fans, it was the day of the first-ever international rugby match. Around 4,000 fans came to Raeburn Place, the home of the Academical Cricket Club, to watch Scotland play England in a 20-a-side rugby match. Tickets cost just one shilling, and excitement filled the air.
The teams and the challenge
The match was organized after Scottish clubs invited a team from all of England to compete. Even though the newly formed Rugby Football Union didn’t respond, Blackheath, one of England’s oldest clubs, took the challenge.
Rugby points and jerseys
Rugby back then looked very different from the game today. For example, tries didn’t count as points. A try only gave you a chance to kick a goal, and penalties didn’t exist because it was believed that no gentleman would cheat! The English team wore white jerseys with a red rose, and the Scottish team wore brown jerseys with a thistle.
England’s tough journey and Scotland’s comeback
The English players had a rough trip — traveling overnight and sleeping on bare wooden boards in a train carriage. Despite being larger and stronger, England didn’t score in the first 50 minutes. After switching sides, Scotland took control of the game.
A controversial try and Scotland’s victory
One of Scotland’s tries caused a lot of confusion. Some English players said the ball had been dropped before the try, which was a foul in England but not in Scotland. Even the umpire, a local headmaster, couldn’t see the score clearly but gave the point to Scotland anyway. His reason? “When an umpire is in doubt, he is justified in deciding against the side which makes the most noise!”
A historic victory for Scotland
Scotland won the match with one goal and two tries, while England only managed one try. The match ball was proudly displayed in a shop window, and the win became a symbol of national pride.
© Dominic Sandbrook / www.historyextra.com
Shilling (noun): A former British coin used before the UK switched to decimal money.
Try (noun): A play in rugby where a player touches the ball down behind the opponent’s goal line.
Gentleman (noun): A man who behaves in a polite and honest way.
Thistle (noun): A spiky purple plant that is a symbol of Scotland.
Umpire (noun): A person who watches a game and makes sure the rules are followed.