Rugby Shorts
In the first Home Nations Championship England completed a Triple Crown run with their win over Scotland on this day in rugby history in 1883. The match was the decider as both England and Scotland entered the match undefeated.
The scoring in the era only awarded a goal for the conversion after a try, a drop goal or a goal from mark. Since the game ended 0-0 it went to the first tiebreaker which awarded England the win based unconverted tries.
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The game did not come without controversy. One England try was jeered by the home Edinburgh fans. The behavior of the fans ultimately required president of the Scottish Rugby Union to apologies to the England fans at a post match dinner.
England went undefeated and are recognized as Triple Crown winners but at the time there was no such title. The Triple Crown was long considered an ‘invisible cup’ as there was no trophy until 2006. The title Triple Crown winner was an informal honor applied to the team that went undefeated.
The Home Nations has expanded and is now the Six Nations with the addition of France and Italy but the Triple Crown is still awarded to any Home Nations team that defeats the other three in a calendar year campaign.
