Rugby Shorts
England and Australia took to the pitch for the first time on this day in rugby history in 1909 at Blackheath's Rectory Field in England. The Wallabies won the match 9-3.
The game was the first between the two sides but the last England international at Blackheath. The venue was the home of the England national team prior to the move to Twickenham.
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The Wallaby attack was paced by Boxer Russell who scored a brace with Norm Row finishing off the scoring.
Russell was a legend for Australia while England had their own hero in Edgar Mobbs. The Northampton skipper was killed in World War I and had a commemorative match between the Barbarians and East Midlands in honor of his life.
The two sides did not meet again until 1928.
Rugby Birthdays
1961 – Didier Camberabero, France flyhalf
1967 – Gary Teichmann, South Africa rugby union player
