February 5: First Rugby 15’s Match

Rugby Shorts

In the early days rugby was played by 20 or more players per side but on this day in rugby history in 1877 that all changes when England and Ireland met in the first international match that featured each side fielding 15 players at the Oval in London.

The game was a huge success because with fewer players it allowed for more open play.

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England scored four tries by A.N Hornby, two from WC Hutchinson and one from FR Adams, and fullback Lennard Stokes kicked two conversions to win 2-0. The scoring at the time gave a goal for each successful conversion after a try.