February 19: Wales First Rugby Match

Rugby Shorts

Wales played their first international match today in rugby history in 1881. They lost to England at Blackheath one drop goal and six tries to nil. The game was organized by Newport’s Richard Mullock.

The side was composed of ex Cambridge and Oxford University students and was not a strong as many rugby pundits thought was possible so was criticized in the local press.

--- Despite a slow start, the Red Dragons are one of the top rugby teams competing in the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup.  Get in the gear of the Wales National Rugby Team at the World Rugby Shop. ---

The game did not dampen the spirits of the Welsh rugby as the Welsh Rugby Union was formed less than a month later on March 12 at the Castle Hotel in Neath.