Category: Articles
-
Why (Some) Northerners Play Rugby League
In 1895, class, geography, and politics split a footballing code in half. Over a century later, the war still wages between the two codes. But what does Andy Burnham have to do with it all?
Written by
·
-
Send Offs and the Sin Bin
Rugby Union has a law book so complex it would be impossible to hold every naughty player accountable; however, for those who are caught, the manner in which they are sent to the sin bin has changed substantially.
Written by
·
-
Rugby’s First Nause
Before the likes of the Squidge Brothers, Huw Griffin, or even the aptly titled Rugby Nause, there was Arthur Conan Doyle.
Written by
·
-
‘In His Own Little Spiritual World’: The Lives of Carwyn James
Carwyn James’ life was one of many segments. Remembered primarily for his achievements with the British and Irish Lions, his personal life and navy career are discussed at length too. A life cut short at just fifty-three, today we look back at his complex, and often secretive, life.
Written by
·
-
Football v Soccer: What’s in a Name?
With North America hosting the FIFA Men’s World Cup this summer, the debate on the name of the sport, football or soccer, is bound to be mentioned. This article looks at the history of both terms and tries to pin down the appropriate term for the sport.
Written by
·
-
How It All Began: The first-ever Women’s International Rugby Test Match and the legacy of the Utrecht Shield
On the 13th June 1982, the Netherlands and France took part in the first ever women’s international test match. Whilst the Netherlands lost at home, France became the first-ever lineal world title holders, a title they will fight to regain this Sunday against England in the final game of the 2026 Women’s Six Nations.
Written by
·
-
When The Roses Wilted
Following their 2014 Rugby World Cup win, the Red Roses recorded their worst-ever result in the Six Nations. This is the tale of how the World discovered the Red Roses were not perennials.
Written by
·
-
A Very Brief History of the Women’s Six Nations
Founded in 1996 as the Women’s Home Nations Championship, the tournament has grown significantly over the last thirty years. This is the tale of the seven nations that have made up the Six Nations.
Written by
·
-
‘We’d just thought you’d go away’: A Brief Early History of Women’s Rugby in The USA
How a counter-culture movement and a landmark civil rights case created the first World Cup winners.
Written by
·
-
The ‘Monkey’ Who Almost Had Wales Kicked Out of the Home Nations
Just a few years after the first official Home Nations tournament, the then very small rugby world would be torn apart by one man and his house.
Written by
·