Rugby Union in History

Events in Sport

Events 1 - 100 of 211

  • 1863-10-26 Football Association forms in England, standardizing soccer, splitting with rugby
  • 1871-01-26 The Rugby Football Union is formed at a meeting of 21 clubs at the Pall Mall Restaurant, London, England
  • 1871-03-27 First international rugby union match - Scotland beats England, 1-0 at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
  • 1873-10-04 Toronto Argonauts Football Club (CFL) forms as Argonaut Rowing Club rugby-football squad; oldest existing pro sports team in North America still using original name
  • 1878-10-22 The first rugby match under floodlights takes place in Salford, between Broughton and Swinton.
  • 1883-01-04 Ontario Rugby Football Union (forerunner of CFL) forms
  • 1883-01-06 Ontario Rugby Football Union forms
  • 1883-01-16 Quebec Rugby Football Union forms
  • 1883-03-03 In the series decider England beats Scotland, 2 tries to 1 at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh to win the inaugural Home Nations Rugby Championship with an undefeated record
  • 1884-02-07 Canadian Rugby Football Union forms
  • 1888-10-03 New Zealand Natives, a privately organised and mainly Māori rugby team, plays first game in UK; beats Surry 4-1; first national rugby team to wear all-black & perform the 'haka'
  • 1891-12-19 Canadian Rugby Union forms
  • 1892-02-22 Manitoba Rugby Football Union forms
  • 1895-08-29 The formation of the Northern Rugby Union at the George Hotel, Huddersfield, England.
  • 1897-11-24 Canadian Intercollegiate Rugby Football Union forms in Kingston
  • 1903-08-15 New Zealand's All Blacks play their first Rugby Test Match against Australia's Wallabies at the Sydney Cricket Ground; New Zealand win 22-3
  • 1905-09-02 New Zealand beats Australia 14-3 in cold, wet conditions in the first international Rugby Union match between the countries on New Zealand soil at Tahuna Park in Dunedin
  • 1907-09-13 Canadian Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU) forms with merge of Hamilton Tigers, Toronto Argonauts (ORFU) and Ottawa Rough Riders, Montreal FC (QRFU)
  • 1907-10-05 Canadian Interprovincial Rugby Football Union (IRFU) plays first game; Montreal beats Toronto, 17-8 in Montreal
  • 1907-10-31 Calgary City Rugby Football Club's 1st game defeating Strathcona Rugby Foot-ball Club 15-0 at Calgary
  • 1907-11-09 Edmonton Rugby Foot-ball Club 1st game, loses to Calgary City Rugby Foot-ball Club 26-5 at Edmonton Exhibition Grounds
  • 1908-08-27 Calgary City Rugby Football Club re-organizes as the Tigers
  • 1908-09-29 Calgary Rugby Football Union forms
  • 1908-10-16 Edmonton Rugby Foot-ball Club re-organizes as Esquimoux
  • 1909-10-02 First Rugby Union match is played at the English RFU owned Twickenham ground; Harlequins beat Richmond, 14-10
  • 1910-09-13 Regina Rugby Club forms
  • 1910-09-22 Saskatchewan Rugby Football Union forms with an initial 9 team competition
  • 1910-10-01 Regina Rugby Club (to become CFL Saskatchewan Roughriders) plays first game, losing to Moose Jaw Tigers, 16-6
  • 1911-10-21 Manitoba, Saskatchewan & Alberta Unions form Western Canada Rugby Football Union
  • 1926-10-02 Bert Gibb kicks 9 singles as Hamilton Tigers beat Montreal AAA Winged Wheelers 12-10 in Montreal in Canadian Inter-provincial Rugby Football Union opening round
  • 1928-08-25 Tri-City Rugby Football Union forms consisting of Moose Jaw, Regina & Winnipeg
  • 1930-06-10 Winnipeg Rugby Football Club forms
  • 1930-09-13 Winnipeg Rugby Football Club 1st game, loses to St John's Rugby, 7-3
  • 1931-02-28 Canadian Rugby Union adopts the forward pass
  • 1932-03-19 England beats Scotland, 16-3 at Twickenham, London to force a 3-way share with Wales and Ireland of renewed Home Nations Rugby Championship; France expelled, alleged professionalism
  • 1933-04-01 Scotland beats Ireland, 8-6 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin to win the Home Nations Rugby Championship and Triple Crown
  • 1934-03-17 England beats Scotland, 6-3 at Twickenham, London to win the Home Nations Rugby Championship and Triple Crown
  • 1935-03-16 Scotland beats England, 10-7 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh to allow Ireland to win the Home Nations Rugby Championship with a 2-1 record
  • 1936-03-14 Wales beats Ireland, 3-0 in Cardiff to clinch the Home Nations Rugby Championship with a 2-1-0 record
  • 1937-03-20 England beats Scotland, 6-3 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh to clinch the Home Nations Rugby Championship and Triple Crown
  • 1937-04-12 Sir Frank Whittle ground-tests the first jet engine designed to power an aircraft at Rugby, England.
  • 1938-03-19 Scotland beats England, 21-16 at Twickenham, London to win the Home Nations Rugby Championship, Triple Crown and Calcutta Cup
  • 1939-03-18 England beats Scotland, 9-6 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh to force a share of the Home Nations Rugby Championship with Wales and Ireland
  • 1947-04-19 England beats France, 6-3 at Twickenham to be level on points with Wales for a share of the Five Nations Rugby Championship; first appearance of France in tournament since 1931
  • 1948-03-13 Ireland beats Wales, 6-3 at Ravenhill Stadium, Belfast to clinch the Five Nations Rugby Championship and first Grand Slam
  • 1949-03-12 Ireland retains Five Nations Rugby Championship & Triple Crown with a 5-0 win over Wales at St. Helen's Ground, Swansea
  • 1950-03-25 Wales outclasses France, 21-0 at the National Stadium, Cardiff to clinch the Five Nations Rugby Championship, Grand Slam and Triple Crown
  • 1951-03-10 Ireland clinches their 7th Five Nations Rugby Championship with a 3-3 draw against Wales at the National Stadium, Cardiff
  • 1952-03-22 Wales wins Five Nations Rugby Championship, Grand Slam & Triple Crown with a 9-5 win over France at St. Helen's Ground, Swansea
  • 1953-03-21 England beats Scotland, 26-8 at Twickenham, London to clinch their 14th Five Nations Rugby Championship
  • 1954-04-10 Wales beats Scotland, 15-3 at the St. Helen's Ground, Swansea to share Five Nations Rugby Championship with France and England; France's first title
  • 1955-03-26 France misses out on a maiden Grand Slam after losing, 16-11 to Wales at Stade Colombes; share Five Nations Rugby Championship with Wales with 3-1 record
  • 1956-03-24 Wales beats France, 5-3 at the National Stadium, Cardiff to clinch their 13th Five Nations Rugby Championship
  • 1957-03-16 England clinches its 15th Five Nations Rugby Championship, the Grand Slam, Triple Crown and Calcutta Cup with a 16-3 win over Scotland at Twickenham, London

Sports History

1957-05-25 Legendary rugby player Colin Meads makes his All Black debut against Australia - New Zealand win 25-11 in Sydney

  • 1958-03-15 England retains the Five Nations Rugby Championship with a 3-3 draw against Scotland at Murrayfield, Edinburgh; England’s 16th FN title
  • 1959-04-04 France beats Wales, 11-3 at Stade Colombes to win the Five Nations Rugby Championship outright for the first time
  • 1960-02-27 Five Nations Rugby Championship is won jointly by England and France with the pivotal game a 3-3 draw between the teams at Stade Colombes, Paris
  • 1960-06-25 South Africa beats New Zealand 13-0 in the first rugby test of the series in Johannesburg
  • 1961-04-15 France wins it’s 2nd outright Five Nations Rugby Championship with an 15-3 victory over Ireland at Lansdowne Road, Dublin
  • 1962-04-14 France retains the Five Nations Rugby Championship with an 11-0 win over Ireland at Stade Colombes, Paris
  • 1963-03-16 England edges Scotland, 10-8 at Twickenham, London to win its 17th Five Nations Rugby Championship
  • 1964-03-21 Wales draws 11-11 with France in Cardiff, whilst Scotland beats England, 15-6 at Murrayfield to leave the Five Nations Rugby Championship shared by Wales and Scotland on 6 competition points
  • 1965-03-20 Wales misses out on a 4th Grand Slam after losing to France, 22-13 at Stade Colombes, Paris despite winning the Five Nations Rugby Championship
  • 1966-03-26 Wales beats France, 9-8 at the National Stadium, Cardiff to clinch their 15th Five Nations Rugby Championship
  • 1967-01-01 Canadian Amateur Football Association formally becomes successor to Canadian Rugby Football Union; turns over the Grey Cup trophy to the CFL
  • 1967-04-15 France wins its 4th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship with an 11-6 win over Ireland at Lansdowne Road, Dublin
  • 1968-03-23 France retains the Five Nations Rugby Championship with an 14-9 win over Wales at the National Stadium, Cardiff; first Grand Slam victory for France
  • 1969-04-12 Wales beats England, 30-9 at the National Stadium, Cardiff to clinch their 16th Five Nations Rugby Championship and 11th Triple Crown

Sports History

1970-02-11 John Lennon pays £1,344 fines for 96 protesting South African rugby team playing in Scotland

  • 1970-04-18 France beats England, 35-13 at Stade Colombes, Paris to earn a share of the Five Nations Rugby Championship with Wales
  • 1971-03-27 Wales clinches its 17th Five Nations Rugby Championship, 6th Grand Slam and 12th Triple Crown with a 9-5 win over France at Stade Colombes, Paris
  • 1972-02-26 Ireland-Wales Five Nations Rugby match scheduled for Lansdowne Road, Dublin is cancelled because of escalating political situation; Championship not completed for first time since World War II
  • 1973-04-14 Ireland edges France, 6-4 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin to create a 5-way tie for the Five Nations Rugby Championship; each nation wins their 2 home matches
  • 1974-03-16 Both Wales (12-16 v England) and France (6-19 v Scotland) lose their final round matches handing Ireland their 8th Five Nations Rugby Championship
  • 1975-03-01 Five Nations Rugby Championship match between Scotland and Wales at Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh attracts a world record attendance of 104,000; Scots win 12-10
  • 1975-03-15 Wales trounce Ireland, 32-4 at the National Stadium, Cardiff to clinch their 18th Five Nations Rugby Championship
  • 1975-06-28 The South African rugby team beats France 33-18 in Pretoria
  • 1976-03-06 Wales clinch their 7th Five Nations Rugby Championship title, 7th Grand Slam and 13th Triple Crown with a 19-13 win over France at the National Stadium, Cardiff
  • 1976-07-17 21st modern Olympic games opens in Montreal: 25 African teams (later rising to 33 nations) boycott the games due to New Zealand playing rugby in apartheid South Africa
  • 1977-03-19 France beats Ireland, 15-6 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin to clinch its 6th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship and 2nd Grand Slam
  • 1978-03-18 Wales beats France, 16-7 at the National Stadium, Cardiff to clinch its 20th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship, a record 8th Grand Slam and record 3rd consecutive Triple Crown
  • 1979-03-17 Wales beats England, 27-3 at the National Stadium, Cardiff for its 2nd consecutive Five Nations Rugby Championship and record 21st outright title; record 4th straight Triple Crown
  • 1980-03-15 England beats Scotland, 30-18 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh to claim it's 18th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship, 8th Grand Slam and 15th Triple Crown
  • 1980-06-28 The South African Springbok rugby team lead by Morné du Plessis beats the British Lions 12-10 in Port Elizabeth to lead 3-0 in the series
  • 1981-03-21 France beats England 16-12 at Twickenham, London for it's 7th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship and 3rd Grand Slam title
  • 1981-07-19 South African Springbok rugby team arrives in New Zealand beginning 56 days of 'near civil war' in the country between anti-apartheid protesters and tour supporters [1]
  • 1981-07-25 Anti-apartheid protesters in Hamilton, New Zealand, force the cancellation of a rugby match between the provincial team Waikato and South Africa’s Springboks by invading the pitch during the game [1]
  • 1981-07-29 Anti-apartheid protesters against the Springbok rugby tour are confronted by police who use batons to stop them marching to South Africa’s Consul in New Zealand
  • 1982-03-20 France beats Ireland, 22-9 at the Parc des Princes, Paris but the Irish take the Five Nations Rugby Championship with a 3-1 record and also their 5th Triple Crown
  • 1983-03-19 France (16-9 v Wales) and Ireland (25-15 v England) win final round matches to finish level and share the Five Nations Rugby Championship; no tie-break procedure exists before 1993
  • 1984-03-17 Scotland beats France, 21-12 at Murrayfield to win the Five Nations Rugby Championship outright and Triple Crown for first time since 1938; Grand Slam first time since 1925
  • 1985-03-30 Ireland beats England, 13-10 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin to clinch its 10th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship and 6th triple Crown
  • 1986-03-15 Scotland (10-9 v Ireland) and France (29-10 v England) win their final round matches to share the Five Nations Rugby Championship with 3-1 records
  • 1987-03-21 France beats Ireland, 19-13 at Lansdowne Road, Dublin the clinch the outright Five Nations Rugby Championship for the 8th time and 4th Grand Slam title
  • 1987-11-01 New Zealand All Blacks create a rugby union international world record score when they beat Japan, 106-4 at the National Stadium in Tokyo
  • 1988-03-19 France edges Wales, 10-9 at the National Stadium, Cardiff to share the Five Nations Rugby Championship with the Welsh with 3-1 records
  • 1989-03-19 Wales beats England, 12-9 at Cardiff Arms Park to allow France to claim it's 9th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship
  • 1990-03-17 Scotland beats England, 13-7 at Murrayfield, Edinburgh for it's 14th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship, 3rd Grand Slam title and 10th Triple Crown
  • 1991-03-16 England beats France, 21-19 at Twickenham for it's 19th outright Five Nations Rugby Championship, 9th Grand Slam and 16th Triple Crown; fullback Simon Hodgkinson 4 penalties and a conversion

Birthdays in Sport

Birthdays 1 - 100 of 309

  • 1806-11-24 William Webb Ellis, credited with the invention of Rugby (d. 1872)
  • 1832-08-12 Hely Hutchinson Almond, Scottish classics scholar and early rugby umpire and advocate (Loretto School), born in Glasgow, Scotland (d. 1903)
  • 1847-02-10 A. N. Hornby, English cricket batsman and captain (3 Tests; Lancashire CCC) and rugby union utility back & captain (9 Tests; Lancashire CRFC), born in Blackburn, England (d. 1925)
  • 1854-12-03 William Milton, British cricket all-rounder (3 Tests South Africa, 2 wickets) and rugby union centre (2 Tests England), born in Little Marlow, England (d. 1930)
  • 1860-09-11 James Allan, New Zealand rugby union player and All Black, born in Taieri, Otago, New Zealand (d. 1934)
  • 1863-03-11 Andrew Stoddart, English cricket batsman and captain (16 Tests, 2 x 100, HS 173; Middlesex CCC) and rugby union centre & captain (10 Tests; first captain Barbarians RFC), born in Westoe, England (d. 1915)
  • 1867-04-13 Sammy Woods, Australian cricket all-rounder (3 Tests Australia, 3 England, 1 x 50, 10 wickets; Somerset CCC) and rugby union flanker (13 caps England, 5 as captain), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1931)
  • 1869-08-31 Gregor MacGregor, English cricket wicket-keeper (8 Tests 1890-93) and Scottish rugby union player, born in Edinburgh, Scotland (d. 1919)
  • 1874-04-26 Biddy Anderson, South African cricket batsman (1 Test as captain; Western Province) and rugby union centre (3 Tests), born in Kimberley, South Africa (d. 1926)
  • 1875-04-02 William Donne, English cricket batsman, (Olympic gold 1900) and administrator (President England Rugby Football Union), born in Wincanton, England (d. 1934)
  • 1875-05-04 Reggie Schwartz, English cricket spin bowler (20 Tests South Africa, 55 wickets, BB 6/47) and rugby union fly half (3 Tests England), born in London, England (d. 1918)
  • 1880-10-21 Reggie Spooner, English cricket batsman (10 Tests; dual cricket/rugby union international), born in St Helens, Lancashire (d. 1961)
  • 1881-07-26 James Cecil Parke, Irish tennis player (Australasian C'ship singles & doubles, Davis Cup 1912; Wimbledon doubles 1914) and rugby union centre (20 caps; Leinster Rugby), born in Clones, Ireland (d. 1946)
  • 1884-02-08 Reginald "Snowy" Baker, Australian boxer (Olympic silver middleweight 1908), rugby union halfback (2 caps) and actor (The Sword of Valor), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1953)
  • 1891-01-04 Bryn Lewis, Welsh rugby union winger (2 caps; Newport, Cambridge University), born in Pontardawe, Wales (d. 1917)
  • 1893-05-08 Teddy Wakelam, English sports broadcaster (BBC) and rugby union player (captain Harlequin RFC), born in Herefordshire, England (d. 1963)
  • 1895-10-10 Johnny Taylor, Australian cricket batsman (20 Tests; 1 x 100, 8 x 50) and rugby union fly-half (2 caps), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 1971)
  • 1900-08-01 Otto Nothling, Australian rugby union player and cricketer (Test for Australia 1928, 52 runs aver 26), born in Witta, Queensland, Australia (d. 1965)
  • 1902-05-08 Milford "Curly" Page, New Zealand cricket batsman and captain (14 Tests, 1 x 100, 2x 50, 5 wickets) and rugby union halfback (Canterbury RU), born in Lyttelton, New Zealand (d. 1987)
  • 1903-03-11 George Dickinson, New Zealand cricket fast bowler (3 Tests, 8 wickets; Otago, Wellington) and rugby union five-eighth (NZ 5 x tour matches; Otago RFU), born in Dunedin, New Zealand (d. 1978)
  • 1905-03-20 Jean Galia, French rugby footballer (d. 1949)
  • 1905-04-25 George Nepia, New Zealand rugby player, born in Wairoa, New Zealand (d. 1986)
  • 1906-02-27 Mal Matheson, New Zealand cricket fast bowler (2 Tests) and rugby union Test referee (Australia v NZ 1946), born in Omaha, New Zealand (d. 1985)
  • 1908-12-14 Claude Davey, Welsh rugby union footballer, born in Garnant, Wales (d. 2001)
  • 1910-12-18 Eric Tindill, New Zealand rugby union halfback (1 cap; Wellington RFU), cricket wicketkeeper (5 Tests, 7 dismissals) and international umpire (1 Test), born in Nelson, New Zealand (d. 2010)
  • 1912-07-18 Max Rousié, French rugby footballer, born in Marmande, Lot-et-Garonne, France (d. 1959)
  • 1916-02-17 Alexander Obolensky, Russian prince and English rugby union winger (4 caps; Leicester Tigers RUFC, Oxford Uni RFC), born in Saint Petersburg, Russia (d. 1940)
  • 1916-07-31 Verdun Scott, New Zealand cricket batsman (10 Tests, 3 x 50; Auckland) and rugby league utility back (1 Test; Auckland Pakehā), born in Devonport, Auckland (d. 1980)
  • 1916-08-27 Tony Harris, South African cricket batsman (3 Tests, 1 x 50; Transvaal) and rugby union five-eighth (5 Tests), born in Kimberley, South Africa (d. 1993)
  • 1917-10-17 Martin Donnelly, New Zealand cricket batsman (7 Tests, 1 x 100, 4 x 50, HS 206; Wellington, Canterbury) and rugby union centre (1 Test England 1947), born in Ngāruawāhia, New Zealand (d. 1999)
  • 1919-06-10 Kevin O'Flanagan, Irish rugby union winger (1 Test; London Irish RFC), soccer striker (FAI 10 caps; Ireland 3 caps) and administrator (International Olympic Committee 1976-94), born in Dublin, Ireland (d. 2006)
  • 1921-02-06 Bob Scott, New Zealand rugby union fullback (17 Tests; Auckland RU), born in Wellington, New Zealand (d. 2012)
  • 1921-05-05 Eric Tweedale, Australian rugby union prop (10 caps; NSW RFU, Parramatta RFC), born in Rochdale, England (d. 2023)
  • 1923-08-11 Roy Roper, New Zealand rugby union three-quarter (5 Tests; Taranaki RU), born in Ōwhango, New Zealand (d. 2023)
  • 1924-11-08 John Burgess, English rugby coach and administrator (England coach 1971-75; RFU President 1987-88), born in Salford, England (d. 1997)
  • 1925-06-11 Richard White, New Zealand rugby union lock (23 Tests; Poverty Bay RFU), born in Gisborne, New Zealand (d. 2012)
  • 1926-04-01 Denis Lalanne, French sports journalist ('Le grand combat du XV de France'; 'Rugbymania: French flair attitude'), born in Pau, France (d. 2019)
  • 1927-03-02 Ray Prosser, Welsh rugby union prop (22 caps Wales, 1 British & Irish Lions; Pontypool) and coach (Pontypool RFC 1969-87), born in Pontypool, Wales (d. 2020)
  • 1929-01-04 Norman Munnoch, Scottish rugby union hooker (3 caps; Watsonians RFC, RAFRU, Edinburgh District), born in Polmont, Scotland (d. 2023)
  • 1929-01-28 Clem Thomas, Welsh rugby union flanker (26 Tests, 9 as captain; Cambridge Uni RFC, Brynamman, Swansea, London Welsh, Harlequins) and journalist (The Observer), born in Cardiff, Wales (d. 1996)
  • 1929-06-04 Pierre Danos, French rugby union halfback (17 Tests; RC Toulon, AS Béziers), born in Toulouse, France (d. 2023)
  • 1930-02-20 Kevin Meates, New Zealand rugby union flanker (2 Tests; Canterbury), born in Greymouth, New Zealand (d. 2022)
  • 1930-04-01 Dennis Young, New Zealand rugby union hooker (22 caps; Canterbury 139 games), born in Christchurch, New Zealand (d. 2020)
  • 1930-08-21 Alan Ashcroft, English rugby union number 8 (16 caps England, 2 caps British & Irish Lions; Waterloo FC), born in St. Helens, England (d. 2021)
  • 1931-06-27 Grant Weatherstone, Scotland rugby union winger (16 caps; Edinburgh District), born in Edinburgh, Scotland (d. 2020)
  • 1931-11-25 Dickie Jeeps, English rugby international/chairman Sports Council
  • 1932-02-09 Gérard Murillo, French rugby union outside back (2 Tests; Stade Dijonnais) and manager (Saint-Jean-de-Luz Olympique Rugby 1962-81), born in Paris (d. 2023)
  • 1932-04-01 François Moncla, French rugby union flanker (31 Tests; Racing 92, Section Paloise), born in Louvie-Juzon, France (d. 2021)
  • 1932-06-05 Ronnie Dawson, Irish rugby player (Captain of Irish and Lions team), born in Dublin, Ireland
  • 1932-09-24 Terry Davies, Welsh rugby union full back (21 Tests Wales, 2 British & Irish Lions; Swansea, Llanelli), born in Llwynhendy, Wales (d. 2021)
  • 1932-11-01 Alexandru Penciu, Romanian rugby union fullback, centre (34 caps; Locomotiva PTT, CSA Steaua București, Rugby Rovigo), born in Bucharest, Romania (d. 2023)
  • 1932-12-11 Rob Heming, Australian rugby union lock (21 Tests; NSW, Manly RUFC), born in Namatanai, Papua New Guinea (d. 2023)
  • 1933-06-30 Mike Smith, English cricket batsman and captain (50 Tests; last England dual international [1 rugby union cap]), born in Westcotes, Leicestershire
  • 1933-11-07 Ernie Michie, Scottish rugby union lock (15 caps; 2 caps British & Irish Lions; Barbarians FC; London Scottish RUFC, Leicester Tigers RUFC), born in Aberdeen, Scotland (d. 2021)
  • 1934-05-01 Nev MacEwan, New Zealand rugby union #8 (20 caps; Wellington 133 games), born in Auckland, New Zealand
  • 1934-05-15 Frank McAtamney, New Zealand rugby union prop (1 Test; Otago 38 games), born in Middlemarch, New Zealand (d. 2022)
  • 1934-05-23 Syd Millar, Irish rugby union prop (37 Tests Ireland; 9 British & Irish Lions; Ballymena RFC, Ulster), coach (Ireland, B&I Lions 1974) and executive (IRFU President 1995-96), born in Ballymena, Northern Ireland (d. 2023)
  • 1934-07-27 André Abadie, French rugby union front rower (7 caps; SC Rieumois, SC Graulhetois, SC Albi), born in Toulouse, France (d. 2020)
  • 1934-10-27 Phil Horrocks-Taylor, English rugby union fly half (9 caps England, 1 British & Irish Lions; Leicester Tigers), born in Halifax, England (d. 2021)
  • 1935-04-22 Dick Conway, New Zealand rugby union flanker/#8 (10 Tests; Otago RFU, Bay of Plenty RU), born in Whakatāne, New Zealand (d. 2022)
  • 1935-07-10 Wilson Whineray, New Zealand rugby union prop (32 Tests [30 as captain]; Auckland RFU), born in Auckland, New Zealand (d. 2012)
  • 1935-11-19 Niall Brophy, Irish rugby union wing (20 Tests Ireland, 2 British & Irish Lions; London Irish RFC, Barbarian FC, Leinster RFC), born in Dublin, Ireland (d. 2023)
  • 1935-12-29 Russell Watt, New Zealand rugby union wing (9 Tests; Otago, Southland, Wellington), born in Dunedin, New Zealand (d. 2022)
  • 1936-01-05 Terry Lineen, New Zealand rugby union centre (12 caps; Auckland), born in Auckland, New Zealand (d. 2020)
  • 1936-05-06 Pat Walsh, New Zealand rugby union utility back (13 Tests; Auckland, Counties) and All Black selector 1969-71, born in Kaitaia, New Zealand (d. 2007)
  • 1936-05-17 Guy Camberabero, French rugby union flyhalf (14 Tests 110 points; ROC La Voulte Sportif, US Tyrosse RUC), born in Saubion, France (d. 2023)

Colin Meads (1936-2017)

1936-06-03 New Zealand rugby union player and All Black great known as "Pinetree", born in Cambridge, New Zealand

  • 1936-08-29 Ken Scotland, Scottish rugby union full-back (27 Tests Scotland, 5 British & Irish Lions; Leicester Tigers RUFC, London Scottish FC), born in Edinburgh, Scotland (d. 2023)
  • 1937-02-22 Noel Murphy, Irish rugby union player, born in County Cork, Ireland
  • 1937-03-10 John Creighton, New Zealand rugby union hooker (1 Test, 6 apps NZ; Canterbury), born in Rotherham, New Zealand (d. 2022)
  • 1937-09-10 Alun Pask, Welsh rugby union flanker (26 caps; British Lions 8 caps; Abertillery), born in Blackwood, Monmouthshire (d. 1995)
  • 1937-10-30 Brian Price, Welsh rugby union lock (32 Tests Wales, 4 British & Irish Lions; Newport RFC, Barbarians RFC), born in Deri, Wales (d. 2023)
  • 1938-01-22 Corra Dirksen, South African rugby union winger (10 caps; Northern Transvaal), born in Vereeniging, South Africa (d. 2020)
  • 1938-04-03 Ray Hunter, Northern Irish cricket all-rounder (28 international matches) and rugby union centre (10 Tests; British & Irish Lions 1962; Portadown RFC), born in Belfast, Northern Ireland (d. 2020)
  • 1938-05-14 Clive Rowlands, Welsh rugby union scrum half (14 caps; Abercraf RFC, Pontypool RFC, Llanelli RFC, Swansea RFC), born in Upper Cwmtwrch, Wales (d. 2023)
  • 1938-07-16 Max Wiltshire, Welsh rugby union lock (4 Tests; Aberavon RFC), born in Sydney, Australia (d. 2021)
  • 1938-08-07 Dewi Bebb, Welsh rugby union winger (34 Tests Wales, 8 British & Irish Lions; Swansea RFC) and journalist, born in Bangor, Wales (d. 1996)
  • 1938-09-09 Richard Sharp, English rugby union flyhalf (14 Tests England, 2 British & Irish Lions; Cornwall RFC, Wasps RFC, Bristol RFC), born in Bangalore, India
  • 1938-09-24 Ian McIntosh, Zimbabwean rugby union coach (South Africa 1993-94; Natal), born in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe (d. 2023)
  • 1938-10-24 Bev Dovey, English rugby union prop (2 Tests; Bristol RFC 184 games; Western Counties, Gloucestershire), born in Forest of Dean, England (d. 2024)
  • 1939-01-07 Tom Kiernan, Irish rugby union fullback (54 caps [captain 24]; British & Irish Lions 5 [captain 1968]; Munster RUFC), born in Cork, Ireland (d. 2022)
  • 1939-03-19 Peter Thorburn MNZM, New Zealand rugby union coach (North Harbour, NZ sevens, Bristol RFC, United States), born in Auckland, New Zealand (d. 2021)
  • 1939-03-20 Kevin Flynn, Irish rugby union centre (22 caps; Leinster RFC), born in Dublin, Ireland (d. 2022)
  • 1939-06-20 Budge Rogers, British rugby flanker (34 Tests England [7 as captain], 2 British & Irish Lions; Bedford RFC), born in Bedford, England
  • 1939-07-05 Brian O'Brien, Irish rugby union centre (3 Tests; Munster RFC) and selector (Ireland, British & Irish Lions), born in Limerick, Ireland (d. 2023)
  • 1939-07-27 Greg Davis, Australian rugby union flanker (39 Tests, 16 as captain; NSW, Drummoyne DRFC), born in Matamata, New Zealand (d. 1979)
  • 1939-08-24 Ray McLoughlin, Irish rugby union prop (40 caps Ireland, 3 British & Irish Lions; London Irish RFC), born in Ballinasloe, Ireland (d. 2021)
  • 1940-06-06 Willie-John McBride, Irish rugby union lock (63 Tests Ireland, 17 British Lions; Ballymena RFC) and coach (1983 Lions tour to NZ), born in Toomebridge, Northern Ireland
  • 1940-06-29 John Dawes, Welsh rugby union centre (22 caps Wales, 4 caps British & Irish Lions; London Welsh; Barbarians), born in Abercarn, Wales (d. 2021)
  • 1940-07-08 Waka Nathan, New Zealand rugby union flanker (14 Tests; Auckland RU), born in Auckland, New Zealand (d. 2021)
  • 1940-07-10 Dawie de Villiers, South African rugby union captain and halfback (25 Tests; Western Province), born in Burgersdorp, South Africa (d. 2022)
  • 1940-09-28 Marcel Puget, French rugby union halfback and captain (17 Tests; CA Brive, Stade Toulousain, Stade Rodez Aveyron), born in Limoux, France (d. 2021)
  • 1941-01-03 Malcolm Dick, New Zealand rugby union winger (15 caps) and administrator (New Zealand Rugby Union council 1986-92), born in Auckland, New Zealand
  • 1941-02-27 Charlie Faulkner, Welsh rugby union prop (19 Tests Wales; British & Irish Lions 1977; Pontypool RFC, Barbarian FC) and coach (Newport RFC), born in Newport, Wales (d. 2023)
  • 1941-05-10 Ken Kennedy, Irish rugby union hooker (45 Tests Ireland, 4 British & Irish Lions; London Irish RFC), born in Rochester, England (d. 2022)
  • 1941-07-07 Marco Bollesan, Italian rugby union number 8 (47 caps; CUS Genova, Partenope) and coach (Italy 1985-88), born in Venice, Italy (d. 2021)
  • 1941-08-07 Ken Jones, Welsh rugby union centre (14 caps Wales, 6 British Lions; Cardiff RFC, London Welsh RFC, Barbarian FC), born in Cross Hands, Wales (d. 2022)
  • 1941-10-28 André Quilis, French rugby union flanker (5 caps; RC Narbonne), born in Coursan, France (d. 2020)
  • 1941-11-01 John Pullin, English rugby union hooker (42 caps; British Lions 7 caps; Bristol RFC), born in Aust, Gloucestershire, England (d. 2021)
  • 1941-11-18 Ronnie Lamont, Irish rugby union #8, flanker (12 Tests Ireland; 4 Tests British & Irish Lions), born in Co Antrim, Northern Ireland (d. 2022)

Weddings in Sport

  • 2005-12-10 Rugby Star Clyde Rathbone (24) weds Carrie-Ann Leeson in South Africa
  • 2005-12-22 "Ospreys" Rugby star Shane Williams (28) weds Gail Lacey at Twyn Church in Garnant, West Wales
  • 2006-01-28 London Broncos rugby football player Craig Gower (27) weds TV personality and model Amanda Flynn (24) in Sydney, Australia

Zara Phillips

2011-07-30 Granddaughter of Queen Elizabeth II and British equestrian Zara Phillips (30) weds England rugby player Mike Tindall (32) at the Canongate Kirk in Edinburgh, Scotland


Deaths in Sport

Deaths 1 - 100 of 175

  • 1903-03-07 Hely Hutchinson Almond, Scottish classics scholar and early rugby umpire and advocate (Loretto School), dies at 70
  • 1915-04-03 Andrew Stoddart, English cricket batsman and captain (16 Tests, 2 x 100, HS 173; Middlesex CCC) and rugby union centre & captain (10 Tests; first captain Barbarians RFC), dies by suicide at 52
  • 1917-04-02 Bryn Lewis, Welsh rugby union winger (2 caps; Newport, Cambridge University), dies on active duty in WWI at 26
  • 1918-11-18 Reggie Schwartz, English cricket spin bowler (20 Tests South Africa, 55 wickets, BB 6/47) and rugby union fly half (3 Tests England), dies from Spanish flu at 43
  • 1919-08-20 Gregor MacGregor, English cricket wicket-keeper (8 Tests 1890-93) and Scottish rugby union player, dies at 49
  • 1925-12-17 A. N. Hornby, English cricket batsman and captain (3 Tests; Lancashire CCC) and rugby union utility back & captain (9 Tests; Lancashire CRFC), dies at 78
  • 1926-03-11 Biddy Anderson, South African cricket batsman (1 Test as captain; Western Province) and rugby union centre (3 Tests), dies at 51
  • 1930-03-06 William Milton, British cricket all-rounder (3 Tests South Africa, 2 wickets) and rugby union centre (2 Tests England), dies at 75
  • 1931-04-30 Sammy Woods, Australian cricket all-rounder (3 Tests Australia, 3 England, 1 x 50, 10 wickets; Somerset CCC) and rugby union flanker (13 caps England, 5 as captain), dies at 64
  • 1934-03-24 William Donne, English cricket batsman, (Olympic gold 1900) and administrator (President England Rugby Football Union), dies at 58
  • 1934-09-02 James Allan, New Zealand rugby union player All Black, dies at 73
  • 1940-03-29 Alexander Obolensky, Russian prince and English rugby union winger (4 caps; Leicester Tigers RUFC, Oxford Uni RFC), dies in an aircraft training accident for RAF at 24
  • 1944-08-05 Maurice Turnbull, Welsh cricketer (England) rugby player (Wales), dies fighting in WWII at 38
  • 1946-02-27 James Cecil Parke, Irish tennis player (Australasian C'ship singles & doubles, Davis Cup 1912; Wimbledon doubles 1914) and rugby union centre (20 caps; Leinster Rugby), dies at 64
  • 1948-09-11 Albert Powell, South African cricketer and Rugby player (one Test South Africa v England 1898-99), dies at 75
  • 1953-12-02 Reginald "Snowy" Baker, Australian boxer (Olympic silver middleweight 1908), rugby union halfback (2 caps) and actor (The Sword of Valor), dies at 69
  • 1959-06-02 Max Rousié, French rugby footballer, dies in a car crash at 46
  • 1961-10-02 Reggie Spooner, English cricket batsman (10 Tests; dual cricket/rugby union international), dies at 80
  • 1963-07-10 Teddy Wakelam, English sports broadcaster (BBC) and rugby union player (captain Harlequin RFC), dies at 70
  • 1965-09-26 Otto Nothling, Australian rugby union player and cricketer (did next to nothling in Aust), dies at 65
  • 1971-05-12 Johnny Taylor, Australian cricket batsman (20 Tests; 1 x 100, 8 x 50) and rugby union fly-half (2 caps), dies at 75
  • 1978-03-17 George Dickinson, New Zealand cricket fast bowler (3 Tests, 8 wickets; Otago, Wellington) and rugby union five-eighth (NZ 5 x tour matches; Otago RFU), dies at 75
  • 1979-07-24 Greg Davis, Australian rugby union flanker (39 Tests, 16 as captain; NSW, Drummoyne DRFC), dies from a brain tumour at 39
  • 1985-12-31 Mal Matheson, New Zealand cricket fast bowler (2 Tests) and rugby union Test referee (Australia v NZ 1946), dies at 79
  • 1986-06-27 George Nepia, New Zealand rugby player, dies at 81
  • 1987-02-13 Milford "Curly" Page, New Zealand cricket batsman and captain (14 Tests, 1 x 100, 2x 50, 5 wickets) and rugby union halfback (Canterbury RU), dies at 84
  • 1993-01-04 Daniel H Craven, South African rugby coach, dies
  • 1993-03-07 Tony Harris, South African cricket batsman (3 Tests, 1 x 50; Transvaal) and rugby union five-eighth (5 Tests), dies at 76
  • 1995-11-01 Alun Pask, Welsh rugby union flanker (26 caps; British Lions 8 caps; Abertillery), dies at 58
  • 1996-03-14 Dewi Bebb, Welsh rugby union winger (34 Tests Wales, 8 British & Irish Lions; Swansea RFC) and journalist, dies at 57
  • 1996-09-05 Clem Thomas, Welsh rugby union flanker (26 Tests, 9 as captain; Cambridge Uni RFC, Brynamman, Swansea, London Welsh, Harlequins) and journalist (The Observer), dies at 67 dies at 67
  • 1997-01-01 John Burgess, English rugby coach and administrator (England coach 1971-75; RFU President 1987-88), dies at 71
  • 1998-04-22 Kitch Christie, South African rugby coach, dies at 58
  • 1999-01-19 Ivan Francescato, Italian rugby union footballer (b. 1967)
  • 1999-10-22 Martin Donnelly, New Zealand cricket batsman (7 Tests, 1 x 100, 4 x 50, HS 206; Wellington, Canterbury) and rugby union centre (1 Test England 1947), dies at 82
  • 2004-05-11 Mick Doyle, Irish rugby union footballer and coach, dies at 64
  • 2005-01-24 Chalkie White, English rugby union coach (b. 1929)
  • 2005-12-17 Jacques Fouroux, French rugby union scrum-half and captain (27 Tests; US Cognac, La Voulte, FC Auch) and coach (France 1981–1990), dies of a heart attack at 58
  • 2006-05-26 Kevin O'Flanagan, Irish rugby union winger (1 Test; London Irish RFC), soccer striker (FAI 10 caps; Ireland 3 caps) and administrator (International Olympic Committee 1976-94), dies at 86
  • 2006-06-02 Keith Smith, English professional rugby player (b. 1952)
  • 2007-06-26 Joey Sadler, All Black rugby player (b. 1914)
  • 2007-10-31 Ray Gravell, Welsh rugby union footballer (Wales and the British Lions), dies of a heart attack at 56
  • 2007-11-23 Pat Walsh, New Zealand rugby union utility back (13 Tests; Auckland, Counties) and All Black selector 1969-71, dies at 71
  • 2008-08-13 Roy Prosser, Australian rugby union prop (25 caps; Northern Suburbs), dies at 66
  • 2008-12-13 John Drake, New Zealand rugby union footballer (b. 1959)
  • 2009-03-22 Leon Walker, Wakefield Wildcats Rugby Player (b. 1988)
  • 2009-04-06 Shawn Mackay, Brumbies rugby player (b. 1982)
  • 2010-01-19 Bill McLaren, Scottish rugby commentator known as "the voice of rugby", dies at 86
  • 2010-06-17 Andy Ripley, English rugby union #8 (24 caps; British Lions 1974), dies from prostate cancer at 62
  • 2010-08-01 Eric Tindill, New Zealand rugby union halfback (1 cap; Wellington RFU), cricket wicketkeeper (5 Tests, 7 dismissals) and international umpire (1 Test), dies at 99
  • 2012-03-10 Richard White, New Zealand rugby union lock (23 Tests; Poverty Bay RFU), dies at 86
  • 2012-03-13 Jock Hobbs, New Zealand rugby union flanker and captain (21 Tests; Canterbury RU; Chairman NZRFU 2002-10), dies from leukemia at 52
  • 2012-10-22 Wilson Whineray, New Zealand rugby union prop (32 Tests [30 as captain]; Auckland RFU), dies at 77
  • 2012-11-16 Bob Scott, New Zealand rugby union fullback (17 Tests; Auckland RU), dies at 91
  • 2015-06-05 Jerry Collins, New Zealand rugby union flanker, #8 (48 caps; Wellington Hurricanes, Toulon, Ospreys, Narbonne), dies in a car crash at 34

Jonah Lomu (1975-2015)

2015-11-18 New Zealand rugby union winger (youngest ever All Black, 63 internationals), dies of a heart attack linked to kidney disease at 40

  • 2017-02-06 Joost van der Westhuizen, South African rugby union halfback (89 Tests; Bulls), dies of motor neurone disease at 45

Colin Meads (1936-2017)

2017-08-20 New Zealand rugby union player and All Black great known as "Pinetree", dies of pancreatic cancer at 81

  • 2017-08-28 Willie Duggan, Irish rugby union no. 8 (41 Tests Ireland, 4 British & Irish Lions; Blackrock College RFC, Sunday's Well RFC), dies from an aneurysm at 67
  • 2019-12-04 Ockie Oosthuizen, South African rugby union front rower (9 caps; Transvaal), dies from cancer at 64
  • 2019-12-07 Denis Lalanne, French sports journalist ('Le grand combat du XV de France'; 'Rugbymania: French flair attitude'), dies at 93
  • 2019-12-12 Brian Muller, New Zealand rugby union prop (14 caps; Taranaki), dies at 77
  • 2019-12-21 Sam Strahan, New Zealand rugby union lock (17 caps; Manawatū), dies at 74
  • 2020-01-02 Grant Weatherstone, Scotland rugby union winger (16 caps; Edinburgh District), dies at 88
  • 2020-01-07 André Abadie, French rugby union front rower (7 caps; SC Rieumois, SC Graulhetois, SC Albi), dies at 85
  • 2020-02-14 Garrett Fitzgerald, Irish rugby union coach and administrator (CEO Munster Rugby 1999-2019), dies at 65
  • 2020-02-17 Terry Lineen, New Zealand rugby union centre (12 caps; Auckland), dies at 84
  • 2020-03-07 Matthew Watkins, Welsh rugby union centre (18 caps; Newport, Llanelli Scarlets), dies from pelvic cancer at 41
  • 2020-04-05 Dougie Morgan, Scottish rugby union halfback (21 caps Scotland, 2 British & Irish Lions; Stewart's Melville FP), dies at 73
  • 2020-04-14 Paul Bayvel, South African rugby union scrum-half (10 caps; Transvaal), dies from cancer at 71
  • 2020-05-04 Alan Sutherland, New Zealand rugby union number 8 (10 caps; Marlborough), dies at 76
  • 2020-05-06 Steve Blackmore, Welsh rugby union prop (4 caps; Cardiff RFC), dies from a brain tumour at 58
  • 2020-06-21 Dennis Young, New Zealand rugby union hooker (22 caps; Canterbury 139 games), dies from cancer at 90
  • 2020-07-10 Corra Dirksen, South African rugby union winger (10 caps; Northern Transvaal), dies from COVID-19 complications at 82
  • 2020-07-21 Mike Sleman, English rugby union winger (31 caps, England; 1 cap British & Irish Lions 1980; Liverpool RUFC), dies at 69
  • 2020-07-29 Andy Haden, New Zealand rugby union lock (41 Tests; 117 All Black games, 8 as captain; Auckland), dies from chronic lymphocytic leukemia at 69
  • 2020-09-04 Peter Cronjé, South African rugby union center (7 caps; Transvaal, Natal), dies from cancer at 70
  • 2020-09-28 Hiroki Yuhara, Japanese rugby union hooker (22 caps; Toshiba Brave Lupus), dies at 36
  • 2020-10-29 J. J. Williams, Welsh rugby union winger (30 caps Wales, 7 British & Irish Lions; Grand Slam 1976, 78), dies at 72
  • 2020-11-19 André Quilis, French rugby union flanker (5 caps; RC Narbonne), dies at 79
  • 2020-11-22 Ray Prosser, Welsh rugby union prop (22 caps Wales, 1 British & Irish Lions; Pontypool) and coach (Pontypool RFC 1969-87), dies at 93
  • 2020-11-24 Christophe Dominici, French rugby union winger (65 caps; Stade Français), dies from suicide at 48
  • 2020-12-09 Ray Hunter, Northern Irish cricket all-rounder (28 international matches) and rugby union centre (10 Tests; British & Irish Lions 1962; Portadown RFC), dies at 82
  • 2020-12-15 Jean-Pierre Lux, French rugby union centre (42 caps; US Tyrosse, US Dax) and administrator (President European Rugby Cup 1999-2014), dies at 74
  • 2021-01-13 Hannes Viljoen, South African rugby union winger (3 caps; Natal), dies at 77
  • 2021-01-22 Nick Drake-Lee, English rugby union prop (8 caps; Leicester Tigers), dies at 78
  • 2021-01-26 Alan Ashcroft, English rugby union number 8 (16 caps England, 2 caps British & Irish Lions; Waterloo FC), dies at 90
  • 2021-01-26 Peter Thorburn, New Zealand rugby union coach (North Harbour, NZ sevens, Bristol RFC, United States), dies at 81
  • 2021-02-03 Jean-Pierre Bastiat, French rugby union lock (32 Tests; US Dax), dies from a stroke at 71
  • 2021-02-05 John Pullin, English rugby union hooker (42 caps; British Lions 7 caps; Bristol RFC), dies at 79
  • 2021-02-08 David Egerton, English rugby union #8 (7 caps; Bath Rugby) and broadcaster (BBC), dies from COVID-19 at 59
  • 2021-02-11 Phil Horrocks-Taylor, English rugby union fly half (9 caps England, 1 British & Irish Lions; Leicester Tigers), dies at 86
  • 2021-02-24 Gary Halpin, Irish rugby union prop (11 caps; Wanderers F.C, Leinster, London Irish, Harlequins), dies at 55
  • 2021-04-11 Marco Bollesan, Italian rugby union number 8 (47 caps; CUS Genova, Partenope) and coach (Italy 1985-88), dies at 79
  • 2021-04-11 Massimo Cuttitta, Italian rugby union prop (69 caps [captain 16]; Milano, Harlequins, Bologna), dies from COVID-19 at 54
  • 2021-04-16 John Dawes, Welsh rugby union centre (22 caps Wales, 4 caps British & Irish Lions; London Welsh; Barbarians), dies at 80
  • 2021-05-17 Héctor Silva, Argentine rugby union number 8 (24 caps; Los Tilos) and coach (Argentina 1985-87), dies from COVID-19 at 76
  • 2021-06-26 Marcelo Campo, Argentine rugby union winger (20 Tests Argentina, 6 South America; Pueyrredón SC), dies from a heart attack at 63
  • 2021-07-01 Marcel Puget, French rugby union halfback and captain (17 Tests; CA Brive, Stade Toulousain, Stade Rodez Aveyron), dies from Alzheimer's disease at 80
  • 2021-07-23 Tito Lupini, Italian rugby union prop (11 Tests; Rovigo) and coach (Rovigo), dies from COVID-19 at 65