Rugby · Interesting Facts
Chapter 1: History & Origins
10 parts · 10 tests · 100 facts · updated 28 October 2026 · markdown
Rugby's early story is full of curiosities. Thomas Hughes's Tom Brown's School Days came out in 1857 and was a best-seller at once. Hughes had been at Rugby School under Dr Thomas Arnold, headmaster from 1828 until his death in 1842,. William Webb Ellis, born in Salford in 1806, went from Rugby to Brasenose College, Oxford, took holy orders and died at Menton in 1872; the French Rugby Federation restored his grave and keeps it in its care.
Guy's claim rests on a fixture card from 1883-84 that marks its 40th season, while Trinity in Dublin has played on since 1854 and Blackheath, founded in 1858, is known as 'the Club'. The New Zealand Natives played 107 matches between June 1888 and August 1889 and won 78. Edgar Mobbs led his men forward at Loos by kicking a ball ahead of them, and the Mobbs Memorial Match was first played in 1921. In California, Stanford and Berkeley took up rugby after deaths and injuries in American football caused a national outcry, until California went back to football in 1915. The Welsh union was founded at the Castle Hotel in Neath on 12 March 1881,.
The facts below cover the novel, Webb Ellis's life, the oldest clubs, the Natives' tour, rugby in both World Wars, the American detour, old laws and customs, the founding of the national unions and the Hall of Fame.
1.11Tom Brown's School Days
The novel that carried the Rugby School game to readers all over the world.
Test 1Tom Brown's School DaysTake a test
Thomas Hughes's book came out in 1857 and was a best-seller at once.
Source: Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk) · recall
Arnold was headmaster from 1828 until his death in 1842.
Source: Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk) · recall
George MacDonald Fraser's Flashman novels began in 1969.
Source: Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk) · recall
School-house, with far fewer boys, holds out against the whole School.
Source: Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk) · recall
East, nicknamed Scud, takes the new boy under his wing.
Source: Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk) · recall
Rugby, Tennessee was planned as a colony for younger sons of English families.
Source: Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk) · recall
The football match comes in Part I; Arthur, the fight and the cricket match in Part II.
Source: Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk) · recall
1828, 1857, 1880 and 1969.
Source: Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk) · recall
The Close is the field where the school's football was played, and still is.
Source: Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk) · applied
1.12Webb Ellis Beyond the Legend
The man behind the legend: his family, Oxford, the Church and a grave on the Riviera.
Test 1Webb Ellis beyond the legendTake a test
He was born in Salford, beside Manchester, the son of an army officer.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · recall
Boys living in the town could attend Rugby School as local foundationers.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · recall
He fell in Spain, fighting Napoleon's armies.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · recall
He went up to Brasenose and took holy orders afterwards.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · recall
He played in one of the earliest University cricket matches.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · recall
McWhirter, later a co-founder of the Guinness Book of Records, tracked it down.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · recall
The FFR restored the grave and keeps it in its care.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · recall
1806 birth, schooling in Rugby, Oxford, the Church, and death at Menton in 1872.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · recall
The 1950s, 1987, 1997 and 2006.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · recall
The statue by Graham Ibbeson was unveiled in 1997.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton · applied
1.13The Oldest Clubs
Hospitals, a university and a few old boys' teams: who was first.
Test 1The oldest clubsTake a test
The date rests on a fixture card from 1883-84 that marks the club's 40th season.
Source: Dublin University Football Club, 'History' (dufc.ie); GKT Rugby Club history, King's College London (kcl.ac.uk) · recall
Guy's, King's and St Thomas' medical schools merged their clubs.
Source: Dublin University Football Club, 'History' (dufc.ie); GKT Rugby Club history, King's College London (kcl.ac.uk) · recall
Trinity concedes Guy's is older but lapsed for a time; Trinity has played on since 1854.
Source: Dublin University Football Club, 'History' (dufc.ie); GKT Rugby Club history, King's College London (kcl.ac.uk) · recall
Over 150 Trinity men have played for Ireland.
Source: Dublin University Football Club, 'History' (dufc.ie); GKT Rugby Club history, King's College London (kcl.ac.uk) · recall
The club replaced its shamrock with the university's coat of arms.
Source: Dublin University Football Club, 'History' (dufc.ie); GKT Rugby Club history, King's College London (kcl.ac.uk) · recall
Neath RFC dates from 1871, ten years before the Welsh union.
Source: The clubs' own histories (Neath RFC, Edinburgh Academical FC, Blackheath FC, Le Havre AC); Rugby Football Union records · recall
The two Edinburgh schools have kept the fixture going ever since.
Source: The clubs' own histories (Neath RFC, Edinburgh Academical FC, Blackheath FC, Le Havre AC); Rugby Football Union records · recall
1843, 1854, 1858 and 1871.
Source: The clubs' own histories (Neath RFC, Edinburgh Academical FC, Blackheath FC, Le Havre AC); Rugby Football Union records · recall
1854, 1860, 1870 and 1879.
Source: Dublin University Football Club, 'History' (dufc.ie); GKT Rugby Club history, King's College London (kcl.ac.uk) · recall
Blackheath, founded in 1858, is known as 'the Club'.
Source: The clubs' own histories (Neath RFC, Edinburgh Academical FC, Blackheath FC, Le Havre AC); Rugby Football Union records · applied
1.14The 1888-89 Natives
Fourteen months, three countries and 107 matches: the tour before the All Blacks.
Test 1The 1888-89 NativesTake a test
From Napier in June 1888 to the return home in August 1889, they played 107 matches.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · recall
They won 78, a remarkable record for so long a tour.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · recall
Warbrick organised and captained the side; injury limited him to 21 matches.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · recall
With non-Maori in the squad, 'Natives' stood for New Zealand-born players.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · recall
They also performed a haka before the match.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · recall
While team-mates screened Stoddart, whose shorts had been torn, England scored and the try stood.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · recall
George Rowland Hill was the RFU's secretary; the union then dictated the Natives' apology.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · recall
June 1888, October 1888, February 1889 and August 1889.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · recall
1888-89, 1892, 1893 and 1905.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · recall
They beat Surrey 4-1 on 3 October 1888.
Source: Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz) · applied
1.15Rugby and the First World War
Players who went to war, and the matches that still remember them.
Test 1Rugby and the First World WarTake a test
Six Scots and five Englishmen from that match were killed.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · recall
Inverleith was Scotland's ground before Murrayfield opened in 1925.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · recall
The unit, 'Mobbs' Own', joined the Northamptonshire Regiment.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · recall
The Mobbs Memorial Match was first played in 1921.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · recall
He was heir to Huntley & Palmers, the Reading biscuit makers.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · recall
Milroy served in the Black Watch and fell in 1916.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · recall
He was mortally wounded at Gravenstafel Spur, in the Passchendaele offensive.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · recall
March 1914, May 1915, July 1916 and 1921.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · recall
The first international in 1871, then Inverleith from 1899, Murrayfield from 1925.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · recall
Mobbs led his men forward at Loos by kicking a ball ahead of them.
Source: World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs · applied
1.16Rugby and the Second World War
A flying prince, services internationals and a game put on hold.
Test 1Rugby and the Second World WarTake a test
He was born in 1916 in Petrograd, now St Petersburg; his family later fled to England.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · recall
England won 13-0, their first victory over the All Blacks.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · recall
He then won a blue at Oxford.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · recall
He was killed at RAF Martlesham Heath, the first rugby international to die in the war.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · recall
Four caps, though his debut tries made him famous.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · recall
He had been recalled for a wartime match against Wales.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · recall
He lies in Ipswich War Cemetery; the statue stands in Cromwell Square.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · recall
1916, the early 1930s, January 1936 and March 1940.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · recall
January 1936, September 1939, March 1940 and May 1945.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · recall
His pace on the wing gave him the name.
Source: World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records · applied
1.17Rugby's American Detour
How two Californian universities swapped football for rugby, and what came of it.
Test 1Rugby's American detourTake a test
Deaths and injuries in football had caused a national outcry.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · recall
California returned to American football in 1915.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · recall
They won every match and conceded only six points.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · recall
The American side was built around the two Californian rugby universities.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · recall
He won with Australasia in 1908 and with the United States in 1920.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · recall
The commanding officer preferred football as training for soldiers.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · recall
The Olympic Club fielded rugby sides in the Californian rugby years.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · recall
1908, 1915, 1920 and 1924.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · recall
1906, 1913 and 1918.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · recall
Stanford and the University of California, Berkeley.
Source: Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour · applied
1.18Old Laws and Customs
Scrum shapes, kicking to touch and the first replacements: how the game used to look.
Test 1Old laws and customsTake a test
Dave Gallaher played the role on the 1905 tour, much to his opponents' annoyance.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · recall
The International Board required a three-man front row.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · recall
The first five-eighth wears 10 and the second wears 12.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · recall
Kicking out on the full was allowed only from behind your own 25-yard line.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · recall
Before then a team played on a man short if someone was hurt.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · recall
Gibson came on for the injured Barry John in Pretoria.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · recall
Hookers took over the throw from the 1970s.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · recall
1905, the 1930s, 1968 and 1996.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · recall
In New Zealand terms: 9, 10, 12 and 13.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · recall
The 2-3-2 scrum with a wing forward was New Zealand's trademark.
Source: World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour · applied
1.19Where the Unions Were Born
Hotel rooms, a university and a merger: how the national unions began.
Test 1Where the unions were bornTake a test
The meeting was held in Neath on 12 March 1881.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · recall
It became the Scottish Rugby Union in 1924.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · recall
The Irish Football Union and the Northern Football Union of Ireland joined forces.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · recall
Before 1919 French rugby was run by a multi-sport body, the USFSA.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · recall
The Australian Rugby Football Union dates from 1949.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · recall
Before 1975 American rugby had no national body.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · recall
It became the Unión Argentina de Rugby in 1951.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · recall
1873, 1879, 1881, 1889 and 1892.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · recall
1919, 1926, 1928, 1949 and 1975.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · recall
The meeting was at the Castle Hotel, Neath.
Source: Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby · applied
1.20The Hall of Fame
How rugby's Hall of Fame began, where it lived and whom it honours.
Test 1The Hall of FameTake a test
The first inductions were made at the IRB awards in 2006.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · recall
The IRB held its 2006 awards in Glasgow.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · recall
Rugby School went in alongside William Webb Ellis.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · recall
It was housed at the Rugby Art Gallery, Museum and Library.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · recall
Inductions have been held every year except 2010.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · recall
Between the semi-finals of the 2021 Women's Rugby World Cup in New Zealand.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · recall
They organised the 1991 tournament in Wales.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · recall
2006, 2010, 2016 and 2022.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · recall
1991, 2006, 2018 and 2022.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · recall
The six women of 2022 took the total to 160.
Source: World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers · applied
Questions people ask
- When was Tom Brown's School Days published?
- Thomas Hughes's novel came out in 1857 and was a best-seller at once. Hughes had been at Rugby School under Dr Thomas Arnold in the 1830s.
- Where is William Webb Ellis buried?
- He died at Menton, on the Riviera, in 1872. The French Rugby Federation restored his grave and keeps it in its care.
- Which is the oldest rugby club in the world?
- Guy's bases its date on a fixture card from 1883-84 that marks the club's 40th season. Trinity in Dublin concedes Guy's is older but lapsed for a time, while Trinity has played on since 1854.
- Who were the New Zealand Natives of 1888-89?
- A touring side that played 107 matches from June 1888 to August 1889 and won 78 of them. With non-Maori in the squad, 'Natives' stood for New Zealand-born players.
- Who was the first rugby international to die in the Second World War?
- Prince Alexander Obolensky, born in Petrograd in 1916, was killed at RAF Martlesham Heath. He lies in Ipswich War Cemetery, and his statue stands in Cromwell Square.
- Why did Stanford and Berkeley switch to rugby?
- Deaths and injuries in American football had caused a national outcry. California returned to American football in 1915.
- When did rugby's Hall of Fame begin?
- The first inductions were made at the IRB awards in Glasgow in 2006, when Rugby School went in alongside William Webb Ellis. Inductions have been held every year since except 2010.
Sources
Primary/official sources only, no Wikipedia citations: World Rugby and its Hall of Fame and records, the World Rugby Museum at Twickenham, the unions' own histories (RFU, WRU, SRU, IRFU, FFR, NZR, SA Rugby, Rugby Australia), Rugby School, the clubs' and competitions' own histories, the IOC, Guinness World Records and named reputable media.
- Thomas Hughes, Tom Brown's School Days (Macmillan, 1857); Rugby School history pages (rugbyschool.co.uk)10
- World Rugby Museum, Twickenham; Rugby School archives on William Webb Ellis; French Rugby Federation on his grave at Menton10
- Museum of New Zealand Te Papa Tongarewa, 'Before the All Blacks: The New Zealand Natives'; NZHistory, 'Unsporting behaviour' (nzhistory.govt.nz)10
- World Rugby Museum, Twickenham, 'From the Vaults'; Scottish Rugby and RFU war memorial records; Northampton Saints history of Edgar Mobbs10
- World Rugby Museum, 'Remembering Prince Alexander Obolensky' (worldrugbymuseum.com); RFU and Welsh Rugby Union wartime records10
- Stanford University and University of California athletics histories of the 'Big Game' rugby years 1906-1914; New Zealand Rugby Museum on the 1913 tour10
- World Rugby (International Rugby Board) law histories; New Zealand Rugby Museum; British & Irish Lions records of the 1968 tour10
- Founding histories of the Welsh Rugby Union, Scottish Rugby, the IRFU, the FFR, SA Rugby, New Zealand Rugby, Rugby Australia, the JRFU, the FIR and USA Rugby10
- World Rugby, Hall of Fame announcements (world.rugby): inaugural 2006 induction, 2022 class of women's rugby pioneers10
- Dublin University Football Club, 'History' (dufc.ie); GKT Rugby Club history, King's College London (kcl.ac.uk)6
- The clubs' own histories (Neath RFC, Edinburgh Academical FC, Blackheath FC, Le Havre AC); Rugby Football Union records4