The first international rugby football match, when Scotland defeats England in Edinburgh at Raeburn Place.

Rugby football has a long and interesting history, dating back to the early 19th century in England. The game was originally developed at Rugby School, a boarding school in Warwickshire, England, in 1823. Legend has it that the game was invented when a student named William Webb Ellis picked up the ball during a game of soccer and ran with it.

The first official rugby football match was played in 1871 between England and Scotland, and the sport quickly spread throughout the British Empire. The first international rugby football tournament, now known as the Six Nations, was held in 1883, and the first Rugby World Cup was held in 1987.

Rugby football has gone through many changes and transformations over the years. In the early days, the game was played with an oval ball and no set rules. It wasn’t until 1845 that the first written rules were established, and even then, the rules continued to evolve.

In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, rugby football became increasingly popular in other parts of the world, particularly in the southern hemisphere. New Zealand and South Africa both established their own national rugby teams in the early 20th century, and the sport soon became a source of national pride and identity.

Today, rugby football is played at all levels, from amateur clubs to international teams. The sport has become known for its physicality and athleticism, as well as its emphasis on teamwork and sportsmanship. Despite its popularity, rugby football continues to evolve and change, with new rules and techniques being developed all the time.