Even though rugby is not an extremely popular sport in the world, it has become the favourite one for many Londoners. Residents of the city enjoy watching various competitions and also like to play this game themselves. Moreover, the city can boast of a large number of famous athletes who represent the country on the world stage. How did this sport develop? What are its main features? Does its popularity really exceed all limits in the city? Learn more at Ilondon.
The first steps towards rugby popularisation in the city
The history of rugby development in London begins with the emergence of the oldest sports clubs in England, such as Barnes Rugby Football Club. This sports organisation played an important role in the development of football in the city, but its contribution to rugby history was much greater. The club was founded in the 1920s. Another even more important organisation that is also directly related to the development of rugby is Blackheath F.C. It was created in 1858 and was engaged in football for some time. This club helped organise the world’s first international rugby match, which took place in 1871. Later, its activities led to the creation of the Rugby Football Union, which marked the rapid development of this sport in London.
The development of rugby in modern London
Nowadays, there are many rugby teams of the National League level in London. Harlequins and Saracens are among the most successful and famous ones. Harlequins was founded in 1866 (as a football club). Its permanent training ground is Twickenham Stoop Stadium. The club’s players are highly professional and have repeatedly proven it to the whole world. The Saracens club was established a little later (in 1876), but it in no way affected its success in the competition. This sports organisation is located in the northern district of London and mainly trains at the stadium of the Barnet Copthall sports venue. Among their most successful match results are a six-time victory at the English Premiership and a three-time championship at the RFU Championship. The athletes also became European champions three times (in 2016, 2017 and 2019). The history of London Welsh Rugby Club is interesting too. This team is extremely unpredictable because every season they either impress everyone with their excellence or do not show a sufficient level for participation in more serious competitions. Despite all of this, they make up a significant part of the city’s rugby life.
The famous Twickenham Stadium, located in the suburbs of London, also plays an important role in the development of this sport. This place is considered to be England’s national rugby stadium. This sports location often hosts matches between Cambridge and Oxford. England play their home matches here during the Six Nations Championship. The stadium hosted the 1991 Rugby World Cup and is also a frequent venue for European-level competitions. Moreover, this place hosts events dedicated to other sports. Sometimes, the stadium is used as a concert venue. Its interior and exterior are impressive. The stadium is large and can accommodate 82,000 spectators. Thus, it is the second-largest stadium in Great Britain. Its greatness reminds visitors of the global level of events taking place there, as well as pushes professional athletes to conquer new heights.