It is said to have all started in 1823, at Rugby School when William Webb Ellis first picked up and ran with the ball and the game of Rugby Football was born.

These early balls were larger and rounder than today's ball and could be kicked a long distance. At that time, there was no fixed shape or size as this depended on the pig's bladder used.

In the 1870's, Rubber bladders were invented and the modern shape evolved in 1875 to improve handling and passing following the abolition of the rule that a goal had to be kicked to win a game.

Each nation had its own preferences with Australia and New Zealand favouring the pointed (Torpedo) shape and South Africa the 8-panel which offered better grip. In Britain, Ireland and France, most balls were now of 4-panel construction but 6 panels were still in use. Player pressure resulted in the balls being reduced in size by one inch by, which subsequently lead to a change in rules in 1932.

In 1871, representatives from clubs across the country met to form the Rugby Football Union, the sport’s governing body, to draw up a common code of laws.

Soon after the RFU was formed, the first rugby international was played between England and Scotland in Edinburgh on 27 March.

But as the northern clubs were allegedly offering money for players to change clubs - something the RFU did not like one bit. he game began to grow around the home nations, controversy struck in 1893.

They soon formed the Northern Rugby Football Union at a historic meeting at the George Hotel in Huddersfield in August 1895.

The organisation then changed its name to the Rugby Football League and introduced major changes to the way the game was played.

In 1904, deep in the Canterbury province of New Zealand, John Lane, Pringle Walker and Alfred Rudkin started making woolen garments. Before long, they were making uniforms for the army during the First World War, and such was their reputation for tough, durable kit, the legendary New Zealand All Blacks rugby team asked them to produce a rugby kit to play in.

Rugby boots generally have studs and for safety reasons, forwards must have studs in their boots.

 • The 8 stud is most often worn by the tight forwards (props, hooker and locks) to provide them with extra grip for scrummaging and mauling.

 • The 6 stud is worn by backs as it allows for more agility and quicker movement around the field.

Plastic "blade" studs, common in soccer, are an increasingly frequent choice among backs. The studs must be no more than 21mm length and the diameter no less than 13mm on the top. But double check the sizes to make sure. They cannot be plastic either.

On August 26, 1995 the IRB declared rugby union an "open" game and removed all restrictions on payments or benefits to those connected with the game.

Referee Signals explained

Lineout not straight

Stamping

Penalty

Crossing

Knock on

High Tackle

Handling in the ruck

Free kick

Forward pass

Diving

Holding on

Try