Monthly Archives: December 2014

I remember when…

Posted on December 30, 2014 by

Twickenham Stadium Tour Guide Andy Bustin recalls his earliest experiences of the game and a first trip to Twickenham back in 1967… I was not ‘into’ Rugby as a child; both my father and grandfather were on the committee and … Continue reading →

Posted in Twickenham | 1 Comment

Nadolig Llawen!

Posted on December 22, 2014 by

With Christmas fast approaching I wanted to delve into our stores and see what festive cheer I could find. Hidden amongst team photographs and aerial shots of the stadium I found this Christmas postcard: Sent on Christmas Eve 1903 to … Continue reading →

Posted in Clubs, Museum Collection, Wales | 1 Comment

RUGBY DYNASTIES: The Gould and Bancroft Brothers

Posted on December 16, 2014 by

There have been many sets of brothers over the years that have played international rugby for their countries, but it was two particular sets of brothers who played pivotal parts in the rise of Welsh international rugby from 1881 to … Continue reading →

Posted in International Players, Wales | 1 Comment

The Official History of Rugby Officials

Posted on December 11, 2014 by

When the Laws of the Game of Rugby Football were agreed following the formation of the RFU in 1871, no provision was made for the use of independent arbiters. Instead the captains on either side would agree on whether an … Continue reading →

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The Varsity Match

Posted on December 8, 2014 by

The Varsity Match was first contested in 1872, a year after the first international match. It was moved permanently to Twickenham in 1921 and has remained an annual fixture ever since. Traditionally held on a Tuesday, it has more recently … Continue reading →

Posted in Clubs, Twickenham | Leave a comment

The Voice of Rugby

Posted on December 3, 2014 by

Throughout the 1970s, 1980s and 1990s Bill McLaren’s voice carried live television rugby broadcasting and he had come to be regarded as the ‘Voice of Rugby’ by the time he retired in 2000… Continue reading →

Posted in England, Scotland, Twickenham | Leave a comment

Lest We Forget – Francis Eckley Oakeley (England) 01/12/1914

Posted on December 1, 2014 by

Francis Oakeley was the fifth son of the vicar of Holy Trinity, Hereford. His father James and his mother Frances had 11 children in all. He was educated at the Cathedral School in Hereford from where he went at the … Continue reading →

Posted in England, International Players, Lest We Forget | 1 Comment