Rugby

The history of rugby union follows from various football games played long before the 19th century, but it was not until the middle of that century that laws were formulated and codified. The code of football later known as rugby union can be traced to three events: the first set of written laws in 1845; the Blackheath Club's decision to leave the The Football Association in 1863 and; the formation of the Rugby Football Union in 1871.