Rugby union in the British Isles

Rugby union is a popular sport in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland. The game was arguably invented in 1823 by William Webb Ellis, and in 1871 the English Rugby Football Union was the first national rugby football union to be founded. It is organised separately in each of these countries, and also on an all-Ireland basis.

Rugby union in the British Isles is discussed in the following articles, corresponding to the separate organisations governing the sport:

• Rugby union in England
• Rugby union in Ireland
• Rugby union in Scotland
• Rugby union in Wales

And also to the Crown Dependencies:

• Rugby union in Guernsey
• Rugby union in Jersey
• Rugby union in the Isle of Man

See also

• British and Irish Lions