The 1883 Home Nations Championship was the inaugural series of the rugby union Home Nations Championship. Five matches were played between 16 December 1882 and 3 March 1883. It was contested by
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...
,
Ireland
Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...
,
Scotland
Scotland (, ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a Anglo-Scottish border, border with England to the southeast ...
, and
Wales
Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the Bristol Channel to the south. It had a population in ...
.
England were the inaugural winners, and in beating the other three nations became the first winners of the
Triple Crown
Triple Crown may refer to:
Sports Horse racing
* Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
* Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing (United States)
** Triple Crown Trophy
** Triple Crown Productions
* Canadian Triple Crown of Thoroughbred Racing
* Tri ...
although the phrase was not in use at the time (actually not before 1894).
Table
Results
Scoring system
The matches for this season were decided on goals scored. A goal was awarded for a successful conversion after a
try
Try or TRY may refer to:
Music Albums
* ''Try!'', an album by the John Mayer Trio
* ''Try'' (Bebo Norman album) (2014) Songs
* "Try" (Blue Rodeo song) (1987)
* "Try" (Colbie Caillat song) (2014)
* "Try" (Nelly Furtado song) (2004)
* " Try (Ju ...
, for a dropped goal or for a
goal from mark A goal from mark is a former scoring move in rugby football. It occurred when a player " marked" the ball by making a fair catch and shouting "mark". From this position the player could not be tackled. The player then had the option of a free kick, ...
. If a game was drawn, any unconverted tries were tallied to give a winner. If there was still no clear winner, the match was declared a draw.
Llandovery College
, image = Llandovery College (geograph 5927072).jpg
, image_size =
, motto = Gwell Dysg Na Golud( here areno riches better than learning)
, established =
, closed =
, type = Independent day and bo ...
Llanelli
Llanelli (" St Elli's Parish"; ) is a market town and the largest community in Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed, Wales. It is located on the Loughor estuary north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarth ...
Cardiff
Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
),
James Clare James Clare may refer to:
* James Clare (rugby union) (1857–1930)
* James Clare (rugby league) (born 1991)
* Jimmy Clare (born 1959), English footballer
See also
* James Sabben-Clare
James Sabben-Clare (9 September 1941–8 March 2017) wa ...
(
Cardiff
Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
Edward Treharne
Edward Llewellyn TreharneHarris (1997), pg 22. (22 March 1862 – 29 December 1904) Scrum.com was a Welsh (
Pontypridd
() ( colloquially: Ponty) is a town and a community in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Wales.
Geography
comprises the electoral wards of , Hawthorn, Pontypridd Town, 'Rhondda', Rhydyfelin Central/Ilan ( Rhydfelen), Trallwng ( Trallwn) and Treforest (). ...
Llanelli
Llanelli (" St Elli's Parish"; ) is a market town and the largest community in Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed, Wales. It is located on the Loughor estuary north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarth ...
Tom Clapp
Tom Clapp (25 October 1858 – 15 October 1933) was an English-born international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport and Nantyglo RFC. He won 14 caps for Wales and captained the team on three occasions. Clapp was the first ...
(
Nantyglo
Nantyglo () is a village in the ancient parish of Aberystruth and county of Monmouth situated deep within the South Wales Valleys between Blaina and Brynmawr in the county borough of Blaenau Gwent.
Governance
An electoral ward in the same n ...
George Frederick Harding
George Frederick Harding JP (1858 – 8 July 1927) was an English-born international rugby union player who played club rugby for Newport and international rugby for Wales. Harding was a member of the very first Wales international team t ...
Alfred Cattell
Alfred Cattell (27 April 1857 – 10 September 1933) was an English-born international rugby union player for Wales who in his later life became Lord Mayor of Sheffield. As a rugby player Cattell represented Oxford UniversityJenkins (1991) ...
(
Llanelli
Llanelli (" St Elli's Parish"; ) is a market town and the largest community in Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed, Wales. It is located on the Loughor estuary north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarth ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
),
Arthur Evanson
Arthur McDonnell Evanson (15 September 1859 – 31 December 1934) was a Welsh born rugby union player who won four caps between 1882 and 1884 for the England national rugby union team.
Life
Evanson was born in Llansoy, Monmouthshire, Wales. He ...
(
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Cambridge University
The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by Henry III of England, Henry III in 1231, Cambridge is the world' ...
),
Graham Standing
Graham Standing (20 December 1860 – 23 October 1909) was a rugby union international who represented England national rugby union team, England from 1882 to 1883.
Early life
Graham Standing was born on 20 December 1860 in Clapham, Surrey ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
), Robert Henderson ( Blackheath), GT Thomson ( Halifax), ET Gurdon ( Richmond) capt.
England started off their winning campaign by beating the newest of the home nations, Wales. This was the second meeting between the two countries and the first rugby union international hosted on Welsh soil.Godwin (1984), page 2. The match is also recognised as the first match where brothers of former international were also capped; England's
Arthur Evanson
Arthur McDonnell Evanson (15 September 1859 – 31 December 1934) was a Welsh born rugby union player who won four caps between 1882 and 1884 for the England national rugby union team.
Life
Evanson was born in Llansoy, Monmouthshire, Wales. He ...
and Arthur Taylor, brothers of Wyndham Evanson and Henry Taylor. Another first was referee A Herbert, the first Welshman to officiate an international rugby union match.
After the humiliation of the first meeting between the two sides, when Wales lost by a margin of 13 tries, this game was seen as a vast improvement in play. The 'competent'Griffiths (1987), page 1:5 . Welsh team were undone by Australian Oxford scholar Gregory Wade, whose wing play the Welsh team had difficulty stopping.
----
John Jamieson
John Jamieson (3 March 1759 – 12 July 1838) was a Scottish minister of religion, lexicographer, philologist and antiquary. His most important work is the ''Dictionary of the Scottish Language''.
Life
He was born in Glasgow in March 1759 the ...
William Andrew Walls
William Andrew Walls (29 December 1859 – 19 February 1936) was a Scotland international rugby union player. He became the 38th President of the Scottish Rugby Union.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
He played as a forward for Glasgow Acad ...
Llandovery College
, image = Llandovery College (geograph 5927072).jpg
, image_size =
, motto = Gwell Dysg Na Golud( here areno riches better than learning)
, established =
, closed =
, type = Independent day and bo ...
Cardiff
Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
George Frederick Harding
George Frederick Harding JP (1858 – 8 July 1927) was an English-born international rugby union player who played club rugby for Newport and international rugby for Wales. Harding was a member of the very first Wales international team t ...
Cardiff
Cardiff (; cy, Caerdydd ) is the capital and largest city of Wales. It forms a principal area, officially known as the City and County of Cardiff ( cy, Dinas a Sir Caerdydd, links=no), and the city is the eleventh-largest in the United Kingd ...
Edinburgh University
The University of Edinburgh ( sco, University o Edinburgh, gd, Oilthigh Dhùn Èideann; abbreviated as ''Edin.'' in Post-nominal letters, post-nominals) is a Public university, public research university based in Edinburgh, Scotland. Granted ...
Llanelli
Llanelli (" St Elli's Parish"; ) is a market town and the largest community in Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed, Wales. It is located on the Loughor estuary north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarth ...
Tom Clapp
Tom Clapp (25 October 1858 – 15 October 1933) was an English-born international rugby union forward who played club rugby for Newport and Nantyglo RFC. He won 14 caps for Wales and captained the team on three occasions. Clapp was the first ...
(
Nantyglo
Nantyglo () is a village in the ancient parish of Aberystruth and county of Monmouth situated deep within the South Wales Valleys between Blaina and Brynmawr in the county borough of Blaenau Gwent.
Governance
An electoral ward in the same n ...
Alfred Cattell
Alfred Cattell (27 April 1857 – 10 September 1933) was an English-born international rugby union player for Wales who in his later life became Lord Mayor of Sheffield. As a rugby player Cattell represented Oxford UniversityJenkins (1991) ...
(
Llanelli
Llanelli (" St Elli's Parish"; ) is a market town and the largest community in Carmarthenshire and the preserved county of Dyfed, Wales. It is located on the Loughor estuary north-west of Swansea and south-east of the county town, Carmarth ...
), Thomas Baker Jones ( Newport), George Morris ( Swansea), Horace Lyne ( Newport)
This was the very first time the home nations of Scotland and Wales had faced each other in a rugby union game. Wales lost this opening game, and it would take another six attempts for the Welsh to be victorious over the Scots.
Wales turned up for the game one man short, so were forced to draft in Dr. A. Griffin of Edinburgh University as a replacement forward. The match also saw two Championship firsts; the first siblings to play in a Championship match AJ Walker and JG Walker, and also the first player to leave the field of play due to injury, when JG Walker twisted his knee in the first 15 minutes. This game also saw the last international match of the season for A.R. Don 'Bunny' Wauchope, when the talismanic Scot was incapacitated by a knee injury.Griffiths (1987), page 2:5 .
----
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
),
Arthur Evanson
Arthur McDonnell Evanson (15 September 1859 – 31 December 1934) was a Welsh born rugby union player who won four caps between 1882 and 1884 for the England national rugby union team.
Life
Evanson was born in Llansoy, Monmouthshire, Wales. He ...
(
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Birkenhead Park
Birkenhead Park is a major public park located in the centre of Birkenhead, Merseyside, England. It was designed by Joseph Paxton and opened on 5 April 1847. It is generally acknowledged as the first publicly funded civic park in the world. Th ...
Cambridge University
The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by Henry III of England, Henry III in 1231, Cambridge is the world' ...
),
Graham Standing
Graham Standing (20 December 1860 – 23 October 1909) was a rugby union international who represented England national rugby union team, England from 1882 to 1883.
Early life
Graham Standing was born on 20 December 1860 in Clapham, Surrey ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Cambridge University
The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by Henry III of England, Henry III in 1231, Cambridge is the world' ...
Queen's College, Belfast
, mottoeng = For so much, what shall we give back?
, top_free_label =
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Dublin University
The University of Dublin ( ga, Ollscoil Átha Cliath), corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin, is a university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the degree-awarding body for Trinity College Dubl ...
), WW Fletcher (Kingstown), JP Warren (Kingstown), A Millar (Kingstown), SAM Bruce ( NIFC), AJ Forrest ( Wanderers), JW Taylor ( NIFC), DF Moore ( Wanderers), H King (
Dublin University
The University of Dublin ( ga, Ollscoil Átha Cliath), corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin, is a university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the degree-awarding body for Trinity College Dubl ...
), JA McDonald (Methodist College, Belfast), RW Hughes ( NIFC), FS Heuston (Kingstown), G Scriven (
Dublin University
The University of Dublin ( ga, Ollscoil Átha Cliath), corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin, is a university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the degree-awarding body for Trinity College Dubl ...
) capt.
Although the first meeting in the Championship between the countries, this was the ninth time Ireland and England had faced each other in an international rugby union game; and the ninth failure by the Irish to beat England.
Wade
Wade, WADE, or Wades may refer to:
Places in the United States
* Wade, California, a former settlement
* Wade, Maine, a town
* Wade, Mississippi, a census-designated place
* Wade, North Carolina, a town
* Wade, Ohio, an unincorporated communi ...
was again the standout player for the English. However, Ireland played most of the game with 14 men, after R.W. Hughes withdrew after suffering terrible sea-sickness on the notoriously rough voyage across the
Irish Sea
The Irish Sea or , gv, Y Keayn Yernagh, sco, Erse Sie, gd, Muir Èireann , Ulster-Scots: ''Airish Sea'', cy, Môr Iwerddon . is an extensive body of water that separates the islands of Ireland and Great Britain. It is linked to the Ce ...
.Godwin (1984), page 3. For Ireland four players were 'one cap' internationals, Fletcher, Warren, Forrest and Millar.
----
Ireland vs. Scotland
Ireland: JWR Morrow (
Queen's College, Belfast
, mottoeng = For so much, what shall we give back?
, top_free_label =
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, closed =
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, parent = ...
), RE McLean ( NIFC), WW Pike (Kingstown), AM Whitestone (
Dublin University
The University of Dublin ( ga, Ollscoil Átha Cliath), corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin, is a university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the degree-awarding body for Trinity College Dubl ...
), SR Collier (
Queen's College, Belfast
, mottoeng = For so much, what shall we give back?
, top_free_label =
, top_free =
, top_free_label1 =
, top_free1 =
, top_free_label2 =
, top_free2 =
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), WA Wallis ( Wanderers), SAM Bruce ( NIFC), R Nelson (
Queen's College, Belfast
, mottoeng = For so much, what shall we give back?
, top_free_label =
, top_free =
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), JW Taylor ( NIFC), DF Moore ( Wanderers), H King (
Dublin University
The University of Dublin ( ga, Ollscoil Átha Cliath), corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin, is a university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the degree-awarding body for Trinity College Dubl ...
), JA McDonald (Methodist College, Belfast), RW Hughes ( NIFC), FS Heuston (Kingstown), G Scriven (
Dublin University
The University of Dublin ( ga, Ollscoil Átha Cliath), corporately designated the Chancellor, Doctors and Masters of the University of Dublin, is a university located in Dublin, Ireland. It is the degree-awarding body for Trinity College Dubl ...
) capt.
Scotland: JP Veitch (
Royal HSFP
Royal High School Former Pupils was a former Edinburgh rugby union club; but the club was re-formed as Barnton RFC and is now known as Royal High RFC.
Royal HSFP was a founder member of the Scottish Rugby Union, the second oldest national gove ...
Edinburgh Wanderers
Edinburgh Wanderers is a former rugby union club, founded in 1868. It was latterly a tenant of the Scottish Rugby Union, playing home fixtures at Murrayfield Stadium for nearly 75 years. In 1997 it merged with Murrayfield RFC to form Murrayfie ...
John Jamieson
John Jamieson (3 March 1759 – 12 July 1838) was a Scottish minister of religion, lexicographer, philologist and antiquary. His most important work is the ''Dictionary of the Scottish Language''.
Life
He was born in Glasgow in March 1759 the ...
William Andrew Walls
William Andrew Walls (29 December 1859 – 19 February 1936) was a Scotland international rugby union player. He became the 38th President of the Scottish Rugby Union.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
He played as a forward for Glasgow Acad ...
( Glasgow Acads)
The first meeting between the two countries in the Home Nations Championship was played on a heavily waterlogged pitch at North of Ireland's Ormeau Road. The Irish team suffered badly in the conditions and at one point were playing with just ten men due to injuries. Heavy Irish defending was the only reason the score line remained so close.
Scotland continued their practice of capping promising schoolboys with the inclusion of Marshall Reid, an 18-year-old form Loretto School.
----
John Jamieson
John Jamieson (3 March 1759 – 12 July 1838) was a Scottish minister of religion, lexicographer, philologist and antiquary. His most important work is the ''Dictionary of the Scottish Language''.
Life
He was born in Glasgow in March 1759 the ...
William Andrew Walls
William Andrew Walls (29 December 1859 – 19 February 1936) was a Scotland international rugby union player. He became the 38th President of the Scottish Rugby Union.
Rugby Union career
Amateur career
He played as a forward for Glasgow Acad ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
),
Arthur Evanson
Arthur McDonnell Evanson (15 September 1859 – 31 December 1934) was a Welsh born rugby union player who won four caps between 1882 and 1884 for the England national rugby union team.
Life
Evanson was born in Llansoy, Monmouthshire, Wales. He ...
(
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Cambridge University
The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by Henry III of England, Henry III in 1231, Cambridge is the world' ...
Oxford University
Oxford () is a city in England. It is the county town and only city of Oxfordshire. In 2020, its population was estimated at 151,584. It is north-west of London, south-east of Birmingham and north-east of Bristol. The city is home to th ...
Cambridge University
The University of Cambridge is a Public university, public collegiate university, collegiate research university in Cambridge, England. Founded in 1209 and granted a royal charter by Henry III of England, Henry III in 1231, Cambridge is the world' ...
), GT Thomson ( Halifax), ET Gurdon ( Richmond) capt.
With both England and Scotland victorious in their first two matches, this encounter became the Championship decider. England used six backs, to Scotland's five, and the tactic was successful with a narrow English win. The scoring of one of the English tries was greeted with derision by sections of the Edinburgh crowd, which was deplored by the President of the SRU at the after-game dinner.Godwin (1984), page 4.
See also
* 1881–82 Home Nations rugby union matches - details of the series of matches between the Home Nations in the year before the formal establishment of the Home Nations Championship.