Formation
The estate of Coopers Hill in Surrey was bought by the India Office in 1870; and a college was built to train civil engineers to be sent to India. The college was officially opened in 1872. The rugby club was formed in 1871. In its day, the college's rugby union team, referred to by its opponents as "Cooper's Hill", was one of the most prominent rugby clubs in England. By the 1890s, the team was deemed of medium strength, and a long way behind the form of its heyday. This was put down to boys leaving school earlier than they had previously, thus the team became composed of men who were physically smaller in stature and physique than their predecessors.Marshall, Francis, ''Football; the Rugby union game'', (1892) (London Paris Melbourne, Cassell and company, limited) The engineering college closed in 1906.Notable former players
England internationalists
The following former RIE College players have representedScotland internationalists
The following former RIE College players have representedExternal links
References
{{reflist, 2 1871 establishments in England Rugby clubs established in 1871 English rugby union teams University and college rugby union clubs in England Defunct English rugby union teams 1903 disestablishments in England