In 1610, William Strachey recorded a game played by Native Americans called Pahsaheman, indicating that Native Americans had their own form of football, showcasing the early roots of the sport in North America.

In 1823, during a game of English school football at Rugby School, William Webb-Ellis is said to have picked up the ball and run with it, leading to the origin of rugby football. Despite doubts about the evidence, the story was commemorated with a plaque at the school in 1895.

In November 1839, the 1839 School House team of Rugby School became the first side to wear a uniform during a match. They wore red velvet caps, and the match was possibly watched by Princess Adelaide, daughter of the duke of Saxe-Meiningen.

By 1841, the rules and popularity of rugby had rapidly spread as former pupils of Rugby School, mainly attending Oxford and Cambridge universities, carried the game with them, necessitating standardization.

In 1843, the Guy's Hospital Football Club was formed in London by old boys from Rugby School. It is considered one of the world's first and oldest football clubs.

The first rules of Rugby were established and implemented.

The 'Cambridge Rules' for football were drawn up in 1848, contributing to the early development of rugby football.

The first rugby club in Wales was established at St David's College, Lampeter, around 1850 by Rowland Williams. This marked the early development of rugby in Wales.

In 1851, a football of the kind used at Rugby School was displayed at the Great Exhibition in London. This ball, with an ovoid shape, is now housed at the Webb Ellis Rugby Football Museum.

The only known contemporary image of William Webb Ellis was published in the Illustrated London News on April 29, 1854. This image provides a glimpse into the iconic figure associated with the inception of rugby.

In 1858, Harvard College Freshmen and Sophomores played a rugby union style 'carrying game' with hands permitted, predating the formal rugby matches using rugby union rules.

Canon George Ogilvie introduced the game of football, similar to the one played at Winchester College, at Diocesan College in Cape Town. This version of football, which included handling of the ball, is considered the beginnings of rugby in South Africa.

The first recorded game of Rugby took place in South Africa.

In 1863, the Blackheath Club decided to leave the Football Association, marking a significant event in the history of rugby football.

Sydney University founded the first Australian Rugby club.

The inaugural Canadian Rugby match was played between English Regiment officers and civilians.

Edwin Ash and Benjamin Burns published a letter in The Times suggesting the formation of a code of practice for the rugby-type game due to differing rules among clubs. A meeting attended by representatives from 21 clubs was held in London, leading to the establishment of the RFU.

Representatives from 21 clubs and schools in London or the Home Counties gathered at the Pall Mall restaurant to discuss the standardization of rules for the rugby-type game.

The first 15 player a side international game was between Ireland and England, where England emerged victorious with a score of 14-0.

The first international rugby match took place at Raeburn Place, Edinburgh, between a team selected from England and a team representing Scotland. This historic game marked the beginning of international rugby competitions.

In 1871, Scotland and England faced each other in Edinburgh in the first international rugby match. Scotland emerged victorious in this historic game, marking the beginning of international rugby competitions and leading to the formation of the Rugby Football Union (RFU).

Harvard varsity interscholastic rugby team was founded on December 6, 1872.

The Scottish Football Union, later known as SRU, was established in 1873.

The first recorded rugby match between two colleges in the United States using rugby union code rules took place on May 14, 1874, between Harvard University and McGill University.

Rugby began to be played in the Cape Colony, and the first rugby club was formed the following year, moving away from the Winchester football style. This marked the shift towards rugby in the region.

University of Pennsylvania played a rugby game against College of New Jersey (Princeton) on November 11, 1876, which was a precursor to adopting rugby union rules in their matches.

The first Rugby game with 15 players on each side was played.

Former England international William Henry Milton arrived in Cape Town and joined the Villagers club, where he played and promoted rugby. By the end of the year, Cape Town had largely transitioned from the Winchester game to rugby.

The Irish Rugby Football Union was established in 1879.

The first certain rugby match in Uruguay took place in 1880 between Uruguayans and British members of Montevideo Cricket Club (MVCC).

The Welsh Rugby Union was established in 1881.

The inaugural rugby sevens tournament was held at Lerose Football Club, introducing a shorter and faster version of the sport.

Rugby was first played in Fiji around 1884 by European and Fijian soldiers of the Native Constabulary at Ba on Viti Levu island.

Referees were permitted to use whistles and were provided with sticks for officiating rugby matches, enhancing the control and management of games.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) was established in 1886 as the governing body for rugby union. It has played a crucial role in overseeing the development and regulation of the sport globally.

In 1887, Emily Valentine established a rugby team at Portora Royal School in Enniskillen, Ireland, marking one of the earliest documented instances of women's rugby.

In 1888, the British Isles rugby team embarked on a notable tour to New Zealand and Australia, marking one of the first instances of intercontinental rugby matches. The tour was significant due to the rarity of such encounters before the era of commercial air travel.

The British Columbia and South African Rugby Football boards were established, contributing to the governance and development of rugby in their respective regions.

The Barbarians, also known as the Baa-Baas, were founded in 1890 by William Percy Carpmael in Hartlepool. The team is an elite group of players selected by invitation only, representing courage, flair, spirit, and passion in rugby.

South Africa made its international rugby debut in 1891 against a British Isles side.

In 1892, the RFU included compulsory dimensions for rugby balls for the first time in the Laws of the Game, marking a significant development in the standardization of the sport.

In 1893, Yorkshire clubs raised concerns about over-representation of southern clubs on the RFU committee and the impact on decisions related to 'broken time' payments, highlighting regional disparities in rugby governance.

On August 29, 1895, 20 clubs from Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cheshire resigned from the RFU and established the Northern Rugby Football Union at the George Hotel in Huddersfield, later known as the Rugby Football League.

In 1897, the Rugby World Cup trophy was named after William Webb Ellis, the iconic figure in the sport who is credited with the impulsive act that laid the foundation for the game of rugby.

Argentina, known as the most prominent rugby playing nation in South America, founded the Argentine Rugby Union in 1899. This marked the beginning of a long history of rugby in the country.

Rugby union was featured as an event in the Olympic Games four times in the early 1900s.

New Zealand made its international rugby debut in 1903.

Harry Hamill's account of receiving payments to represent New South Wales against England in 1904 sheds light on the issue of player compensation in rugby during that period.

In 1905, the New Zealand 1905 touring team introduced the tradition of performing a haka before each match. This team also led to the singing of the Welsh National Anthem at the start of a sporting event.

France made its international rugby debut in 1906 against New Zealand.

In 1908, eight clubs in Sydney, Australia, broke away from the union and formed the New South Wales Rugby League, marking a significant development in the history of rugby in Australia.

Australia emerged victorious by beating England 9-3 Blackheath in London on January 9, 1909.

The first international Test match at Twickenham took place between England and Wales in front of 22,000 fans. The rivalry between these two teams in the Guinness Six Nations is a highly anticipated event.

University of Pennsylvania continued playing rugby per rugby union code rules, even after starting to play American gridiron football, as evidenced by an article in the Daily Pennsylvanian on October 22, 1910.

Led by Cal and Stanford, several West Coast universities, including Nevada, St. Mary's, Santa Clara, and USC, transitioned from American football to playing rugby union.

Stanford University defeated the Australian national team 13–12 on 16 October 1912 in a historic match that raised America's status in rugby.

Fiji established its rugby union in 1913.

Rugby has a longstanding history in Namibia dating back to 1915, with the national team qualifying for the World Cup multiple times since 1999.

Morocco established its rugby union in 1916.

During World War I in 1917, a significant women's rugby match took place between Cardiff Ladies and Newport Ladies, providing primary evidence of early women's rugby games.

In 1919, a rugby tournament was arranged between Forces teams in Britain after World War I. The tournament was won by the New Zealand Army.

At the 1920 Summer Olympics in Antwerp, a United States team predominantly from Stanford University secured the gold medal in rugby union by defeating France.

The international Rugby Board introduced Numbers on Jerseys on June 13, 1921.

The formation of Rugby League in 1922 was a result of the NRFU's establishment, introducing new rules like the six-tackle rule and emphasizing speed and agility. It gained popularity in northern England and parts of Australia.

The first rugby club, Northern RFC, was formed in Trinidad and Tobago in 1923, marking the early beginnings of rugby in the country.

In 1924, a group of Stanford rugby players achieved Olympic success by beating France to win a gold medal, despite facing challenges such as initial denial of entrance and a hostile crowd.

In 1926, England's major tournament, the Middlesex Sevens, was set up by Dr J.A. Russell-Cargill. This tournament played a significant role in the development of rugby sevens outside of Scotland.

By 1927, Trinidad and Tobago had a national rugby team actively playing the sport, contributing to the growth of rugby in the region.

Italy became the most recent addition to the 6 Nations in 1928.

Italy made its international rugby debut in 1929 against Spain.

The European Cup started in 1930, outside the Five Nations, but was interrupted by WWII.

The Bledisloe Cup originated in 1931 when New Zealand defeated Australia 20-13 in Auckland. It was initiated by the Governor-General of New Zealand, Lord Bledisloe.

Canada and Japan made their international rugby debuts against each other in 1932.

Due to a cancelled tour to British Guiana in 1933, Trinidad and Tobago switched their venue to Barbados, introducing rugby to the island nation.

In 1934, the French Rugby Federation initiated the formation of FIRA (Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur) to organize rugby union outside the authority of the IRB. The founding members included Italy, Romania, Netherlands, Catalonia, Portugal, Czechoslovakia, and Sweden.

A manual focusing on the practice and tactics of Rugby Football from 1938.

In 1939, the Californian Rugby Football Union expressed interest in switching to rugby league, but due to World War II, the transition did not materialize.

A match between Romania and Italy took place in Bucharest during Italy's tour in 1940.

Italy played against Germany in Stuttgart during their tour in 1940.

Romania faced Italy in Milan during their tour in 1942.

An article from TIME in 1947 discusses the situation of amateurism in rugby in Ontario.

In 1948, a new rule was implemented in Rugby where Drop Goals points were reduced from 4 points to 3.

In 1949, Australian Rugby was active, but specific details about events during this time are not provided.

A new law is introduced in rugby, mandating only three players in the front row of the scrum.

The European Cup resumed in 1952.

In 1953, a failed attempt was made to introduce rugby league to the US when wrestling promoter Mike Dimitro organized a tour of Australasia by an American rugby league team. However, the tour did not generate much interest as none of the team members had prior experience in rugby league.

A publication by J.B.G. Thomas and Harding Rowe, likely detailing experiences or stories from a rugby tour.

Originally, the defence could attempt to charge down a conversion kick from the moment the ball was placed on the ground, leading to the use of a designated placer. In 1958, the law governing conversions changed to today's version, allowing the kicker to place the ball and prohibiting the defence from advancing until he begins his run-up.

In November 1959, the first rugby sevens tournament in the U.S. was held during Thanksgiving weekend in New York, featuring eight teams from various northeast colleges.

In 1960, international criticism of apartheid in South African rugby grew significantly after The Wind of Change speech and the Sharpeville massacre. The Springboks became a target of controversy and protest.

Canada established its rugby union in 1965.

In 1970, mini rugby was invented as a form of the game aimed at training children, becoming a popular method for introducing young players to the sport.

The official rugby union of Oman was established in 1971, with His Majesty Qaboos bin Said al Said serving as the Patron of the union.

Bahrain founded its rugby union in 1972, contributing to the growth of the sport in the Gulf region.

The first officially sanctioned international sevens tournament took place at Murrayfield in 1973 as part of the Scottish Rugby Union centenary celebrations.

The USA established its rugby union in 1975.

On January 31, 1976, the U.S. national team played Australia in its first official match since the 1924 Olympics, attracting 7,000 fans at Glover Field in Los Angeles.

In 1977, the goal from mark was made invalid, which was previously worth three points. Between 1891 and 1905, it was worth four points. Additionally, the field goal was banned in 1905 after previously being worth 4 points.

In a memorable match, the Irish provincial side Munster secured a 12-0 victory over the All Blacks at Thomond Park, marking the only defeat for the All Blacks on their 1978 tour.

A comprehensive encyclopedia covering various sports and games, including rugby.

In 1980, USA Rugby established a college national championship tournament.

The 1981 Springbok Tour to New Zealand was marked by political protests and division in New Zealand society, impacting the prestige of rugby until New Zealand won the 1987 Rugby World Cup.

Women’s international rugby union started in 1982 with a match between France and Netherlands in Utrecht. Since then, over six hundred women's internationals have been played by various nations.

In 1983, the Women's Rugby Football Union (WRFU) was established with 12 clubs, responsible for women's rugby in England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland.

In 1984, the Wallabies achieved their first grand slam by defeating all four nations of the British and Irish Isles, showcasing their emergence as a dominant force in world rugby.

Australian Rugby Union, supported by New Zealand, France, and South Africa, proposed a World Cup, but faced opposition from The British and Irish Rugby union. South Africa held the deciding vote.

An illustrated history of rugby edited by Nigel Starmer-Smith, showcasing the cultural significance of the sport.

The first Rugby World Cup is held, marking a significant milestone in the history of the sport.

Georgia made its international rugby debut in 1989 against Zimbabwe.

The second edition of the Rugby World Cup was hosted by the United Kingdom, Ireland, and France, with Australia claiming victory in the tournament.

The white South African Rugby Board merged with the non-racial South African Rugby Union in 1992 following the end of apartheid.

The first World Cup Sevens tournament took place at Murrayfield in 1993.

The second Women’s Rugby World Cup was held in 1994, and the tournament has been a quadrennial event since then. New Zealand has been dominant, winning the last four World Cups.

The third Rugby World Cup took place in South Africa, where the host nation, South Africa, emerged as the champions.

In 1995, MPs criticized the amateur status in rugby.

On August 26, 1995, the International Rugby Board declared rugby union an 'open' game, removing all restrictions on payments or benefits to those involved in the sport. This decision aimed to end shamateurism and maintain control of rugby union.

The Tri-nations, an annual international tournament involving South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia, started in 1996.

Rugby Sevens was introduced into the Commonwealth Games in 1998.

The fourth edition of the Rugby World Cup.

The Mandela Plate serves as a perpetual trophy contested between South Africa and Australia in rugby matches.

A guide explaining the laws of rugby for beginners.

The Tom Richards Trophy was introduced for the British Lions tour to Australia and is up for grabs whenever the British Lions face Australia in rugby.

An article from the New Zealand Herald in 2001 praises the off-field strategies of the rugby union.

An article or publication that delves into the historical rules of a particular sport, possibly rugby or another related sport.

BBC Sport reported on September 26, 2003, about Sititi targeting the big fish in the rugby pool.

BBC Sport provided insights on the process of forming a scrum in rugby on September 14, 2005.

Sean Davies highlighted the fire and flair of Fijian rugby in an article on BBC Sport on October 13, 2005.

Tim Cocks reported on BBC Sport on November 26, 2005, about how rugby in Madagascar inspired new passion.

An article about the return of Jonah Lomu to Scottish rugby.

The unique playing style of Fijian rugby was highlighted on BBC Sport.

An update regarding the concept of time in rugby matches was made on January 22, 2007.

An article by Sean Davies on the development of Japanese rugby, published on BBC Sport in 2007.

The history of the European Rugby Cup was explored in 2007.

Chile was selected to host the IRB Junior World Trophy on August 31, 2007.

Nelson Mandela led South Africa to victory in the Rugby World Cup, uniting the country through the sport.

An extreme version of rugby played in the Andes mountains, known for its challenging and adventurous nature.

The Ivory Coast national team played a qualifier match against Zambia on July 21, 2008, in preparation for the CAN Rugby World Cup 2011.

The International Rugby Board (IRB) inducts five new members into its Hall of Fame.

A BBC article from 2008 discusses the evolution of anthems in rugby history.

An article in 2009 highlighted the beauty and intensity of Women's Rugby, shedding light on the captivating aspects of the sport.

BBC Sport reported on July 28, 2009, that England would host the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

The International Olympic Committee's decision in 2009 regarding rugby received mixed reactions.

On August 19, 2009, the International Rugby Board (IRB) took action regarding uncontested scrums.

Argentina receives an invitation to participate in the Tri-Nations series.

Rugby sevens and golf are approved as sports for the 2016 Olympics in Rio de Janeiro.

The power of Argentinian rugby was discussed on BBC Sport.

The concept of rugby unity in South Africa was explored, highlighting both its factual and fictional aspects.

A document regarding the regulations on the number of players in a rugby match.

Lithuania made a bid for a world record test run in rugby on April 16, 2010, showcasing their commitment to the sport and their ambition for recognition.

The Rugby Football Union revealed an iconic bronze sculpture depicting a rugby line-out, created by sculptor Gerald Laing.

The Craven Week in rugby took place, showcasing young talent in the sport.

New Zealand anticipates a strategy of aerial bombardment in a sports event.

A preview of a rugby match between South Africa and Australia.

Sean Davies wrote on BBC Sport on September 4, 2010, about Namibian rugby emerging from the shadow of the Springboks.

Iran joined as the 118th member union of the IRB on November 25, 2010.

On December 24, 2010, African Rugby revealed plans for its growth and development.

Regulations set by the IRB, retrieved on January 16, 2011.

On January 19, 2011, HSBC extended its support and commitment to Asian rugby.

In 2011, the prestigious trophies of Rugby embarked on a tour, allowing fans and enthusiasts to get up close with the symbols of the sport's excellence.

An article by IRB on February 22, 2011, highlighted the significant potential for Women's Rugby in Japan.

An article by Peter Bills in The Independent on March 15, 2011, discusses how refereeing protocol sometimes overrides common sense in rugby.

During a match in 2011, the England Women's Rugby team emerged victorious over Ireland, securing the Grand Slam title in a thrilling competition.

Lithuania achieved an impressive 18-match winning streak in rugby matches between June 4, 2006, and May 8, 2010, marking a significant milestone in their rugby history.

IRB reported on May 13, 2011, about the scene being set for an exciting Junior Trophy in rugby.

IRB announced on May 18, 2011, that HSBC joined Cathay as sponsors for the Hong Kong Sevens.

The Economic Impact Report on Global Rugby, focusing on strategic and emerging markets, was released by the Centre for the International Business of Sport at Coventry University.

SANZAR defended the timing of the TriNations tournament.

The International Rugby Board's Law 12 addresses the rules regarding knock-on or throw forward situations in rugby.

Regulations outlining the methods of scoring in a rugby match.

Information about the evolution of scoring in rugby over time.

The International Rugby Board's plans for rugby in the Olympics were discussed in 2011.

The International Rugby Board's Law 10 provides guidelines on dealing with foul play incidents in rugby matches.

The link between Bective Rangers and James Joyce, possibly indicating a historical or cultural significance in the context of rugby or literature.

The International Rugby Board issued a press release on September 8, 2011, announcing the teams for the Gold Coast kickoff.

Russia was announced as the host for the 2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens on September 15, 2011.

The International Rugby Board's Law 5 focuses on the concept of time in rugby matches.

Details about the IRB Women's Rugby World Cup were shared on September 24, 2011.

A list of games where a team scored 100 or more points in a rugby match, showcasing exceptional performances and high-scoring encounters in the sport.

The member unions of Oceania Rugby were listed.

Information about rugby in Jamaica was provided by the IRB.

Key tournament rules for European Club Rugby are outlined on ercrugby.com, retrieved on October 24, 2011.

SANZAR remained intact as reported on AllBlacks.com.

Argentina joined The Rugby Championship in 2012 after calls to include them in major hemispheric national team competitions. The competition was previously known as the Tri Nations before their inclusion.

In 2014, the European club competition structure underwent significant changes with the introduction of the European Rugby Champions Cup and European Rugby Challenge Cup, replacing the Heineken Cup and European Challenge Cup. The top competition saw a reduction in the number of participating clubs and the addition of a play-off to determine one place in the Champions Cup.

In the 2015 Rugby World Cup hosted by England, the All Blacks defeated Australia in the final, becoming the first team to win three titles and defend their title.

Rugby Sevens is scheduled to be added to the Olympic Games by 2016.

On November 6, 2017, Major League Rugby and CBS Sports Network announced a multi-year television partnership, marking MLR's first major television deal for broadcast rights.

On April 21, 2018, the first regular season game in Major League Rugby history took place when the Houston SaberCats hosted the New Orleans Gold in Houston.

During the ninth Rugby World Cup in Japan, South Africa emerged victorious over England with a score of 32-12 at Yokohama.

In 2020, three more American clubs began playing in Major League Rugby, further expanding the league.

The Six Nations Championship is an annual competition involving European teams England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. England are the reigning champions.

Rugby is a contact team sport that originated in England. It is known for its physicality and strategic gameplay.

In the tenth Rugby World Cup held in France, South Africa clinched a close victory over New Zealand with a score of 12-11 at Stade de France.