The Rugby History Project Podcast

The Rugby History Project

The home of rugby history. Every body means everybody. Find more at https://therugbyhistoryproject.com

  1. 'In His Own Little Spiritual World': The Lives of Carwyn James

    Jun 30

    'In His Own Little Spiritual World': The Lives of Carwyn James

    Carwyn James' life was one of many segments. Remembered primarily for his achievements with the British and Irish Lions, his personal life and navy career are discussed at length too. A life cut short at just fifty-three, today we look back at his complex, and often secretive, life. References can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/ Shop can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/shop/

    23 min
  2. Football v Soccer: What's in a Name?

    Jun 9

    Football v Soccer: What's in a Name?

    With the FIFA Men's World Cup just around the corner, the debate on football v soccer is already heating up. But which is the correct term? Is there a correct term? This episode of The Rugby History Project aims to answer those questions. *Apologies for Molly making an impromptu vocal performance. She is very passionate about WoSo. References and Footnotes: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/ Support the project: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/my-articles-your-inbox-%f0%9f%8f%89/ Birthday giveaway info: https://www.instagram.com/p/DZCpACdAmq-/?img_index=1 My tee is from my friend Why is Mummy so Muddy, you can find it here: https://whyismummysomuddy.com/products/bunch-of-nations-tee

    11 min
  3. How It All Began: The first-ever Women's International Rugby Test Match and the legacy of the Utrecht Shield

    May 14

    How It All Began: The first-ever Women's International Rugby Test Match and the legacy of the Utrecht Shield

    On the 13th June 1982, the Netherlands and France took part in the first-ever women's international test match. Whilst the Netherlands lost at home, France became the first-ever lineal world title holders, a title they will fight to regain this Sunday against England in the final game of the 2026 Women's Six Nations. On the 13th June 1982, the Netherlands and France took part in the first ever women's international test match. Whilst the Netherlands lost at home, France became the first-ever lineal world title holders, a title they will fight to regain this Sunday against England in the final game of the 2026 Women's Six Nations. Find out more here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/ The Utrecht Shield: https://www.raeburnandutrechtshields.com/ Dainty Lady Ball Stickers: https://www.redbubble.com/people/therugbyhistory/shop?artistUserName=therugbyhistory&asc=u&collections=4509990&iaCode=all-departments&sortOrder=top%20selling

    10 min
  4. When The Roses Wilted

    May 5

    When The Roses Wilted

    Following their 2014 Rugby World Cup win, the Red Roses recorded their worst-ever result in the Six Nations. This is the tale of how the World discovered the Red Roses were not perennials.I blooming love the Women's Six Nations, and this is the second of three posts I hope to do this season. If you would like to check out the others, you can find them on my channel. They all contain significantly fewer flower puns. A written version of this post is also available on my website https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/, which is where you can find all my references and footnotes. Thanks for watching The Rugby History Project! Subscribe to keep up to date. If you would like to help support the project, you can find details here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/my-articles-your-inbox-%f0%9f%8f%89/

    13 min
  5. A Very Brief History of the Women’s Six Nations

    Apr 19

    A Very Brief History of the Women’s Six Nations

    Founded in 1996 as the Women’s Home Nations Championship, the tournament has grown significantly over the last thirty years. This is the tale of the seven nations that have made up the Six Nations. Check out more information: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/

    12 min
  6. ‘We’d just thought you’d go away’: A Brief Early History of Women’s Rugby in The USA

    Apr 7

    ‘We’d just thought you’d go away’: A Brief Early History of Women’s Rugby in The USA

    How a counter-culture movement and a landmark civil rights case created the first World Cup winners.In the Autumn of 1972, two groups of Colorado university students unwittingly started a movement. Providing queer and straight women a safe space to play a full-contact sport, this was a direct response to a vulgar display of misogyny they had witnessed over a year previously and buoyed by a landmark civil rights case. This is the tale of the women who refused to go away. Check out more information: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/

    12 min
  7. The 'Monkey' Who Almost Had Wales Kicked Out of the Home Nations

    Mar 1

    The 'Monkey' Who Almost Had Wales Kicked Out of the Home Nations

    Just a few years after the first official Home Nations tournament, the then very small rugby world would be torn apart by one man and his house. Check out more information at https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/"Arthur Gould- Rugby's First Superstar" is available here https://welsh-academic-press.shopfactory.com/contents/en-uk/p131.html

    14 min
  8. A Brief History of the Weird World of the Men's Six Nations

    Feb 20

    A Brief History of the Weird World of the Men's Six Nations

    In February and March every year, the rugby world is gripped by five rounds of the highest level of men's European international rugby. The way in which the concept of the Six Nations has expanded and developed is fitting for a competition that didn't formally start as a competition. With the 2026 edition underway, this article looks at the weird world of the Men's Six Nations.I can only apologise to the nation of Romania for my butchery of their language.Check out more information at https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/

    14 min
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