The Rugby History Project Podcast

The Rugby History Project

If you’re here, it means you probably like rugby. Whilst I don’t have any rugby matches here, I do have lots of rugby-related nonsense that you might like! Expect to find: women’s rugby, men’s rugby, random facts and maybe even some wheelchair rugby! Find more at https://therugbyhistoryproject.com

  1. 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
  2. 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
  3. 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
  4. ‘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
  5. 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
  6. 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
  7. Winter Olympics Special: When Great Britain 'Stole' Gold

    Feb 4

    Winter Olympics Special: When Great Britain 'Stole' Gold

    In 1936, Great Britain shocked the hockey world by taking gold at the Winter Olympics. Many myths surround this team; this Winter Olympics Special looks at the true story of how Great Britain "stole gold" from Canada.More information, including references etc, can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/

    16 min
  8. When Wales Lost a Region: The Tale of the Celtic Warriors

    Jan 19

    When Wales Lost a Region: The Tale of the Celtic Warriors

    After months of speculation, on the 24th October 2025, the Welsh Rugby Union announced that they would be cutting the number of men's professional teams from four to three. Let's look back at the last time the Welsh Rugby Union cut a region. Links, references and images for this episode can be found on my website: ⁠⁠https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/⁠⁠.

    17 min
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About

If you’re here, it means you probably like rugby. Whilst I don’t have any rugby matches here, I do have lots of rugby-related nonsense that you might like! Expect to find: women’s rugby, men’s rugby, random facts and maybe even some wheelchair rugby! Find more at https://therugbyhistoryproject.com

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