Page "Rugby union" Paragraph 7

The first rugby football international took place on 27 March 1871, played between England and Scotland.

By 1881 both Ireland and Wales had representative teams, and in 1883 the first international competition, the Home Nations Championship had begun.

1883 was also the year the first rugby sevens tournament at Melrose, the Melrose Sevens, which is still held annually.

Five years later two important overseas tours took place ; a British Isles team visited Australia and New Zealand — although a private venture, it laid the foundations for future British and Irish Lions tours ; and the 1888 New Zealand Native team brought the first overseas team to British spectators.