It was 7 December 1901, when the very first rugby game was held between Keio University and other university teams. When it comes to the founding of rugby, there is an episode of a boy by the name of William Webb Elis. During a football match in the schoolyard of Rugby School, ignoring the rule that the players could not run holding the ball, he ran into the opponent's area while holding the ball. This resulted in creating a new sport called rugby.
Therefore, rugby was born in the year 1823, and 78 years later in 1871, the first rugby association, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), was established in England in 1871. Since then, 30 years passed before rugby was introduced to Japan.
Barbarian Football Club and Shikishima Football Club were formed as several intrasquad games were held in Keio University. From these two clubs, players were chosen to represent the university and to play against YC & AC on 7 December 1901. This game is currently considered to be the oldest rugby match held in Japan.
Therefore, rugby was born in the year 1823, and 78 years later in 1871, the first rugby association, the Rugby Football Union (RFU), was established in England in 1871. Since then, 30 years passed before rugby was introduced to Japan.
Barbarian Football Club and Shikishima Football Club were formed as several intrasquad games were held in Keio University. From these two clubs, players were chosen to represent the university and to play against YC & AC on 7 December 1901. This game is currently considered to be the oldest rugby match held in Japan.