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Museum of Rugby, Twickenham, London

Twickenham Stadium from Richmond Hill

The Museum of Rugby at Twickenham can be found at Twickenham Stadium in Richmond, perhaps the most famous rugby stadium in Britain. Entry to the museum is through one of the original Twickenham turnstiles. The museum claims to have the largest collection of rugby memorabilia in the world. The collection includes an England jersey from the first international match, held in 1871. This was a match between England and Scotland. As is the case today, that first England jersey was white, with a red rose. The Calcutta Cup, which is awarded for the winners of the annual England against Scotland game is also on display. This cup has an interesting background as far as the social history of sport is concerned. The trophy was originally designed to be awarded for the winners of club competition, but the RFU were reluctant to promote a knockout competition in case this encouraged professionalism. It was then decided to use the trophy for the England Scotland game. Rugby Union is unusual in its continued adherence to an amateur ethos.

The Calcutta Cup itself is actually the result of a rugby club's demise. The Calcutta Rugby Club was forced to close in 1878 due to lack of interest in the sport. The club withdrew all of its remaining savings, two hundred and seventy silver rupees, and melted them down to make a silver trophy. The trophy was then given to the RFU to be used as it wished, in the hope that "this was the best means of doing some lasting good for the cause of Rugby Football." Perhaps this trophy is saying that the game is more important than money. And perhaps it is. But to be able to play without any thought of money suggests a certain level of wealth. Being able to play for no reward was generally a status symbol in the history of "amateur" sport. The Calcutta Cup reflects the hard economic realities of life, in the sense that the poor old Calcutta Club had to fold because not enough people were interested; and yet the trophy also shows a desire to find something higher than money, to melt the stuff down in the interests of rugby.

Many of the exhibits are interactive. You will be able have a go at a scrum machine, to see how you'd measure up as a forward.

 

Opening Times: 10am - 5pm Tuesday to Saturday and bank holidays, 11am - 5pm on Sundays. Last entry to the museum is 4.30pm. The museum is closed Mondays, Sundays after match days, Easter Sunday, 24th - 26th December and 1st January. Stadium tours are not available on match days. See the web site for details.

Directions: Twickenham stadium is just off the A316 in Richmond, west London. Leave the M25 at junction 12 onto the M3 towards London. The M3 becomes the A316. Stay on the A316, go past the Stoop rugby ground, and then turn left at the mini roundabout. At the next round about turn right into Rugby Road.Your car may be subject to a security check. Click here for an interactive map centred on the Museum of Rugby Twickenham.

Access: the Museum of Rugby, and the stadium tour are fully accessible to wheelchair users. Adapted toilet facilities are available. E-mail ZoeAdams@RFU.com for an Access Guide.

Contact:

telephone: 0870 405 2001

web site: www.rfu.com/microsites/museum

e-mail: museum@rfu.com