In 19th century Wales, people's wealth and class had a considerable influence on their leisure
activities. The rich enjoyed horse-racing, foxhunting and shooting. The working class tended
to become involved in less expensive activities such as cockerel fighting and foot-racing.
For hundreds of years one of the most popular sports in Wales was knappan. The knappan was
a ball made of wood that had been boiled in tallow to make it slippery. Played between rival
villages, the object of the game was to kick or carry the knappan as far away from the
opposing team as possible. Played by as many as 200 men at a time, the game would often go
on all day. With the industrialisation of Wales, there was neither the time nor space to play
this sport, and it was gradually replaced by soccer and rugby.
Rugby football originated in English public schools in the late 1830s. The game was introduced
into Wales in 1850 by Rowland Williams, the Vice-Principal of Lampeter College. Wiliiams
helped spread news of the game to local schools and colleges. With the expansion of the
railway network in the 1860s, it became possible for rugby matches to be played by teams
from different parts of Wales.
Some men wanted to continue playing rugby after they finished their education and clubs
were formed in most of Wales' largest towns. At this stage it was still very much a middle
class sport. However, by the 1870s the owners of ironworks and collieries in South Wales
began providing sports facilities for their workers. Rugby was encouraged as it was believed
that it was a sport that helped develop strength, physical fitness and team-work.
Although several clubs had been in existence since the mid 1870's the Welsh
Rugby Union was not formed until 1880 and it now has a total of 222 member clubs. Their
first International match quickly followed the unions formation, against England at
Blackheath in February 1881, and after a heavy defeat for the Welsh the English refused to
play against them the next season.
However the strength of Welsh rugby developed over the following years, primarily thanks to
the 'big four’ South Wales clubs of Newport (who lost only seven games between 1891 and
1895), Cardiff, Llanelli (who lost just twice in 1894 and 1895) and Swansea. By the turn of the
century Wales were nearly invincible winning the championship six times and being runners up
also on six occasions in the first 12 years of the new century.
In 1905, Wales were crowned the unofficial
'Champions of the World' when they became the
only side to beat New Zealand on their tour of the
British Isles. In 1911, Wales earned what has
become recognised as the first 'official' Grand
Slam. However, it was to be Wales' last for 39
years. The Great War came in 1914 and rugby was
suspended for four seasons.
During the twenties, the rugby side seemed to
mirror the industrial won the Championship for the
first time in nine years in 1931 after two tries from
Jack Morley against Ireland in Belfast. In January 1933, Wales recorded their first win over
England at Twickenham. The All Blacks visited the Arms Park in 1935, but Wales fell to
another famous defeat, 13-12.
Periods of great success have followed in the 50's and the 70's, when they won the
Championship six times in 10 years. Over the years there have been a succession of players
who have made significant contributions to the world rugby stage, such as Reggie Gibbs, Cliff
Morgan, Mervyn Davies and Gareth Edwards. The Welsh have also made a significant
contribution off the field. It was they who first advocated the use of replacements in test
rugby in the late sixties, and more recently former Welsh Union President Vernon Pugh was
the leading light on the International Board and the development of the Professional game.
The World Cup, staged by Wales in 1999, also marked the opening of their magnificent new
Millennium Stadium.