Rugby's hallowed turf

Rugby's hallowed turf

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Rugby School is known as the spiritual home of rugby. The World Cup’s trophy, the Webb Ellis Cup is even named after one of its pupils.

According to the popular story of the game’s origins, it was on the school’s playing field that in 1823, in a game that could loosely be described as football but was more like a brawl, a pupil called William Webb Ellis caught the ball and, instead of kicking towards the goal, sprinted with it - breaking the code and laying the way for modern-day rugby.

. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

The school is one of Britain’s oldest and most famous independent schools. It was founded in 1567 by Lawrence Sheriff, a merchant who sold spices to Elizabeth I.

In the early 19th Century, former headmaster Thomas Arnold, taught his pupils in the morals of muscular Christianity. Arnold's ideals were romanticised by author Thomas Hughes in the pages of 'Tom Brown's School Days' - a novel that inspired Pierre de Coubertin's vision of the Modern Olympics.

A simple plaque celebrates the connection between Rugby School and the Olympics, one of many artefacts that can be found when strolling around the grounds.

. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

But for rugby enthusiasts, no visit to what some regard as the home of the sport is complete without dropping into the small museum lovingly managed by the school's official archivist Rusty MacLean.

Amongst his prize exhibits are the first set of written rules for the game, then simply known as football, penned by a committee of boys knows as the Big Side Levee in 1845.

There were 37 rules in all and many are still applicable today, but some are more curious.

"It was a very different game then. You could have over 300 boys on the pitch, teams could be of very different sizes," MacLean said.

"Matches could last six or seven days, no games clothes, you just played in jackets, waistcoats, breeches and boots... it was fairly fluid shall we say."

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Slideshow

The shadows of pupils throwing a ball is cast near a plaque dedicated to William Web Ellis.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

The shadows of pupils throwing a ball is cast near a plaque dedicated to William Web Ellis.

A pupil holds the ball as he takes part in rugby practice on the playing fields.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

A pupil holds the ball as he takes part in rugby practice on the playing fields.

A student throws the ball.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

A student throws the ball.

Pupils take part in rugby practice.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

Pupils take part in rugby practice.

Students walk across the school’s playing field.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

Students walk across the school’s playing field.

Pupils walk to lessons at Rugby School.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

Pupils walk to lessons at Rugby School.

Playing fields are seen through the headmaster's sitting room window.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

Playing fields are seen through the headmaster's sitting room window.

Pupils attend a classics class.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

Pupils attend a classics class.

Students study classics.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

Students study classics.

Pupils eat a meal in a dining room.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

Pupils eat a meal in a dining room.

A pupil poses for a photograph in his uniform, including the school tie.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

A pupil poses for a photograph in his uniform, including the school tie.

A painting of former pupil, and British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain hangs on a wall at Rugby School.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

A painting of former pupil, and British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain hangs on a wall at Rugby School.

Desktops decorated with graffiti by former pupils are displayed at the school.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

Desktops decorated with graffiti by former pupils are displayed at the school.

A cap worn by a pupil when he was presented to Queen Adelade in 1839 is displayed at Rugby School.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

A cap worn by a pupil when he was presented to Queen Adelade in 1839 is displayed at Rugby School.

An original 1850 puntabout rugby football is seen at the school.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

An original 1850 puntabout rugby football is seen at the school.

A players cap, which is embroidered with the names and dates of games, is displayed at the school.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

A players cap, which is embroidered with the names and dates of games, is displayed at the school.

A printed rulebook from 1864, which was carried by players on the pitch instead of referees is displayed at Rugby School.
. Rugby, UK. Reuters/Neil Hall

A printed rulebook from 1864, which was carried by players on the pitch instead of referees is displayed at Rugby School.