The Rugby History Project Podcast

Carwyn James' life was one of many segments. Remembered primarily for his achievements with the British and Irish Lions, his personal life and navy career are discussed at length too. A life cut short at just fifty-three, today we look back at his complex, and often secretive, life. References can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/ Shop can be found here: https://therugbyhistor...

With the FIFA Men's World Cup just around the corner, the debate on football v soccer is already heating up. But which is the correct term? Is there a correct term? This episode of The Rugby History Project aims to answer those questions. *Apologies for Molly making an impromptu vocal performance. She is very passionate about WoSo. References and Footnotes: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/...

On the 13th June 1982, the Netherlands and France took part in the first-ever women's international test match. Whilst the Netherlands lost at home, France became the first-ever lineal world title holders, a title they will fight to regain this Sunday against England in the final game of the 2026 Women's Six Nations. On the 13th June 1982, the Netherlands and France took part in the first...

Following their 2014 Rugby World Cup win, the Red Roses recorded their worst-ever result in the Six Nations. This is the tale of how the World discovered the Red Roses were not perennials. I blooming love the Women's Six Nations, and this is the second of three posts I hope to do this season. If you would like to check out the others, you can find them on my channel. They all contain significa...

Founded in 1996 as the Women’s Home Nations Championship, the tournament has grown significantly over the last thirty years. This is the tale of the seven nations that have made up the Six Nations. Check out more information: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/

How a counter-culture movement and a landmark civil rights case created the first World Cup winners. In the Autumn of 1972, two groups of Colorado university students unwittingly started a movement. Providing queer and straight women a safe space to play a full-contact sport, this was a direct response to a vulgar display of misogyny they had witnessed over a year previously and buoyed by a landma...

Just a few years after the first official Home Nations tournament, the then very small rugby world would be torn apart by one man and his house. Check out more information at https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/"Arthur Gould- Rugby's First Superstar" is available here https://welsh-academic-press.shopfactory.com/contents/en-uk/p131.html

In February and March every year, the rugby world is gripped by five rounds of the highest level of men's European international rugby. The way in which the concept of the Six Nations has expanded and developed is fitting for a competition that didn't formally start as a competition. With the 2026 edition underway, this article looks at the weird world of the Men's Six Nations. I can o...

In 1936, Great Britain shocked the hockey world by taking gold at the Winter Olympics. Many myths surround this team; this Winter Olympics Special looks at the true story of how Great Britain "stole gold" from Canada. More information, including references etc, can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/

After months of speculation, on the 24th October 2025, the Welsh Rugby Union announced that they would be cutting the number of men's professional teams from four to three. Let's look back at the last time the Welsh Rugby Union cut a region. Links, references and images for this episode can be found on my website: ⁠⁠https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/⁠⁠ .

If you asked most people to describe a ball, they would describe a round sphere. However, in the sport of rugby, we use a bizarre ellipsoidal ball. Lovingly referred to as an 'egg' or as 'egg-shaped' by many rugby union fans, the ball has become an icon of the sport. But how exactly did we end up with such a shape in the first place? Links, references and images for this episode ca...

On the 30th September 2024, Irish rugby fans woke up to the news that the Ireland had beaten New Zealand. Fans of the men's team rejoiced that the women's team had finally achieved the same feat the men had come to hold so dear. Imagine their shock when fans of women's rugby informed them that the women's team had not only beaten New Zealand before, but that they had made a Rugby W...

In many countries, rugby union is considered to be a sport for the middle classes. Stereotypically played in private schools by the sons of professionals, the sport often struggles to overcome this perception. However, how true is this reputation and why did the sport gain it in the first place?

The full text of this podcast, including images, citations, and notes, can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/2025/08/22/emily-valentine-the-female-william/

The full text of this podcast, including images, citations, and notes, can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/2025/08/16/barrette-the-original-female-rugby-f90/

The full text of this podcast, including images, citations, and notes, can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/2025/07/30/i-wanted-to-play-for-wales-with-my-6a3/

The full text of this podcast, including images, citations, and notes, can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/2025/07/13/the-legacy-of-las-leonas-the-addition/

The full text of this podcast, including images, citations, and notes, can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/2025/06/30/ohhhh-canada-the-canadian-womens/

The full text of this podcast, including images, citations, and notes, can be found here: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/2025/06/22/the-cases-of-sione-tuipulotu-and/