JRL

To understand the history of Rugby requires an appreciation of the common 'Rugby' ancestor shared by both the two rugby codes.

In the 1800's formalities were introduced to football rules in the seven major public schools of England.

Six of the seven schools were largely playing the same game (including Eton, Harrow and Winchester) - while the seventh, Rugby School (founded in 1567) at Warwickshire, was playing a markedly different version of football. The other schools refined their rules and eventually their game became known as "association football" - often known as soccer.

How the Rugby School's game developed differently is lost in history and the true story is unlikely to ever be known. What is known is that at Rugby School by the 1830's running with the ball was in common use, the goal posts had been extended to 18 feet high (with a cross-bar at 10 feet above the ground) and there were forms of scrummaging and line-outs.

On 29 August 1895 twenty-one clubs met at the George Hotel in Huddersfield and formed the Northern Rugby Union (later to become known as Rugby League).

Over the coming years the rules of the game were changed (abolishing line-outs, reduced teams to 13-a-side and introducing the play-the-ball being the main variations) to improve the attractiveness of the game, therefore paying crowds.

Rugby League was born.

source: http://www.rl1908.com/