Rugby Football Union

The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the rugby union governing body in England.

Related Topics:
Rugby union - England

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It was formed in 1871 to draw up rules for the game first played at Rugby School in 1823. Similar unions were organised during the next few years in Ireland, Wales, Scotland, New Zealand, Australia, France, Canada, South Africa, and the United States.

Related Topics:
1871 - Rugby School - 1823

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Among the Union's chief activities are conferences, organising international matches, and educating and training players and officials. Their publications include handbooks and guides for coaches. Headquarters are at Twickenham, Middlesex, inside Twickenham Stadium. Its officials were famously called "57 old farts" by Will Carling.

Related Topics:
Twickenham - Middlesex - Twickenham Stadium - Will Carling

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The national team is called England Rugby.

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The RFU pays each side in the country's top-level league, the Guinness Premiership, around £8.5 million a year with £2 million of that allocated to an England player compensation scheme.

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