1878–79 Home Nations rugby union matches

The 1878–79 Home Nations rugby union matches are a series of international friendlies held between the England, Ireland and Scotland national rugby union teams. The only recognised competition held between the countries was the inaugural Calcutta Cup match, contested between England and Scotland. It was the first challenge for the Cup, and ended in an unspectacular draw.

Results

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17 February 1879
  Ireland0 – 2  Scotland
Belfast, Ireland
10 March 1879
  Scotland1 – 1  England
Edinburgh, Scotland
24 March 1879
  England3 – 0  Ireland
London, England

Scoring system

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The matches for this season were decided on goals scored. A goal was awarded for a successful conversion after a try, for a dropped goal or for a goal from mark. If a game was drawn, any unconverted tries were tallied to give a winner. If there was still no clear winner, the match was declared a draw.

The matches

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Ireland vs. Scotland

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17 February 1879
  Irelandnil – 1G, 1DG, 1T  Scotland
Try: Brown
Somerville
Con: Cross
Drop: Cross
Ormeau, Belfast
Referee: J Chiene  (Scotland)

Ireland: RB Walkington, T Harrison, JC Bagot, RN Matier, AM Whitestone, WJ Goulding, WEA Cummins, AM Archer, HC Kelly, W Finaly, JA McDonald, JW Taylor, WC Neville capt., G Scriven, H Purdon

Scotland: Bill Maclagan, Malcolm Cross, Ninian Finlay, WH Masters, James Campbell, Robert Ainslie, DR Irvine, JB Brown, D. Somerville, RW Irvine capt., AG Petrie, JHS Graham, Henry Melville Napier, NT Brewis, ER Smith


Scotland vs. England

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10 March 1879
  Scotland1DG–1G  England
Drop: FinlayTry: Burton
Con: Stokes
Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
Attendance: 10,000
Referee: GR Fleming  (Scotland)

Scotland: Bill Maclagan, Malcolm Cross, Ninian Finlay, John Alexander Neilson, James Campbell, Robert Ainslie, Duncan Irvine, JB Brown, EN Ewart, RW Irvine capt., AG Petrie, JHS Graham, Henry Melville Napier, NT Brewis, JE Junor

England: WJ Penny, H Huth (Huddersfield), L Stokes, WAD Evanson, HH Taylor, HH Springman, S Neame, Frank Reginald Adams capt., FD Fowler, A Budd, G Harrison (Hull), George Burton, HC Rowley, Roger Walker, NF McLeod


England vs. Ireland

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24 March 1879
  England2G 2T 1DG–nil  Ireland
Try: Adams
Evanson
Rowley
Twynam
Con: Stokes (2)
Drop: Stokes
The Oval, London
Referee: A. G. Guillemard  (England)

England: WJ Penny, WAD Evanson, L Stokes, HT Twynam, WE Openshaw, Harold Dingwall Bateson, S Neame, Frank Reginald Adams capt:, JM Biggs, A Budd, G Harrison (Hull), GW Burton, HC Rowley, Edward Temple Gurdon, NF McLeod

Ireland: WW Pike, WJ Willis, JC Bagot, J Heron, AM Whistestone, BN Casement, JR Bristow, F Schute, HW Murray, W Finaly, JJ Keon, JL Cuppaidge, WC Neville capt., G Scriven, H Purdon


Bibliography

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  • Griffiths, John (1987). The Phoenix Book of International Rugby Records. London: Phoenix House. ISBN 0-460-07003-7.

References

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