The UAFC

The 1884 Home Nations Championship was most notable for a dispute arising from the game between England and Scotland, when the winning English try was disputed by the Scottish. The teams disagreed with the interpretation of a knock-on law from which England's Richard Kingsley scored and Scotland were told to accept the decision, and their request for adjudication was denied by England. The bitter feelings caused by this situation resulted in the creation of the International Rugby Board in 1886, to create an accepted body of rules that all members would agree to.

The 1884 Championship is also notable for being possibly the first instance where "NIQ" players where used by Ireland. Although never selected for Wales, Harry McDaniel and fellow Newport player Charles Jordan managed to play international rugby for Ireland, when the team arrived in Wales two players short for an encounter with the Welsh team in 1884. The Welsh ran out winners by a single goal to nil.

There seems to have been a rather loose definition of who was eligible to play for any international team around that time. Must check my copy of 'The Oval World' for details.

solidarity wrote: ↑Fri Mar 12, 2021 8:39 pm There seems to have been a rather loose definition of who was eligible to play for any international team around that time. Must check my copy of 'The Oval World' for details.

Those early years are fascinating and full of colourful characters.

What about Thomas Gisborne Gordon, who played for North of Ireland F.C. and was the only one-handed man ever to play international rugby. He lost the right one in a shooting accident but played at outhalf for Ireland on 3 occassions in 1877/78.

... or Dolway Bell Walkington, another North player who won eight caps between 18887 and 1891 and captained Ireland, but is more often remembered for his poor eyesight and the fact that he occasionally wore a monocle while playing, removing it when required to make a tackle

They would be turning in their graves to see the of the game now. Even with video replay the shyte officials are still the same.

h e l l Off Wanķer Murphy.