1879–80 Home Nations rugby union matches explained

The 1879–80 Home Nations rugby union matches were a series of international rugby union friendlies held between the England, Ireland and Scotland national rugby union teams.

The only recognised competition held between the countries was the annual Calcutta Cup match, contested between England and Scotland. It was the second challenge for the Cup.

Results

Scoring system

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

Ireland vs. England

Ireland: RB Walkington (NIFC), AM Whitestone (Dublin University), JC Bagot (Dublin University), WT Heron (NIFC), M Johnston (Dublin University), AJ Forrest (Wanderers), F Kennedy (Wanderers), A Millar (Kingstown), HC Kelly (NIFC) capt., JW Taylor (NIFC), JA McDonald (Wanderers), JL Cuppaidge (Wanderers), RW Hughes (NIFC), G Scriven (Dublin University), HH Purdon (NIFC)

Scotland vs. Ireland

Scotland: Bill Maclagan (Edinburgh Academical), Malcolm Cross (Glasgow Academical), Ninian Finlay (Edinburgh Academical), WH Masters (Edinburgh Inst. F.P.), WS Brown (Edinburgh Inst. F.P.), Robert Ainslie (Edinburgh Inst. F.P.), CAR Stewart (West of Scotland), JB Brown (Glasgow Academical), EN Ewart (Glasgow Academical), RW Irvine (Edinburgh Academical) capt., AG Petrie (Royal HSFP), JHS Graham (Edinburgh Academical), D McCowan (West of Scotland), NT Brewis (Edinburgh Inst. F.P.), John Guthrie Tait (Edinburgh Academical)

Ireland: RB Walkington (NIFC), T Harrison (Queen's College, Cork), JC Bagot (Dublin University), WT Heron (NIFC), M Johnston (Dublin University), AJ Forrest (Wanderers), AP Cronyn, A Millar (Kingstown), HC Kelly (NIFC) capt., JW Taylor (NIFC), WL Finlay (NIFC), JL Cuppaidge (Wanderers), RW Hughes (NIFC), G Scriven (Dublin University), WA Wallis (Dublin University)----

England vs. Scotland

England: TW Fry (Queen's House), C. M. Sawyer (Broughton), L Stokes (Blackheath) capt., RT Finch (Cambridge University), HH Taylor (St. George's Hospital), CH Coates (Cambridge University), S Neame (Old Cheltonians), Charles Gurdon (Richmond), C Phillips (Oxford University), GF Vernon (Blackheath), G Harrison (Hull), George Burton (Blackheath), HC Rowley (Manchester), ET Gurdon (Richmond), Roger Walker (Manchester)

Bibliography

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