1823 Rugby introduced by pupil Williams Webb Ellis at Rugby School, England 1839 Cambridge University students take up game 1845 Rugby school draws up rules for game 1851 William Gilbert creates the first oval-shaped 'Rugby School Football' 1871 Rugby Football Union founded by 20 clubs 1872 First international game played between England and Scotland 1883 Seven-a-side rugby tournament hosted by Scottish side Melrose as a money raising exercise 1884 England wins first Home Championship 1890 International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) formed 1926 The inaugural Middlesex Sevens tournament is held at Twickenham 1939 The inaugural Rosslyn Park Sevens tournament is hosted in London, England 1973 First international rugby sevens tournament held at Murrayfield to celebrate the centenary of the Scottish Rugby Union 1976 The first Hong Kong International Sevens Tournament takes place 1993 Rugby World Cup sevens launched in Scotland 1999 IRB World Sevens Series instigated |