Quite often, a youth player will ask me a question about the sport. Some are obvious, some I can't answer and often, I'll just make something up. However, I've started to collect these questions and will answer some of them every week.


Starting with an easy one:


Where does the name 'rugby' come from?


It comes from Rugby, which is in Warwickshire, England (UK). It was allegedly invented during a game of football (soccer), when a schoolboy named William Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it. This is probably apocryphal (as is the story that he ran past the touchline, put the ball down, and said "Was that a goal, sir?" to which the master replied "No, Ellis, but it was a good try."). But it certainly comes from Rugby.


Why is a score called a try?


In the early years, no points were given for touching the ball down - however, the person who did it was allowed to 'try' to kick the ball through the posts. He won the try for goal.


My mother wants to know if I should buy a cup to play rugby?


No. International Rugby Board Law 4.4(c) states that a player must not wear any items containing rigid material material not otherwise permitted under this law. Section (f) futher clairifies this by not permitting shorts with padding sewn into them.


This is a safety issue for the players, rigid plastics can cause a lot more blunt force trauma then muscle can.