In 1823 William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it and for the next 200 years we've all wondered why... this book explains why and is a complete reference to the social history of rugby. The essential pick-up, put-down, and pick-up again rugby history for everybody. From players to fans, from newspapers to television and from computer games to bumper-stickers... and everything in between. 200 years ago, a game of 'football' may have involved hundreds of players on each side, with few, if any, rules or laws. These melees were gradually refined to form the modern game of Rugby Union which is now played and loved by millions in over 100 countries around the world... this book has documented the that amazing journey. This composition has been meticulously researched for over 14-years and covers every significant, and many insignificant events, of this amazing game. Profound incidents have been documented, incredible feats of hardship and sacrifice have been recorded and humorous one-liners proliferate A Brief History of Rugby.