Ireland 1875 Rugby Shirt

Beschrijving

Heavy duty 100% slub cotton

380gsm

Embroidered vintage clover logo and the date of their first international match.

Embroidered 1871 detailing on the back of the neck

Reinforced hems

Two rubber button placket

Machine washable

Made in Portugal

Dublin University was the first organised rugby football club in Ireland, having been founded in 1854. The club was organised by students who had learnt the game while at English public schools.

In 1874, the Irish Football Union was formed.

Ireland lost their first test match against England 7–0 at the Oval on 15 February 1875.

Ireland’s first home game was also against England in the same year held at the Leinster Cricket Club in Rathmines as Lansdowne Road was deemed unsuitable. The first match at Lansdowne Road was held on 11 March 1878, with England beating Ireland by 2 goals and 1 try to nil.

It was not until 1881 that Ireland first won a test, beating Scotland at Ormeau in Belfast.

Ireland turned up two men short for their game in Cardiff in 1884 and had to borrow two Welsh players.

The first victory Ireland had at Lansdowne Road took place on 5 February 1887. It was also their first win over England, by two goals to nil.

On the third of March 1888, Ireland recorded their first win over Wales with a goal, a try and a drop goal to nil.

In 1894, Ireland followed the Welsh model of using seven backs instead of six for the first time. After victory over England at Blackheath, Ireland won back-to-back matches for the first time when recording their first win over Scotland on 24 February 1894. Ireland went on to beat Wales in Belfast and win the Triple Crown for the first time.