The game of rugby will be 200 years old next year, and Rugby School ? the birthplace of the game in 1823 ? has planned an exciting year of national and international matches and other events to celebrate.? 
Sarah Hunter MBE, captain of the England women?s rugby team, and one of the patrons supporting Rugby School?s celebrations, was at the School on 15th June ? on The Close where William Webb Ellis famously ?took the ball in his arms and ran with it? – to start the 200-day countdown until 2023.? 
Sarah said: ?I am delighted to be at the birthplace of the game to start the 200-day countdown to the launch of 2023. It will be another amazing year for the game, following on the back of the Women?s World Cup this autumn. This is a brilliant period to encourage youngsters into the sport, especially for girls to get involved, most importantly for enjoyment, but also to inspire the rugby greats of the future.?  The programme of events revealed today on the 2023 Celebration?s website, include: 

a Legends England/Wales side, captained by Mike Tindall, playing against a Legends Scotland/Ireland team in November 

an International Schools U18s Sevens Tournament, including players from Japan, Chile, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Canada, as well as home nations, to be held in March. 

Tournaments will be played on The Close where the game was invented, which is currently being newly turfed and refurbished in time for the high-profile events. 
Credit: Rugby Schoo...