A statue of William Webb Ellis, who is widely credited with inventing the game of rugby, stands outside Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. Rugby School is known as the spiritual home of rugby. According to a popular version of the game's origins, it was on the school's playing field that in 1823, in a game that could loosely be described as football but was more like a brawl, a pupil called William Webb Ellis caught the ball and, instead of kicking towards the goal, sprinted with it – breaking the code and laying the way for modern-day rugby. Five months from now, on September 18, the Rugby World Cup kicks off in Britain. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Pupils walk to lessons at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
A pupil poses for a photograph in his uniform, including a tie for the Michell “House” at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
The shadows of pupils throwing a ball are cast near a plaque dedicated to William Web Ellis as they pose for another photographer at Rugby school in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Pupils take part in rugby practice on the playing fields of Rugby School in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Pupils take part in rugby practice on the playing fields of Rugby School in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
A pupil catches a ball as he takes part in rugby practice on the playing fields of Rugby School in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
A ball lies between a pupil's feet as he takes part in rugby practice on the playing fields of Rugby School in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
A pupil runs with the ball as he takes part in rugby practice on the playing fields of Rugby School in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
A pupil holds the ball as he takes part in rugby practice on the playing fields of Rugby School in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Pupils take part in rugby practice on the playing fields of Rugby School in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Pupils take part in rugby practice on the playing fields of Rugby School in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Playing fields are seen through the headmaster's sitting room window at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Pupils eat a meal in a dining room in a boarding house at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
A painting of former pupil, and British Prime Minister, Neville Chamberlain hangs on a wall at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Pupils attend a classics class at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Pupils attend a classics lesson in a classroom at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
The burial site of former headmaster Thomas Arnold is seen in the chapel at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Pupils attend morning chapel at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
Desktops decorated with graffiti by former pupils are displayed at Rugby School in central England, January 20, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
The first handwritten rules for rugby football, dated August 28, 1845, are seen in a pupil's minutes book at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
A printed rulebook from 1864, which was carried by players on the pitch instead of referees, is displayed at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
A players cap, which is embroidered with the names and dates of games, is displayed at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
An original 1850 puntabout rugby football is displayed at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
A cap worn by a pupil when he was presented to Queen Adelaide in 1839 is displayed at Rugby School in central England, March 18, 2015. (Photo by Neil Hall/Reuters)
23 Apr 2015 11:57:00,
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