Why Is Rugby Union So Posh? ft. The Rugby History Project

Why Is Rugby Union So Posh? ft. The Rugby History Project

From HG Rugby by Huw Griffin

April 5, 2026 · 1h 8m · Season 4 · Episode 60

About this episode

The episode explores the posh origins of rugby union and its implications in modern times.

Why Is Rugby Posh? This week I was going by Hattie from The Rugby History Project to answer that very question. We dive into the origins of the sport, its roots in the English private school system, and the role colonialism played in the game's growth across the globe. We then ask the question if women's rugby is any different, before taking a look ahead to the Women's Six Nations. Will it be the Red Roses show again? Furthermore, what has the PWR done that has made both of us so mad? #rugby #history #england #class #socialhistory #podcast #sixnations #money #british Hattie's excellent article: https://therugbyhistoryproject.com/2025/11/03/why-is-rugby-union-posh/ follow me on twitter: https://x.com/HuwGriffinRugby Chapters 0:00 A Rugby Historian 2:55 Rugby Banned Books? 5:40 Its Own Worst Enemy 9:30 William Webb Ellis Never Happened 14:55 Why Is Rugby Posh? 26:25 The North South Divide Explained 32:00 Colonialism And Rugby 36:10 Is Women's Rugby Different? 43:00 Red Roses Thoughts 45:10 PWR Controversy 53:30 Wales Six Nations Preview Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

People in this episode

Host: Huw Griffin

Guest: Hattie

Topics covered

  • rugby
  • history
  • class
  • colonialism
  • women's rugby
  • Six Nations

Keywords

  • rugby
  • posh
  • history
  • colonialism
  • women's rugby
  • Six Nations
  • England
  • class

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: The Rugby History Project

Books & works: Why Is Rugby Posh?

Places: England, Wales

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