In this year's 6 Nations rugby union tournament two Countries with centuries of unprecedented rivalry, history and harmony commence battle at Murrayfield stadium. Top or bottom of the leader board... there is really only one game that matters - The Calcutta Cup.
Both England and Scotland are known to one another as ‘the old enemy’, and this March in the 6 Nations rugby union tournament they will compete, yet again, for the Calcutta cup in its 117th competitive fixture.
A Calcutta Creation
The competition originated from Calcutta, India in 1872, when a group of Englishmen took part in a rugby match, against a number of Scottish and Irishmen. As a result of the spectatorship following the game that day; the Calcutta rugby football club was formed a month later and rugby had reached India.
A year after the club joined the Rugby Football Union (RFU), but unfortunately had to disband as more cultured sports such as polo and tennis were introduced in India; suiting the Asian climate and subsequently being favoured over rugby. However in order to keep the club’s name inexistence; its members decided to make a cup out of the clubs melted silver rupees (money) and present it to the RFU, who decided to play the event annually.
From then on, to this day, a number of stadiums have hosted the fixture in both England and Scotland, since departing from Calcutta in 1878. The venue changes every 6 Nations tournament; this year it will be held at Murrayfield, Scotland, next year at Twickenham stadium, England.
Battle of 2009
Last year’s game, at Twickenham, had seen both side’s tournament campaigns been disappointing leading into the game, but there was still plenty to play for in London, as England were hoping to win back the cup that they lost at Murrayfield in 2008, with Scotland trying to retain it.
Battle of 2010
This Saturday, Scotland gets the chance to reclaim the trophy on their own home turf, Murrayfield. Aarty and I are heading up to Edinburgh to watch the match and hang out in one of the most beautiful cities in the world. Wooo hoooo!
