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The world of rugby celebrated the 8th Rugby World Cup in 2015, but a tournament held in 1919, The King’s Cup, can rightly claim to be rugby’s first competitive ‘World Cup’. Meticulously complied by Howard Evans and Phil Atkinson, The King’s Cup 1919, is the first book to tell the story of rugby’s first ‘World Cup’ and is essential reading for all rugby enthusiasts and military historians. With over 140 photos and illustrations, and chapters focusing on the competing teams, the players, and every game in the tournament, the authors have provided a comprehensive and attractive record of a long-forgotten but historically important competition that most rugby supporters are completely unaware of. At the outbreak of World War I in 1914, all rugby was suspended by decree of the individual rugby unions, with only inter-military encounters and fundraising games permitted. After the Armistice in November 1918, with the armies of the world’s rugby-playing nations still stationed in Britain, and with the public desperate to see competitive rugby played again, an inter-military tournament was organised.King George V was so enthused by the proposed competition that he agreed to have the tournament named after him, and so The King’s Cup was born. The King’s Cup 1919 Explains the British military’s refusal to allow separate teams for England, Wales, Scotland or Ireland by the creation of ‘Mother Country’ Explains how the Royal Navy were invited to compete but declined Confirmed the status of New Zealand as the dominant rugby-playing nation Saw the first competitive game between New Zealand and South Africa Shows the origins of apartheid South Africa’s refusal to accept black players in opposing teams
