Rugby School and NextGenXV have joined forces to live stream every 2023 match held on the hallowed turf where the game was born.
2023 marks the 200th anniversary of rugby football since William Webb Ellis caught the ball in his arms and ran with it while playing football on the School’s now world-famous Close. To celebrate this momentous occasion more than 25 days of matches have been scheduled on The Close when players of all ages, nationalities and abilities will have the chance to play the game where it all began.
Highlights of this exciting year of events are an International U18s Sevens tournament welcoming teams from across the world; Women’s U18s England v. Wales; Mike Tindall MBE captaining an England/ Wales Legends team v a Scotland/ Ireland team; England v Wales Deaf rugby and much, much more.
NextGenXV’s partnership with Rugby School for the duration of 2023 will enable home supporters of the global teams to watch their teams play live and ensure every avid rugby fan can tune into the games to soak up the action as it happens.
The flagship event will undoubtedly be the International Schools U18s Sevens Tournament on Saturday 25th to Sunday 26th March 2023, where some of the best rugby playing schools from countries around the World including Australia, Canada, Chile, England, Ireland, Japan, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa & Wales will be in attendance for 2 days of genuine celebration of the game.
“2023 on The Close at Rugby School will be the place to be for all rugby fans,” said Rugby School Group’s Executive Head Master, Peter Green. “It’s important that all those who cannot be in here in person can still enjoy the incredible rugby matches staged during this momentous year, so live streaming is the next best thing.”
NextGenXV co-founder, Angus Savage, echoed that sentiment: “Rugby School is always a special place for the sport, but in 2023 it is going to be more than just the home and birthplace of the game, it is going to be the absolute hub of it. Everyone here at NextGenXV is thrilled to be involved and to play our part in bringing all of the action to the screens of those students, parents, staff, and alumni who cannot be there in person, as well as the wider rugby and schools rugby community.
“We are incredibly excited about plans for 2023 and so looking forward to it. The Close has seen some extraordinary moments during the last 199 years and we can’t wait to bring you every moment live from the 200th.”
The countdown is on to the exciting celebrations, and with a stellar line-up of rugby greats as patrons* who will be making guest appearances, refereeing and more, it’s time to start saving the dates which can be found at www.rugbyschool.co.uk/200-anniversary/
Photo captions: Haka on The Close by New Zealand’s Nelson College v Rugby School during the last International Sevens match held in 2017
*Patrons: Maggie Alphonsi MBE, Lawrence Dallaglio OBE, Alex Grove, Sarah Hunter MBE, Martin Johnson CBE, Huw Jones, Jason Leonard OBE, Nigel Owens MBE, Will Rowlands, Emily Scarratt MBE, Mike Tindall MBE and Jonny Wilkinson CBE.
