Rugby’s Lineal World Titles
The newest and oldest rugby prize is official through the historical record and fan recognition because it’s more fun when we all compete for the same prizes
The Raeburn Shield (Men’s) and Utrecht Shield (Women’s) are challenge trophies defended by the current holders in every Test match they play, home or away—just like a world boxing title. Win the match, and you claim the shield. Lose, and it passes to your opponent. This simple, yet powerful concept traces its lineage all the way back to the very first international rugby matches.
The shields are named in honour of those historic encounters:
🏉 The Raeburn Shield—named after Raeburn Place in Edinburgh, where Scotland and England played the first men’s international in 1871.
🏉 The Utrecht Shield—recognising the first women’s international in 1982, when the Netherlands faced France in Utrecht.
Since those first games, the shields have changed hands many times, weaving an unbroken thread through rugby history. Scotland and France were the original holders, but over the decades, the titles have moved across continents, reflecting the ever-evolving landscape of the sport.
While not yet recognised by World Rugby, the shields are gaining traction among rugby fans worldwide. Every share, every like, and every conversation about them helps build the case for what we believe should be an official part of the game. This isn’t just a historical quirk—it’s a living, breathing challenge that makes every Test match matter just that little bit more.
So, who holds the shield today? And who’s coming for it next? Keep following, get involved, and help grow a tradition that connects rugby’s past, present, and future.
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A Prize for All: Unifying International Rugby
International rugby is at its best when every nation, from world champions to emerging sides, has a shot at the same prize. The sport is built on iconic tournaments—the Six Nations, the Rugby Championship, the Rugby World Cup—each with its own rich history, fierce rivalries, and moments of glory. These competitions are the heartbeat of the game, defining eras and shaping legacies. But what if there was a prize that wove them all together, enhancing the drama rather than competing with it?
A central, unifying trophy—one that follows the game itself, moving match by match across continents and competitions—would strengthen international rugby, not dilute it. It wouldn’t replace existing tournaments but add an extra layer of meaning to every Test. Imagine a Six Nations clash where a team isn’t just chasing the championship but also defending a title that connects them to past greats. Or a Rugby Championship showdown where the stakes include both traditional bragging rights and a prize that links hemispheres. Even outside the major tournaments, a single autumn Test or Pacific Nations Cup match could take on greater significance, as any team could claim the title with a single result.
This isn’t just a thought experiment—it’s already happening. The Raeburn and Utrecht Shields bring this concept to life, tracking the lineal champions of men’s and women’s Test rugby. They prove that rugby’s deepest traditions aren’t confined to any one competition but live in the matches themselves. By celebrating every Test as part of an ongoing, global story, these shields add to the sport’s history, connecting past, present, and future.
In a game where legacy matters, a prize that unites the international calendar is more than just an idea—it’s an evolution worth embracing.
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Bridging Eras, Connecting Competitions
Rugby’s history is built on iconic moments, from the first Test matches to the grand stages of today’s World Cups. The Raeburn and Utrecht Shields honour that history by tracing their lineages back to the very first men’s and women’s internationals, connecting every Test match to the birth of the game itself. But they do more than just celebrate the past—they also offer something rugby desperately needs: a continuous prize that fills the four-year gap between our beloved Rugby World Cups.
The World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport, the moment when the rugby world unites in a single tournament. But between those quadrennial spectacles, the international game ebbs and flows through different competitions, each brilliant in its own right but lacking a common thread. The Raeburn and Utrecht Shields provide that link, moving across tournaments and test windows, ensuring that every match—whether a World Cup final or a one-off autumn Test—can carry the weight of history.
By following the game itself, rather than a fixed schedule, the Shields bring an added sense of continuity to international rugby. They don’t replace existing trophies but enhance them, ensuring that every result matters beyond rankings or tournament tables. Whether it’s a mid-cycle Test or a clash between emerging nations, the Shields offer a legacy to fight for, keeping the spirit of competition alive between World Cups.
In a sport that values its history as much as its future, a prize that spans generations and competitions isn’t just a novelty—it’s a vital piece of rugby’s ongoing story.
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A Mission for the Game, the Fans, and the Players
Hi, I’m Dave.
Rugby is built on passion—by the players who take the field, the coaches who shape the game, and the fans who live every moment. My mission is simple: to enhance the international game for all of us. Not by changing what makes rugby great, but by adding something that gives every Test match an extra layer of meaning.
That’s where the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields come in. They aren’t just trophies—they’re a challenge. A chance for teams to seize a prize that moves with the game itself, creating massive moments when players and coaches either take their opportunity to become lineal world champions… or let it slip away.
Imagine the tension of a classic Test match, now carrying the weight of a title that has passed through generations. Picture the pride of a team defending their claim to the oldest title in rugby, or the heartbreak of losing it in a hard-fought contest. These are the kinds of moments that define the sport, and the Shields ensure they can happen anytime, anywhere.
This isn’t just about stats or history—it’s about making every game matter. And that’s something every rugby fan can get behind.
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The Raeburn and Utrecht Shields are built on community, connection, and the passion of rugby fans like you. This is a fan-driven tradition, and every bit of support helps grow the recognition these titles deserve. Whether it’s spreading the word, engaging on social media, or becoming part of the shield’s legacy yourself, here’s how you can make a difference:
🏉 Connect & Share
Know someone in the rugby world who would love this idea? Whether it’s players, coaches, journalists, or passionate fans, making those connections is huge. Introduce Dave, tag the shields in conversations, or drop them into rugby discussions—every mention helps bring the concept to new audiences.
💬 Engage on Social Media
Every comment, like, and share adds weight to the movement. Follow the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields on social media, comment on posts, and tag the shields into relevant discussions—whether it’s a Test match preview, a historical rugby debate, or a chat about the game’s traditions. The more people talking about the shields, the bigger their impact.
🔨 Become Part of History
Want to be part of rugby’s legacy in a real, lasting way? You can have your name engraved on the physical Raeburn or Utrecht Shield. Your contribution will help fund the creation of the official trophies, ensuring that these historic lineal titles have a permanent, tangible presence in the rugby world. It’s a chance to leave your mark on the sport and be recognised as one of the people who helped bring these shields to life.
This is a movement powered by rugby fans who love the game’s history and want to see it evolve in the best way possible. However you choose to help—by sharing, engaging, or making history yourself—you’re playing a part in something special.
Ready to get involved? Follow, share, and let’s grow this together.
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We Already Have the Rugby World Cup – So Why the Shields?
The Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle of the sport—a moment every four years when the best teams on the planet battle for ultimate glory. It’s where legends are made, history is written, and the entire rugby world comes together. So why do we need the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields?
Because rugby doesn’t stop between World Cups.
The Shields provide something the RWC doesn’t: a continuous, lineal challenge that runs through every Test match, in every tournament, every year. While the World Cup determines the best team in a single tournament cycle, the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields create an unbroken title race that moves with the game itself. They connect the Six Nations, the Rugby Championship, the Pacific Nations Cup, and every standalone Test match, adding an extra layer of meaning to every contest.
With the Shields, a mid-year international or an autumn Test isn’t just about rankings—it’s a shot at becoming a lineal world champion. Any team, at any time, can seize the opportunity to claim a title that stretches back to rugby’s very first international matches.
This isn’t about replacing the RWC—it’s about enhancing the entire international calendar and ensuring that every Test match, not just those played in four-year cycles, carries the weight of history. Because in rugby, every game should matter.
The Raeburn Shield
Tracing winners in the men’s game since the first international in 1871…
The Utrecht Shield
Tracing winners in the women’s game since the first international in 1982…
The Face Behind the Shields
Rugby is a sport built on history, rivalry, and the relentless pursuit of silverware. But what if there was a prize that connected test matches, across every era, in a continuous battle for supremacy? That’s exactly what David Algie set out to create with the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields—rugby’s lineal challenge trophies.
A lifelong rugby fan with a passion for the sport’s heritage, David saw an opportunity to add something unique to the international game. Inspired by the way boxing’s world titles pass from champion to challenger, he wanted to apply the same concept to rugby—where every match, no matter the competition, could carry an extra layer of significance. By tracing back to the very first men’s and women’s internationals, he established the shields as trophies that move with the game itself, linking past legends to today’s players.
David’s mission is simple: to enhance the international game for players, coaches, and fans alike. The shields are already gaining global recognition, championed by rugby supporters who believe in their power to add history and meaning to every Test. While they are not yet officially recognised by World Rugby, their growing following proves that rugby’s best traditions aren’t just created in boardrooms—they’re built by the people who love the game.
Through the shields, David has given rugby a challenge that never ends, a title that any nation can win, and a way to celebrate the sport’s rich history in every single match. Now, the question is: who will claim it next?
