#ONTHISDAY - 25TH JANUARY 1896 - WAL Vs SCO

Wales won the Raeburn Shield off of Scotland in a two try win at Cardiff Arms Park.

With awful conditions and a wet heavy field Wales ran in two tries to Cliff Bowen and Arthur Gould in what was described by Cardiff Rugby Museum as "Brilliant running and passing"

Gould was an interesting figure of the time and retired in some controversy the following year having been awarded a house from testimonials held for him.

The other home unions claimed this made Gould a professional and resulted in cancelled matches with the whole affair eventually settled by Goulds retirement.

The house in question "Thornberry" now has a blue plaque commemorating Arthur Gould.

What is the Raeburn Shield?

International Rugby is at it’s peak when all nations can compete for the same prize and would be improved by something to fill the 4 year interim between our beloved RWC

The Raeburn Shield is a Challenge Trophy to be put up by the current holder, or defender, in every match it plays home or away (in the same manner as a world boxing title). The winner would either remain or become the holder. 

It stretches back in this manner from the very first game of International Rugby Union in 1871 between Scotland and England played at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh (Hence the name).

Scotland became the first holders and this mythical shield has changed hands many times since then.

The aim is to get this recognised by World Rugby and add another interesting slant to international rugby where all nations could claim the ultimate prize without requiring any additional fixtures in the global calendar.

#WorldChallengeShield #WinnersSince1871 #Mythical #DoesntExistButShould #History #Wales #Scotland #Rugby