Rugby School has joined forces with NextGenXV, The Home of Grassroots Rugby, 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.

The partnership with NextGenXV 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.

NextGenXV’s mission is to celebrate school sport and to bring it to the big screen via live streams with games hosted on their YouTube channel where more than 18,000 die-hard rugby fans subscribe and wait for notifications of live games. Staff also simulcast games on social media channels increasing the world-wide reach to a subscribed audience of over 60,000.

“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 pupils, 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 the year to come and cannot wait for 2023 to come around. The Close has seen some extraordinary moments over 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/

ENDS

*Patrons: Maggie Alphonsi MBE, Lawrence Dallaglio OBE, Alex Grove, Sarah Hunter MBE, Martin Johnson CBE, Huw Jones, Jason Leonard OBE, Nigel Owens MBE, Emily Scarratt MBE, Mike Tindall MBE and Jonny Wilkinson CBE.

For further information, please contact: Amanda Hunter, Head of Marketing & Communications, tel: 01788556105/07942 828246; email: ah@rugbyschool.net