This Saturday sees the worlds oldest international "football " contest take place again at Murrayfield
SRU president Ed Crozier encouraged an article to be included in the Calcutta Cup match programme honouring two of the gallant pioneers both celebrating their 150ths this season
The role played by West of Scotland and one of Hawks founder clubs Glasgow Academicals is acknowledged with quotes from their respective presidents the redoubtable pairing of Allan Sneddon and John Beattie

Where it all began

John William Arthur was among five club rugby captains in Scotland who took to the pages of The Scotsman and Bell’s Life in London on 8 December 1870 to instigate the first international match against England.

Half-back J W Arthur of Glasgow Accies was joined by AH Robertson of West of Scotland, FJ Moncreiff of Edinburgh Accies, B Hall Blyth of Merchistonian and J H Oats of St Salvador, St Andrews University in offering a “challenge, any team selected from the whole of England, to play us a match, 20-a-side, rugby rules, either in Edinburgh or Glasgow on any day during the present season”.

The challenge was taken up by the English and the world’s first international rugby match was played on 27 March 1871 at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh, with the home side winning by one goal and one try to England’s solitary try.

J W Arthur was among four Glasgow Academicals in the Scotland 20 that day, while another founder member club of the Scottish Rugby Union, West of Scotland, who are also celebrating their 150th anniversary this season, was represented by the Ayr-born Alexander Hamilton Robertson in the pack.

Glasgow Academicals President John Beattie said: “As a club we are thrilled that along with our friends West of Scotland we were there at the birth of both domestic and international rugby in this country.

“We decided to make our 150th about helping others and so far we've collected undergarments and raised money for Scotland’s homeless and brought business connections to mentoring programmes for disadvantaged youngsters. I am really proud to be at the helm, albeit temporarily, of the Glasgow Academicals.”

West of Scotland President, Allan Snedden said: “When you are involved at West in any capacity you can't help but be very aware of the amazing history of the club and it's place in the story of the game we all love.

“The 150th celebrations were designed to mark that history, but we also wanted to use it as a spring-board to the club's future in a sport that has changed beyond recognition over the years.

“For me, it is all about ensuring the club is healthy and grows in the years to come. I watched our Micros (P1-P3) 'training' the other day. I'd love to think that they will raise a glass at a dinner in 2065 to mark the bi-centenary of the club.”

Scottish Rugby is honoured to have been loaned J W Arthur’s cap from that very first match and the Scotland thistle from his match jersey by the Glasgow Accies club. Both are on display in the President’s Suite at BT Murrayfield.