The First International In Lansdowne Road – March 11, 1878

Today marks 138 years to the day since the first rugby international played on the hallowed turf of Lansdowne Road.

Ireland played England on what was then known as the Irish Champion Athletic Club, Lansdowne Road, having played a previous match against them at the Leinster Cricket Ground in 1875.

England won the match by two goals (a goal is a converted try) and a try to Ireland’s nil.

This match report from the Freeman’s Journal, published on March 12, 1878, gives a flavour of the day:

Even in those days selection was a contentious issue as the report shows: