Museum of Rugby

The World Rugby Museum previously the Museum of Rugby is a museum concerned with the sport of rugby union (as opposed to the separate sport of rugby league) located at the home of the England national rugby union team, Twickenham Stadium in West London, England. It was established in 1996.

The Museum tells the history of the sport using interactive display techniques. It covers the whole of the global game, not just English rugby. It is usually open every day of the week except for Mondays. Except match days entry is by combined ticket with the Twickenham Stadium Tour. The Rugby World Cup trophy was on display at the Museum from 2003 to 2005 as England were the 2003 world champions. A 3/4 replica of the trophy is permanently on display.

The Museum has a rolling programme of special exhibitions which cover topical issues and offer an opportunity to display some of the obscurer items in the collection; the works of several rugby genre artists, including local artist Allan Storer's,rugby painting,"Victory".

Special Exhibitions: February - September 2008 Twickenham Tenants: Harlequins at HQThis exhibition explores why Harlequins played at Twickenham between 1909 and 1990, who played here and why they left. On display will be memorabilia from the Adrian Stoop Collection, including his caps, scrapbooks and medals. Memorabilia from other famous Harlequins, such as W.W. Wakefield and Ronald Poulton Palmer will also be on show.

Twickenham Stadium Tours are also available through the Museum and run 4 times per day (Tuesday to Saturday) and twice on Sundays. Highlights include visiting the England Rugby changing room and going through the Twickenham Tunnel to pitch side.

ee also

*The James Gilbert Rugby Football Museum - a rugby museum in the town of Rugby in Warwickshire.
*Richard Lindon the inventor of the "Oval" rugby ball, the inflatable rubber bladder and the Brass hand pump.

External links

* [http://www.rfu.com/microsites/museum Official RFU site]
* [http://www.richardlindon.com Richard Lindon.com website]