Rugby union in England

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Rugby union in England
Celebrations in Trafalgar Square after England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup.
Country	England
Governing body	Rugby Football Union
National team(s)	England
First played	1823, Rugby
Registered players	340,347 [1]
Clubs	2,099
National competitions
World Cup Six Nations World Cup 7s World Rugby 7s London 7s Women's World Cup Women's Six Nations Women's 7s Series
Club competitions
European Champions Cup European Challenge Cup Premiership Premiership Cup Middlesex 7s RFU Championship RFU Championship Cup Premier 15s (women)

Rugby union in England is one of the leading professional and recreational team sports. In 1871 the Rugby Football Union, the governing body for rugby union in England, was formed by 21 rugby clubs, and the first international match, which involved England, was played in Scotland. The England national team compete annually in the Six Nations Championship, and are former world champions after winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The top domestic men's club competition is Premiership Rugby, and English clubs also compete in international competitions such as the European Rugby Champions Cup. The top domestic women's competition is the Premier 15s.