Rugby is one of the sports played on a rectangular field, where teams aim to score points by collectively advancing the ball into the scoring zone or touching it down.

Some say rugby is a game for the brave. Starting from the midline of the field, the ball carrier must withstand the attacking team’s attempts to tackle, grab, and tackle again, breaking through the defense to reach the opponent's territory and score.

Others describe rugby as a blend of "violent beauty" and intelligence. It requires a mix of strength, speed, teamwork, tactics, and strategy to savor the glory of victory.

There's also the perspective that rugby is the only "protagonist" in sports that allows variously colored, gendered, and aged "supporting actors" to converge on the field, becoming adversaries in the game yet off the field, forming deep friendships.

Rugby originated in 1823 in Rugby, England, at the Rugby School. Legend has it that during a school football match, a student named William Webb Ellis, remorseful for a missed kick, impulsively picked up the ball and ran toward the opponent's goal, sparking interest among spectators. This action, though initially considered a foul, intrigued onlookers.

The legend remains deeply ingrained despite historical researchers later debunking this story as a myth. A stone monument at Rugby School commemorates "the exploit of William Webb Ellis." Even the highest honor in rugby, the Rugby World Cup trophy, bears Webb Ellis's name, known as the Webb Ellis Cup.

Initially, bladders were used as balls, dried in the sun, and inflated, creating an oval shape different from the round shape of footballs, adding an element of unpredictability while rolling—a unique appeal of the sport. In 1851, Gilbert, a shoe merchant near Rugby School, crafted an oval ball stitched from four leather pieces for display at the London Exhibition. This marked the beginning of all British teams using Gilbert's four-piece stitched oval ball.

In 1845, the first set of rugby rules emerged, followed by several major rugby clubs in England breaking away from the English Football Association in 1863. Finally, in 1871, the first official rugby organization, the Rugby Football Union, was established.

Over time, rugby gradually spread worldwide, becoming a universally enjoyed sport.

With its blend of courage, strategy, and camaraderie, rugby stands as a testament to sports' transformative power. From its legendary origins to its global embrace, this game embodies resilience and inclusivity. Beyond the tackles and tries lies a tapestry of friendships formed on and off the field, transcending boundaries of age, gender, and background.

It's a game that unites individuals, fostering teamwork and celebrating diversity. Rugby's journey, rooted in valor and innovation, continues to inspire, echoing the spirit of determination and unity—a testament to how a sport can forge lasting connections and showcase the beauty of human endeavor.