George Thomson (rugby)
Encyclopedia
George Thomas Thomson was a rugby union
footballer of the 1870s and '80s who at representative level played for England
, and at club level for Halifax
, playing in the Forwards, e.g. Front row, Lock, or Back row. Prior to the 27th August 1895, Halifax was a rugby union
club.
while at Halifax in 1878 against Scotland, in 1882 against Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, in 1883 against Ireland, and Scotland, in 1884 against Ireland, and Scotland, and in 1885 against Ireland.
In the early years of rugby football the goal was to score goals, and a try
had zero value, but it provided the opportunity to try at goal, and convert the try to a goal with an unopposed kick at the goal posts. The point values of both the try and goal have varied over time, and in the early years footballers could "score" a try, without scoring any points.
code to the rugby league
code on the 27th August 1895, George Thomson would have been approximately 38. Consequently, he may have been both a rugby union and rugby league footballer for Halifax.
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
footballer of the 1870s and '80s who at representative level played for England
England national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
, and at club level for Halifax
Halifax RLFC
Halifax RLFC is one of the most historic rugby league clubs in the game, formed over a century ago, in 1873 in the Yorkshire town of Halifax. Known as 'Fax', the official club colours are blue and white hoops, blue shorts and blue socks . They share The Shay stadium with football club FC Halifax Town...
, playing in the Forwards, e.g. Front row, Lock, or Back row. Prior to the 27th August 1895, Halifax was a rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
club.
International honours
George Thomson won caps for EnglandEngland national rugby union team
The England national rugby union team represents England in rugby union. They compete in the annual Six Nations Championship with France, Ireland, Scotland, Italy, and Wales. They have won this championship on 26 occasions, 12 times winning the Grand Slam, making them the most successful team in...
while at Halifax in 1878 against Scotland, in 1882 against Ireland, Scotland, and Wales, in 1883 against Ireland, and Scotland, in 1884 against Ireland, and Scotland, and in 1885 against Ireland.
In the early years of rugby football the goal was to score goals, and a try
Try
A try is the major way of scoring points in rugby league and rugby union football. A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition's in-goal area...
had zero value, but it provided the opportunity to try at goal, and convert the try to a goal with an unopposed kick at the goal posts. The point values of both the try and goal have varied over time, and in the early years footballers could "score" a try, without scoring any points.
Change of Code
When Halifax converted from the rugby unionRugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
code to the rugby league
Rugby league
Rugby league football, usually called rugby league, is a full contact sport played by two teams of thirteen players on a rectangular grass field. One of the two codes of rugby football, it originated in England in 1895 by a split from Rugby Football Union over paying players...
code on the 27th August 1895, George Thomson would have been approximately 38. Consequently, he may have been both a rugby union and rugby league footballer for Halifax.