Rugby union at the 1900 Summer Olympics
Encyclopedia
Rugby union
was played at the 1900 Summer Olympics
in Paris. Matches were held on 14 October and 28 October. 47 athletes from three nations competed.
France
, Germany
, represented by the FC 1880 Frankfurt
, and Great Britain, represented by the Moseley Wanderers
, all participated in the inaugural rugby event at the Olympics. Only two games were contested, France played both Germany and Great Britain, the French winning both matches. This saw the gold go to France, and both Germany and Great Britain are credited with silver and no bronze awarded.
In the first half, France scored a try by Emile Sarrade
and a conversion. Germany scored tries by Heinrich Reitz
and August Schmierer
, with two conversions as well as a drop goal. Under the custom scoring rules of the Olympic tournament (3 points for tries or penalties, 2 points for conversions, 4 points for drop goals), this gave Germany a lead of 14–5.
The second half was vastly different, as Serrade scored two more tries while Albert Roosevelt
also scored two and Frantz Reichel
and A. Albert added one each. Two more conversions were made, bringing France's score to a total of 27. Germany, on the other hand, scored only one try, by one of the Ludwigs. France thus won the match 27–17.
Match 2
The British squad was shut out in the first half, while France continued the scoring barrage they had experienced in the second half of the Germany match. Serrade scored two tries, bringing his tournament total to five. Joseph Olivier
, Jean Collas
, and Jean-Guy Gauthier
each added a try. No conversions were scored, though André Rischmann
's two penalties brought France's first-half total to 21.
Britain actually outscored France in the second half, 8–6, but had little chance of catching up. Joseph Wallis scored a try while J. Henry Birtles
made a conversion and a penalty for Britain. Reichel scored his second try of the tournament, and Léon Binoche
added a try to bring France's victory to a 27–8 margin.
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...
was played at the 1900 Summer Olympics
1900 Summer Olympics
The 1900 Summer Olympics, today officially known as the Games of the II Olympiad, was an international multi-sport event which was celebrated in 1900 in Paris, France. No opening or closing ceremonies were held; competitions began on May 14 and ended on October 28. The Games were held as part of...
in Paris. Matches were held on 14 October and 28 October. 47 athletes from three nations competed.
France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
, Germany
Germany national rugby union team
Germany is a third-tier Rugby Union playing nation. Germany currently plays at the second level of European rugby but has never managed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup...
, represented by the FC 1880 Frankfurt
SC 1880 Frankfurt
The SC 1880 Frankfurt is a German rugby union club from Frankfurt am Main, currently playing in the Rugby-Bundesliga. Apart from rugby, the club also offers other sports like lacrosse, tennis and field hockey....
, and Great Britain, represented by the Moseley Wanderers
Moseley Wanderers
Moseley Wanderers represented Great Britain at the 1900 Summer Olympics at rugby union. They played one game, losing 27-8 to France, winning the Silver medal.-Rugby Union at the 1900 Olympics:...
, all participated in the inaugural rugby event at the Olympics. Only two games were contested, France played both Germany and Great Britain, the French winning both matches. This saw the gold go to France, and both Germany and Great Britain are credited with silver and no bronze awarded.
Results
Match 1| Match | Date | Winner | Score | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 14 October |  FranceFrance national rugby union team The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams... |
27–17 | Germany Germany national rugby union team Germany is a third-tier Rugby Union playing nation. Germany currently plays at the second level of European rugby but has never managed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup... |
Émile Sarrade
Émile Sarrade was a French rugby union player and tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal....
and a conversion. Germany scored tries by Heinrich Reitz
Heinrich Reitz
Heinrich Reitz was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
and August Schmierer
August Schmierer
August Schmierer was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal.Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
, with two conversions as well as a drop goal. Under the custom scoring rules of the Olympic tournament (3 points for tries or penalties, 2 points for conversions, 4 points for drop goals), this gave Germany a lead of 14–5.
The second half was vastly different, as Serrade scored two more tries while Albert Roosevelt
Albert Roosevelt
Albert Roosevelt was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:*...
also scored two and Frantz Reichel
Frantz Reichel
Frantz Reichel was a French athlete. He competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens as track and field athlete and at 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris as rugby union footballer....
and A. Albert added one each. Two more conversions were made, bringing France's score to a total of 27. Germany, on the other hand, scored only one try, by one of the Ludwigs. France thus won the match 27–17.
Match 2
| Match | Date | Winner | Score | Loser |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2 | 28 October | France France national rugby union team The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams... |
27–8 | Great Britain |
The British squad was shut out in the first half, while France continued the scoring barrage they had experienced in the second half of the Germany match. Serrade scored two tries, bringing his tournament total to five. Joseph Olivier
Joseph Olivier (rugby union)
Joseph Olivier was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:**...
, Jean Collas
Jean Collas
Jean Collas was a French rugby union player and tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal....
, and Jean-Guy Gauthier
Jean-Guy Gauthier
Jean-Guy Gauthier was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:*...
each added a try. No conversions were scored, though André Rischmann
André Rischmann
André Rischmann was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:**...
's two penalties brought France's first-half total to 21.
Britain actually outscored France in the second half, 8–6, but had little chance of catching up. Joseph Wallis scored a try while J. Henry Birtles
J. Henry Birtles
John Henry Birtles was a British rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British rugby union team, which won the silver medal.-External links:* *...
made a conversion and a penalty for Britain. Reichel scored his second try of the tournament, and Léon Binoche
Léon Binoche
Léon Binoche was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:*...
added a try to bring France's victory to a 27–8 margin.
Medal table
| 1900 Paris | France France national rugby union team The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams... |
 GermanyGermany national rugby union team Germany is a third-tier Rugby Union playing nation. Germany currently plays at the second level of European rugby but has never managed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup... Great Britain |
none awarded |
France
- Wladimir AïtoffWladimir AïtoffWladimir Aïtoff was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:*...
- A. Albert
- Léon BinocheLéon BinocheLéon Binoche was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:*...
- Jean CollasJean CollasJean Collas was a French rugby union player and tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal....
- Jean-Guy GauthierJean-Guy GauthierJean-Guy Gauthier was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:*...
- Auguste GirouxAuguste GirouxAuguste Giroux was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:*...
- Charles GondouinCharles GondouinCharles Gondouin was a French rugby union player and tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal....
- Constantin Henriquez de ZubieraConstantin Henriquez de ZubieraConstantin Henriquez de Zubiera was a Haitian-born French rugby union footballer. He played as number eight, wing and centre.He played at Olympique de Paris and Stade Français...
- J. Hervé
- Victor Larchandet
- Hubert LefèbvreHubert LefèbvreHubert Lefèbvre was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:*...
- Joseph OlivierJoseph Olivier (rugby union)Joseph Olivier was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:**...
- Alexandre PharamondAlexandre PharamondAlexandre Pharamond was the captain of the French rugby union team in the early 20th century.He led the team to the Gold Medal in the 1900 Summer Olympics....
- Frantz ReichelFrantz ReichelFrantz Reichel was a French athlete. He competed at the 1896 Summer Olympics in Athens as track and field athlete and at 1900 Summer Olympics in Paris as rugby union footballer....
- André RischmannAndré RischmannAndré Rischmann was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:**...
- Albert RooseveltAlbert RooseveltAlbert Roosevelt was a French rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal.-External links:*...
- Emile SarradeÉmile SarradeÉmile Sarrade was a French rugby union player and tug of war competitor, who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the French rugby union team, which won the gold medal....
Germany
- Albert AmrheinAlbert AmrheinAlbert Amrhein was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team...
- Hugo BettingHugo BettingHugo Betting was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Jacob HerrmannJacob HerrmannJacob Herrmann was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Willy HofmeisterWilly HofmeisterWilly Hofmeister was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Hermann KreuzerHermann KreuzerHermann Kreuzer was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Arnold LandvoigtArnold LandvoigtArnold Landvoigt was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Hans LatschaHans LatschaHans Latscha was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Erich LudwigErich LudwigErich Ludwig was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.He is the brother of Richard...
- Richard LudwigRichard LudwigRichard Ludwig was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.He is the brother of Erich...
- Fritz MüllerFritz Müller (rugby player)Fritz Müller was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Eduard PoppeEduard PoppeEduard Poppe was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Heinrich ReitzHeinrich ReitzHeinrich Reitz was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- August SchmiererAugust SchmiererAugust Schmierer was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal.Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Adolf StockhausenAdolf StockhausenAdolf Stockhausen was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
- Georg WenderothGeorg WenderothGeorg Wenderoth was a German rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the German rugby union team, which won the silver medal. Germany was represented at the tournament by the FC 1880 Frankfurt rather than an official national team.-External links:* *...
Great Britain
- F. C. Bayliss
- J. Henry BirtlesJ. Henry BirtlesJohn Henry Birtles was a British rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British rugby union team, which won the silver medal.-External links:* *...
- James CantionJames Cantion-Olympics:In 1900 he was a member of the Moseley Wanderers RFC who represented Great Britain & Ireland in the 1900 Olympic Games.Britain was one of three teams to compete in the first Olympic rugby games. Britain lost its only game, against France. The game against Germany was cancelled due to...
- Arthur DarbyArthur DarbyArthur John Lovett Darby was a British rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics....
- Clement DeykinClement DeykinClement Pemberton Deykin was a British rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British rugby union team, which won the silver medal.-External links:**...
- L. Hood
- M. L. Logan
- H. A. Loveitt
- Herbert NicolHerbert NicolHerbert St. John Nicol was a British rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British rugby union team, which won the silver medal.-External links:*...
- V. Smith
- M. W. Talbot
- Joseph Wallis
- Claude WhittindaleClaude WhittindaleClaude Whittindale was a British rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British rugby union team, which won the silver medal.-External links:*...
- Raymond WhittindaleRaymond WhittindaleRaymond Whittindale was a British rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British rugby union team, which won the silver medal.-External links:*...
- Francis WilsonFrancis Wilson (rugby union footballer)Francis Henry "Frank" Wilson was a British rugby union player who competed in the 1900 Summer Olympics.He was a member of the British rugby union team, which won the silver medal.-External links:*...