Rugby Facts to ponder during Lockdown!

During these days of 'Lockdown' I have been pondering all things Rugby on the world wide web.  Thought I would share some facts I have found as I surfed.  Maybe you also have some facts that you have discovered and want to share?  Please feel free to add them.

The first rugby balls were plum-shaped because they were made of pig bladders. In the late 1800s they were slightly egg-shaped and made from rubber inner tubes. They have evolved to the oval shape of today, as oval balls are easier to catch, hold and run with. Source

CAPS
The International cap originates from Rugby, as well as the distinctive posts that go up well above the cross bar. It became near impossible to kick the ball between the posts due to the number of young men who were too young to follow-up and who packed the goal mouth. Hence the kickers began to kick over the crossbar.

Rugby has only been played as an Olympic sport four times.   Source

Rugby is the National sport of three countries; Wales, Madagascar and New Zealand.   Source

The same whistle is used to kick off the opening game of every Rugby World Cup tournament. It is the Gil Evans whistle and was first blown by Gil Evans, the Welsh referee overseeing a match between England and New Zealand in 1905. It was also used at the kick off of the final rugby match at the 1924 Paris Olympics.

Webb Ellis went on to win a Blue for cricket at Oxford and became an Anglican clergyman.   Source

A giant rugby ball suspended from the Eiffel Tower commemorates France's hosting of the 2007 World Cup. 

And how about listing the Numbers and Positions of Rugby

Forwards

1 : Loose head prop

2 : Hooker

3 : Tight head prop

4 : Lock / Second row

5 : Lock / Second row

6 : Blind side flanker / blind-side wing-forward

7 : Open side flanker / open-side wing-forward

8 : Number 8

Backs

9 : Scrum-half (or half-back)

10 : Fly half/outside-half/outhalf (or first-five-eighth)

11 : Left-wing

12 : Inside centre (or second-five-eighth)

13 : Outside centre

14 : Right-wing

15 : Fullback