World Rugby Hall of Fame to open in Rugby in November

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Bill BeaumontImage source, Getty Images
Image caption,
World Rugby chairman Bill Beaumont said the facility would "celebrate the sport's rich tradition and history"

A Hall of Fame celebrating rugby union's past will be officially opened at the birthplace of the sport in five weeks' time.

The World Rugby Hall of Fame will be at Rugby Art Gallery and Museum in the Warwickshire town.

Twelve people will be inducted into the Hall of Fame when it is opened by ex-England and British and Irish Lions captain Bill Beaumont on 17 November.

It will then open to the public permanently the following day.

The interactive facility will combine video archive from World Rugby, rugby union's governing body and historical memorabilia.

Image caption,
The William Webb Ellis statue on Dunchurch Road is outside Rugby School

Beaumont, the chairman of World Rugby, said it would "celebrate the sport's rich tradition and history while also providing inspiration for the current and future generations of players, officials and supporters of the game".

He stated he wished to thank Rugby Borough Council for its "energy and... commitment to this project".

World Rugby vice chairman and ex-Argentina international Agustin Pichot will also be among those at the official opening.

Image caption,
William Gilbert was already supplying balls to Rugby School "when William Webb Ellis first picked up and ran with the ball," Gilbert has said

Although there were no formal rules for the game of football, during William Webb Ellis's time at Rugby School the practice was for the player catching the ball to move backwards prior to kicking it, the Webb Ellis Museum in Rugby has said.

It is reputed that Webb Ellis ran forward with the ball after catching it in 1823, thus establishing this distinctive element of the game.

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