The records indicate they were first introduced by the IRB 10 years ago in 1999.
The union code started in 1872 and was introduced by British merchants - league came in 1895
Glen Jackson
To Contol the game and make sure nobody Breaks the rules
Rugby Union
Rugby union was :) the rugby union club i captain is the oldest rugby club in the world
In regional rugby union there is a 1 -referee - 2 assistant referees - a TMO(television match official) on occasion and a citing official In standard games you have - 1 referee and 2 assistant referees
The first player ever to do this was welsh ledgend Jonhathon Davies.
In Rugby Union: 30 + 1 referee + 2 assistant referees = 33. In Rugby League 26 + 1 referee + 2 touch judges/linesmans = 29.
below regional level there are 3 - The referee and 2 assistant referees At Regional level there is a Referee, 2 assistant referees and a TMO (Television Match Official)
There have alwayas been reserves, but where only allowed to come on for injurys. But reserves as we know it came in in 1996
Rugby League was first played in Northern England after separating from the Rugby 'Union'.
Packwood Haugh