What animal is on top of the Calcutta cup?

Answer 1

It's an elephant. The history is interesting regarding the origins of this cup

The Calcutta Rugby Club was set up by traveling sportsmen, often cricketers, public school connections and the military in 1872 but did not really gain a foothold; rugby is far too physical to play in the stifling heat of India and, besides, there was competition from other sport like polo and cricket; far more leisurely and civilised.

The members of the Calcutta Rugby Club realised this and the Club was wound up after only five years, but on finalising the books, the coffers were found to be quite healthy; the Calcutta Rugby Club was sitting on the princely sum of around £60 - all in silver rupees!

The decision was made to have a trophy of some sort produced from these silver rupees and to offer the trophy to the RFU with the condition that it should be played for in a rugby match. The RFU agreed and the first Calcutta Cup match was played between England and Scotland in 1879 hence the first International fixture was formed. The match ended in a draw. The England Scotland fixture has been played annually for the Calcutta Cup.