When did English rugby start?

Answer 1

The game of Rugby started in its earliest creation in 1823 when a student of Rugby School Warwickshire picked up a ball and instead of running backward (as was the rules of football at the time) ran toward the opposing goal.

The legislation of Rugby came later when rules were formalised.This took place on January 26th 1871 and was attended by 21 clubs at the Pall Mall Restaurant in London's Regent Street. Some of the represented clubs still play today, most notably Harlequins and Blackheath, and London Wasps should be in that list as well but, although they planned to attend the meeting, their representative purportedly received incorrect information on the time and place (although it has been suggested that the man in question was simply too drunk to find the restaurant).

The chief consequence of the meeting was the foundation of the Rugby Football Union.

Answer 2

Season 1871-72.