Great Britain XVs: The story of rugby’s pioneers

On April 19, 1986, Great Britain hosted France at Richmond in the first international women's rugby union match on UK shores. The match, organised by pioneering women who met around kitchen tables, featured some of the great names of women's rugby, though preparations were far from professional — with some players reportedly eating a curry the night before. This historic fixture is credited with laying the foundation for the women's Six Nations and the broader growth of women's rugby across Europe.