When you become a Richmond Rugby member, you're not simply securing your spot to watch the rugby; you're becoming part of one of the most historic clubs in the sport of rugby.

Founded in 1861, Richmond Rugby is the second-oldest rugby club in the world and one of the eight founding members of the Rugby Football Union. For more than 160 years, the club has helped shape the game we know today.

In 1864, Richmond played Blackheath in rugby's first-ever inter-club fixture, creating a rivalry that still burns brightly today. Seven years later, Richmond helped establish the RFU, becoming one of the pioneers of organised rugby.

The club's influence continued throughout the decades. Richmond hosted New Zealand during their first-ever tour in 1905, took part in the first match played at Twickenham in 1909, and later became one of the driving forces behind the growth of women's rugby in England.

The club's history is not simply something displayed in a cabinet. It remains part of Richmond Rugby's identity today. That is why we proudly call ourselves Rugby's Original.

Richmond's story has never been straightforward. Following the introduction of professionalism in the 1990s, the club enjoyed a remarkable rise to the Premiership, attracting international stars including Ben Clarke, Scott Quinnell and Agustín Pichot.

When financial difficulties threatened the club's future in 1999, many believed Richmond Rugby's story was over. Instead, it became one of rugby's greatest comeback stories. After getting forced all the way back to the Herts/Middlesex 1 (Division 9), we embarked on a remarkable climb back through the leagues, achieving four consecutive promotions and a national record 83 league victories in a row along the way.

The club returned to the Championship in 2016 and, after a two year stint in National One, secured promotion back to the newly formed Champ Rugby competition in 2025.

Richmond Rugby Today
Today, Richmond Rugby remains one of the largest and most vibrant community rugby clubs in the country.

Across the club, 29 teams represent Richmond Rugby, from minis and youth rugby through to senior men's and women's rugby, walking rugby and touch rugby.

Every week, hundreds of players, volunteers, coaches and supporters contribute to making the Richmond Athletic Ground one of the most welcoming rugby environments in England.

The club's commitment to its people extends beyond the pitch, through our fundamental charity arm, The Richmond Heavies Foundation. TRHF offer cardiac screening programmes and mental health support services to players, staff and members within the Richmond Rugby Community, and defibrillators to the wider Rugby and local community.

The Richmond Athletic Ground is more than a venue. It is a home for rugby, community events, families and supporters from across South West London and beyond.

Rob Powell and the Squad
Leading the rugby programme is Head of Rugby Rob Powell, who has been a key figure at Richmond Rugby since 2013 and has served as Head Coach since 2022.

This is Powell’s second tenure in the Champ, having previously coached the side in the 2022/23 season before securing promotion from Nation League 1 in 2025 and successfully retaining a place in the Champ during the first season back in the second tier in 2025/26.

Promotion from National One was secured in emphatic fashion in 2025, with Richmond winning the league title with two games to spare.

The challenge that followed was significant. Competing against established Champ clubs, many operating with larger budgets and full-time programmes, Richmond's primary objective was simple: stay in the league.

The squad delivered. Richmond finished the regular season with seven victories and 41 points, securing 12th place in a fiercely competitive division. Highlights included victories over Cambridge home and away, wins against Nottingham, Chinnor, Caldy and Hartpury.

The season concluded with a 34-11 victory over local rivals London Scottish in the Champ relegation play-off, securing Richmond's place in the league for another season.

For a club that had only recently returned to the Champ, it represented a significant achievement and an important platform to build upon.

Looking ahead to 2026/27
Attention now turns to the club's second season back in Champ Rugby.

One of the headline fixtures of the campaign will see Blackheath return to the second tier following their promotion from National One for the first time in over 2 decades. The rivalry between Richmond and Blackheath stretches back to rugby's first inter-club fixture in 1864, and this time it will be on the biggest stage in the rivalry's history.

Supporters can also look forward to welcoming back some of the division's biggest names to the Richmond Athletic Ground, including Worcester Warriors, Ealing Trailfinders and Cornish Pirates.

But while the opposition may change, Richmond's ambitions remain the same. The club will continue to compete, develop and grow while remaining true to the values that have carried it through more than 160 years of rugby history.

Whether you are a lifelong supporter or joining us for the first time, we look forward to welcoming you to the Richmond Athletic Ground for the 2026/27 season.

Welcome to Rugby’s Original, Richmond Rugby.