Match Preview

Richmond Men’s 1st XV host Blackheath in Round 21 of National League 1 tomorrow night kicking off at 8pm. This game is the 160th Anniversary of the oldest club rugby fixture in the world and was first played on January 2nd 1864.

International Women’s Day falls on Friday 8th March 2024, this coincides with Richmond Men's 1st XV vs Blackheath. The fixture between these two great teams is the oldest club fixture in the world and this year we celebrate its 160th anniversary.

Whilst we don’t have a Women’s XV fixture here that day we still want to be able to mark the event. By way of thanking our female volunteers, members, players and supporters for their contribution to the club we are offering FREE ENTRY to all women for the match.

The best moment to celebrate our Women’s XV players and team supporters is on Saturday 23rd March when the team play Sutton & Epsom Women on the grandstand pitch immediately following the Men’s First XV game against Chinnor. This date also coincides with the next Richmond Club Day and will be a day where we can all come together in celebration of all of our love of the game and the club.

The 2nd January 2024 was the 160th anniversary of the world’s first inter-club rugby fixture when Richmond FC took on Blackheath FC on Richmond Green and saw out a nil-all thriller!

Since then, the clubs have met many times and the tie is much-enjoyed by players and fans of both sides. You can re-live the 150th anniversary meeting of the two clubs from an old BT Sport Rugby Tonight special featuring Gareth Edwards and favourites from both clubs here. It was another draw!

For those unable to make the game, coverage will be provided on X (formerly known as Twitter) at RichmondFC1861

Head Coach, Rob Powell, has made only one change from his last side that played Cinderford in the previous round.

In the front row, Barnaby Vaughan packs down at loose-head prop.

In the backline, Lewis Dennett starts at fly-half pulling the strings and achieving his 50th appearance at inside centre, a fantastic achievement is the hard hitter that is Henry Cheeseman!

First XV (1-15)

1. Barnaby Vaughan – Sponsored by David Whibley
2. Alexander Post © - Sponsored by Andrew Gordon
3. Ntinga Mpiko – Sponsored by Chris Mills
4. Jake Monson – Sponsored by Ollie Quigley
5. George Nugent – Sponsored by Ian Hart
6. David Massey – Sponsored by Tim Mott
7. Miles Wakeling – Sponsored by Colebrook Offshore
8. Mark Bright – Sponsored by Graham Talling
9. Luc Jones – Sponsored by Tony Dorman
10. Lewis Dennett – Sponsored by Mermaid Gin
11. Hamish Graham – Sponsored by Kingsbridge Private Hospital
12. Henry Cheeseman – Sponsored by Denise Williams and Bob Scott
13. Paddy Case – Sponsored by Geoff Hotten
14. Chidera Obonna – Sponsored by John Heaton
15. Alex O’Meara – Sponsored by Tim Forrester

Replacements

16. Callum Torpey – Sponsored by Table Twenty
17. Archie Maggs – Sponsored by James Rosa Associates Ltd
18. Henry Wills – Sponsored by Metatrak
19. Matt Marsh – Sponsored by Chris Banks
20. Alex Burrage – Sponsored by 213kg.com

In case you haven’t tired of enough Richmond/Blackheath firsts…

• In 1871, Richmond and Blackheath jointly invited other clubs, “those who play the rugby-type game”, to a meeting at which the RFU was founded
• The first RFU President was Richmond-man Algenon Rutter
• Richmond hosted the first-ever floodlit rugby match in 1878

MATCH TICKET PRICES:

• Women: FREE
• Match entrance for members online or at the gate: £12
• Match entrance for non-members online: £18
• Match entrance for non-members at the gate: £20
• Under 16's: Free
• Student price: £6

Getting here
The RAG is ideally located with excellent public transport links. Fast trains from Waterloo reach Richmond in 15 minutes – the station is less than five minutes' walk from the Ground. Alternatively, use the District Line underground service London Overground or one of the numerous buses which come to Richmond from all parts of London.

We also have plenty of parking spaces on-site should you wish to drive.