There are many differences between Bishops and Rugby. The most obvious is age (282 years). Rugby was founded in 1567 And in contrast to Bishops more peaceful uprisings (think slicked-back hair in the '70s and '80), Rugby has also been the seat of at least three pupil rebellions of an intensity that would make even Bishops boys blanch. The first, in 1797, was ended by soldiers surrounding the revolting boys and arresting them at bayonet point. It certainly makes the punishment of an hour's gardening seem quite tame.

Rugby is also co-educational (fully since 1995, with boys and girls now split almost 50:50). 90% of the pupils board.

But there are many similarities, too, and not just because both schools have a boarding house called School House! Rugby as a sport is central to the games offered by both schools; the pupil headcount is the same at around 800 (speaking of Bishops College); and both, periodically, suffer from accusations of elitism (an interesting feature of Rugby is that 44% of its pupils are supported by bursaries, 16% of whom are on full bursaries).

Both schools introduced rugby to their respective countries and the recognition of the importance of Bishops influence on the game is very evident in the Webb Ellis Museum in the heart of the town (of Rugby!).

And lastly, the alumni ties for both schools are the same colours and stripes, but with the Old Rugbeian tie stripes move in the opposite direction.

Mike Bayly (1983S) is the Director of Sport at Rugby and hosted ODs at the School on Saturday December 2nd, a bitterly cold day, during which visit we were shown every corner of the School, learnt its history and watched their 1st XV beat old rivals Cheltenham 14-8 in the end-of-year derby.

The match also brought to a close the year-long celebrations marking the 200th anniversary of the "invention" of the game by a 17 year old Rugby schoolboy, William Webb Ellis who in 1823

"with a fine disregard for the rules of football first took the ball in his arms and ran with it thus originating the distinctive feature of the rugby game".

We were so fortunate to have Tim Day, Rugby's Head of Alumni Relations and Director of Admissions, and a former pupil and teacher at the School, show us around. Tim's knowledge, humour, love for Rugby and of rugby and ability to engage with us were incredible and had us hanging on his every word. 

He wasn't able to make the whole of the pub lunch as he had to referee one of the matches in the afternoon, but nevertheless, in true schoolmaster style, rushed in about five minutes before his kick-off to have a preparatory pint.

To both Mike and Tim, huge thanks.

We were also very fortunate to connect with Mike Pike (Bishops staff, 1969-1989) who after leaving Bishops, taught at Rugby for a decade and now curates the Webb Ellis Rugby Museum. At least two of our group were taught by him. Mike showed us around the museum and then did a brief check with his former pupils to see how much they recalled of his maths' classes.

For all the photos of a fabulous outing and to see which ODs made the trip, CLICK HERE.