The expansion of rugby in the first half of the 19th century was driven by ex-pupils from many of England's Public Schools, especially Rugby, who, upon finishing school, took the game with them to universities, to London, and to the counties.
A expansión do rugby na primeira metade do século XIX foi debida a moitos ex-alumnos das Escolas Públicas Británicas, especialmente a de Rugby, onde os alumnos tras rematar os estudos, levaban o xogo ás universidades, a Londres e aos diferentes condados.