The modern sport of Rugby League that is played throughout the world today has its origins in late 19th century Britain. A group of clubs based in the north of the country which participated in the one unified rugby code of the time broke away from their governing body to form their own competition and governing body. The Northern Rugby Football Union was born in 1895 and gradually changed over the years to the Northern Rugby Football League and Finally to the governing body we know to day as the Rugby Football League (RFL).

Their motivation was the desire to offer fair compensation to their players for the time off work that was required for playing in Saturday matches. That was a practice outlawed at the time by the then Rugby Football Union and this social phenomenon was the catalyst for a true sporting revolution.

From this point onwards, the game began to evolve via a series of radical and innovative structural changes and changes to on-field rules, until it grew into the vibrant and exciting modern sport we know today as Rugby League.

It wasn't until the 1990's that rugby league began to significantly change:

1996

Super League is introduced.

The sport movers to a summer season.

Video replays introduced to assist referees with try scoring decisions.

Clubs in the top division become professional with full time coaches and playing squads.

2008

Great Britain team separates into Scotland, England, Wales
and Ireland, in order to boost international development and to compete in the 2008 World Cup.

The story in Scotland began way back in 1909 when the visiting Kangaroos played against a ‘Select Team' in Glasgow. This match was followed by another in Edinburgh in 1911. However, Rugby League did not take hold at this time as the game of football boomed across the country.

From the sport's earliest years, there have been Scottish players in Rugby League, including Great Britain internationals such as Dave Valentine, who captained GB to World Cup Victory in 1954, David Rose and the stylish fullback George Fairbairn.

The rise of Rugby League in Scotland has been significant in recent years:

1997...

With the popularity of Super League, the first domestic league is established north of the border.

2000 & 2002...

The Challenge Cup, Rugby League's most historic and prestigious competition brings its final to Scotland and Murrayfield Stadium.

2008...

Scotland secure their first World Cup win, defeating Fiji at the tournament in Australia.

2009...

‘Magic Weekend' : a full round of Super League fixtures is played at Murrayfield Stadium, attracting 60,000 supporters and raising the profile of Rugby League in Scotland to new levels. The RFL employ three new full time staff, two in development and one in commercial.

2010...

‘Magic Weekend' returns to Murrayfield. Scotland 'A' win the amateur four nations championships with a Grand Slam and the Alitalia European Cup returns to Anniesland for Scotland vs. Wales

2011...