The history of the team extends back to 1871
when the English rugby team played their first official test match, losing 1–0
to Scotland. England dominated the early Home Nations Championship (now the Six
Nations) which started in 1883. Following the schism of rugby football in 1895
into union and league, England did not win the Championship again until 1910.
They first played against New Zealand in 1905, South Africa in 1906, and
Australia in 1909. England was one of the teams invited to take part in the
inaugural Rugby World Cup in 1987 and progressed to the final in the second
tournament in 1991, losing 12–6 to Australia. Following their Grand Slam in
2003, England went on to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup, defeating Australia
20–17 in extra time. They contested the final again in 2007 in defence of their
title, losing 15–6 to South Africa, and reached the final for the fourth time
in 2019, once again losing to South Africa, 32–12.
England players traditionally wear a white shirt with a rose embroidered on the chest, white shorts, and navy blue socks with a white trim. England's home ground is Twickenham Stadium where they first played in 1910. The team is administered by the Rugby Football Union (RFU). Four former players have been inducted into the International Rugby Hall of Fame; one of these is also a member of the IRB Hall of Fame. Seven other former players are members of the IRB Hall – four solely for their accomplishments as players, two solely for their achievements in other roles in the sport, and one for achievements both as a player and administrator.