The Raeburn and Utrecht Shields

International Rugby is at it’s peak when all nations can compete for the same prize and would be improved by a central prize to act as a common thread between all nations unions which also provides something to fill the 4 year interim between our beloved RWCs The Raeburn Shield (Mens) and Utrecht Shield (Womens) are Challenge Trophy’s put up by the current holders, or defenders, in every match they play home or away (in the same manner as a world boxing title). The winner would either remain or become the holder. It stretches back in this manner from the very first games of International Rugby Union for both the mens and womens games and the challenge shields are named after those first matches: The first mens international in 1871 between Scotland and England played at Raeburn Place in Edinburgh. The first womens international in 1982 between Nehterlands and France played In Utrecht At this stage the shield is building recognition globally with rugby fans and is not recognised by World Rugby we believe it should be and every person you share this website with and every like on our facebook page contributes to showing how this great concept should become reality. Scotland and the Netherlands became the first holders of these mythical shields and they have changed hands many times since then. Go to: www.raeburnshield.com or www.utrechtshield.com