Known more commonly as simply rugby, the sport developed in England in the 1800 as another form of football at Rugby School (a well known co-ed boarding school located in the town of Rugby, Warwickshire, UK). Contenders were allowed to uses their hands to carry the ball towards the goal. The game became popular outside the school system and several clubs sprung up all over England and in the colonies. 

In January 1871, 22 clubs gathered and formed the Rugby Football Union. The first international match, between England and Scotland was played in the same year; twenty players per side, 13 forwards, 3 half backs, 1 three quarter and three fullbacks. In 1886 the International Rugby Board (IRB) was formed. It currently has 96 full member Unions and 19 Associate members.

The Trinidad and Tobago Rugby Football Union is full member union for this country since 1992.