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Cardiff Rugby Football Club was founded 1876. The club played their first few matches at Sophia Gardens, but soon relocated to Cardiff Arms Park, where they have been based ever since. They built a reputation as one of the great clubs in world rugby largely through a series of wins against international touring sides. South Africa and New Zealand have been beaten by Cardiff. Australia have failed to beat them in six attempts. Cardiff have provided more players to the Welsh national side and British Lions than any other Welsh club.

Contents 1 Early History 2 The Arms Park 3 Today 4 Club honours 5 Notable former players 6 External links

Cardiff RFC were formed from the almalgamation of two other clubs and played their first fixture on 2 December 1876, versus Newport at Wentloog Marshes. In 1881 Cardiff beat Llanelli to win the South Wales Challenge Cup, though the tournament was scrapped soon afterward due to persistent crowd trouble. A notable early player was Fran Hancock. A skillfull centre, Hancock first played for Cardiff due to an injury to a first regular. At this time, rugby was played with 6 backs and 9 forwards but Hancocks performance so impressed the selectors that for the next game they selected him as a 7th back and selected only 8 forwards. The system was soon adopted by the Welsh national team and the7 backs and 8 forwards system exists in rugby to this day.

A new stadium was built in 1969 as a result of an agreement between the Cardiff Athletic Club and the Welsh Rugby Union. Club Rugby games were moved to what was the cricket ground on the site. In 1999 a brand new stadium was built in place of the old one, which was named the Millennium Stadium. Cardiff RFC still play at the Cardiff Arms Park which is beside the Millennium Stadium.

Today Cardiff RFC Ltd runs two sides - both playing at the Arms Park. Cardiff Blues take part in the Celtic League, Anglo-Welsh Cup and Heineken Cup. Cardiff RFC take part in the Welsh Premiership.

• Heineken Cup Runners-up 1996.
• Welsh Cup: 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1994 and 1997.
• Welsh League: 1995.
• Welsh/Scottish League: 2000.

• Percy Bush
• Gerald Davies
• Gareth Edwards
• Rhys Gabe
• Terry Holmes
• Rob Howley
• Jonathan Humphreys
• Barry John
• Gwyn Jones
• Jack Matthews
• Cliff Morgan
• Gwyn Nicholls
• Mike Rayer
• Mark Ring
• John Scott
• Gareth Thomas
• Bleddyn Williams
• Wilfred Wooller
• David 'Dai' Young

• Cardiff RFC website

v • d • e Rugby union in Wales
Federation:	Welsh Rugby Union
National team:	Wales national team • Wales Sevens • British and Irish Lions
International Competitions:	Rugby World Cup • Six Nations Championship • Heineken Cup • European Challenge Cup • European Shield • Celtic League • Powergen Cup • Rugby World Cup Sevens • IRB Sevens World Series
Domestic Competitions:	Welsh Premier Division • Welsh Cup • ASDA League
Welsh Regions:	Cardiff Blues • Llanelli Scarlets • Newport Gwent Dragons • Ospreys
Welsh Premier Division teams:	Aberavon • Bedwas • Bridgend Ravens • Cardiff • Cross Keys • Ebbw Vale • Glamorgan Wanderers • Llandovery • Llanelli • Maesteg • Neath • Newport • Pontypridd • Swansea Sharks