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.
Early history
Cardiff RFC were formed from the amalgamation 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 after due to persistent crowd trouble. A notable early player was Fran Hancock. A skilful centre, Hancock first played for Cardiff due to an injury to a first regular. At this time, rugby was played with six backs and nine forwards but Hancock's performance so impressed the selectors that for the next game they selected him as a seventh back and selected only eight forwards. The system was soon adopted by the Welsh national team and the seven backs and eight forwards system exists in rugby to this day.
The Arms Park
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
Today, Cardiff RFC Ltd runs two sides - both playing at the Arms Park. The first team, branded Cardiff Blues take part in the Celtic League, Anglo-Welsh Cup and Heineken Cup. The Cardiff RFC team take part in the Welsh Premiership.
Club honours
Heineken Cup Runners-up 1996
Welsh Cup: 1981, 1982, 1984, 1986, 1987, 1994 and 1997
Welsh League: 1995
Welsh/Scottish League: 2000
Notable former players - B.B.Mann
- Percy Bush
- Ritchie Collins
- Gareth Davies
- Gerald Davies
- Gareth Edwards
- Rhys Gabe
- Terry Holmes
- Rob Howley
- Jonathan Humphreys
- Barry John
- Gwyn Jones
- Emyr Lewis
- Jack Matthews
- Cliff Morgan
- Gwyn Nicholls
- Mike Rayer
- Mark Ring
- John Scott
- Anthony Sullivan
- Gareth Thomas
- Nigel Walker
- Bleddyn Williams
- Wilfred Wooller
- David 'Dai' Young
 Website: http://www.cardiffrfc.com/
 Cardiff RFC
Cardiff Arms Park
Westgate Street
Cardiff
CF10 1JA
 Tel: 029 20 30 2000
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