With a proud history steeped in the origins of the game dating to their formation back in 1861, they participated in the world’s first inter-club fixture against Blackheath RFC in 1864, prior to becoming one of founding clubs to have formed the Rugby Football Union in 1871.

For the record, there were 21 clubs attending that initial meeting on 26th January 1871, at the Pall Mall Restaurant in Regent Street, London.

The clubs attending the meeting were Richmond, Harlequins, Blackheath, Guy's Hospital, Civil Service, Wellington College, King's College and St. Paul's School, all of which are still playing today.

The other, now defunct clubs, or playing under other names, were the Gipsies, Flamingos, Mohicans, Wimbledon Hornets, Marlborough Nomads, West Kent , Law, Lausanne, Addison, Belsize Park, Ravenscourt Park, Chapham Rovers and Queen's House.

One famous name missing from the list of attendees was Wasps, however the story was that somehow they managed to send their representative to the wrong venue at the wrong time on the wrong day. Another version of Wasp’s absence which sounds more believable, was that he went to a pub of the same name and after consuming a number of drinks, was too drunk to make it to the correct address after he realised his mistake.

The meeting was chaired by E.C. Holmes and Algernon Rutter was elected as the first ever President of the RFU, with Edwin H. Ash elected a Treasurer. All were from the Richmond club.

Richmond RFC have been an established National League 1 side for some seasons now and are currently unbeaten, lying in third place in the league table with 14 points. They have seen off Macclesfield RFC (away, 22 – 35), Esher RFC (home, 30 – 25) and seemingly easily accounted for Hartpury College RFC last weekend (away, 17 – 59).

There is no doubting their esteemed history and that, coupled with their experience at this level, will all add to the spice of the fixture, which is eagerly anticipated.

DMPRFC 1ST XV gained their first National League 1 victory last weekend, scoring 4 tries in a bonus point win over Cinderford RFC (32 – 24). The try scorers were Callum MACKENZIE, Ollie HODGSON and Cameron MITCHELL (2), with 3 conversions, a penalty and a drop goal.

The result sees DMPRFC make progress up the table, but there will be no complacency or loss of focus as the league programme gathers pace and the squad selected to travel on Friday will be under no illusions of the task ahead.