21 July 2026
Find out the latest on the exciting project celebrating our history!
SITE NOTICES: NONE
SITE NOTICES: NONE
Please find our email and telephone number below. If you are looking for someone in particular please view all contacts.
View the latest events, meetings, festivals and games on our calendar
The county that we know today as Cumbria, was originally made up of two separate counties known as Cumberland and Westmorland as well as part of Lancashire called Furness. The game of rugby union was first recorded as being played in Carlisle, Cumberland, in 1870, while Westmorland followed a year later in 1871 with a game in Kendal, and club sides sprung up in the region from this point on. Cumberland was first of the two to form a (unofficial) county representative team and, with assistance from Lancashire, they played annual matches against a combined Durham and Northumberland side during the 1870’s. Although the actual date that a rugby union in either Cumberland or Westmorland was formed is unclear, a centenary brochure was produced by these unions during the 1972/73 season, hinting at formation around 1872.
An official Cumberland county side was formed in 1882, facing Northumberland in November that same year, in what was the counties first official game. On the heels of this match the Cumberland clubs bought a Challenge Cup trophy, paid from the gate money, heralding the dawn of what would later become the Cumbria Cup, which still runs today.
Four years later in 1886, Westmorland would also form their own side, and in 1890 both would take part in the inaugural County Championships, competing in the north-west group where they would face each other along with Cheshire and Lancashire. Cumberland saw early success in the competition and reached the final in 1897.
By 1896, Westmorland had withdrawn from the competition and remained apart from the County Championship until the 1906 season, when they merged with their neighbors to form Cumberland & Westmorland, taking part in the northern group. Over the next couple of decades, Cumberland & Westmorland would reach several finals and go on to win the County Championship for the first time in 1924.
In 1974 the counties known as Cumberland and Westmorland were merged along with Furness to form Cumbria, and in 1997 after a gap of over 70 years the new look Cumbria won the County Championship, beating Somerset at Twickenham Stadium, which they repeated again in 2019 by beating Dorset & Wiltshire again at Twickenham Stadium.
Today Cumbria RFU, proud of its history, aims to grow, retain and support a vibrant, inclusive and safe rugby community within Cumbria via effective and efficient management. Cumbria RFU aims to support member clubs and to help deliver activity that meets their needs and those of their members and the wider game.
The five core values of England Rugby, Teamwork, Respect, Enjoyment, Discipline and Sportsmanship are administered, promoted and supported at all levels across the county.
Please find some useful links and downloads below:
