Say goodbye to the old Lansdowne Road.1939-1945 - WW2 see more about Rugby at war.
Although Rugby union players could not normally take part in a Rugby league game without being kicked out of the union and receiving a life ban and likewise any rugby league player could not play union, during the war the military were exempt and players could switch codes with impunity.
During WWII Twickenham was used as a Civil Defence Depot, the East Car Park was dug up for allotments, and the West Car Park was a coal dump.
1940 - The RFU appointed medical student Tommy Kemp as England's first war-time captain. Kemp, who played his first international in 1937, finished in 1948, one of a handful to have played either side of the war. He also captained England in his fifth and final official appearance.
1943 -
January 23rd.
A game took place at Headingly on January 23rd, 1943, under Union laws, between Northern Command Rugby League XV and Northern Command Rugby Union XV. A crowd of 8,000 saw the league team win 18-11.
1944 -
April 24th. Rugby League Combined services played Rugby Union Combined services, under Union laws, at Odsal (Bradford) with the league side winning 15 - 10. Bob Weighill who later became secretary of the RFU played.
1945 - Cambridge beat Oxford beat 16-4 at Grange Road, Cambridge in the last war-time Varsity match.
1948 - Dropped goal reduced from 4 points to 3 points.
1949 - The Australian rugby union is founded, taking control over from the New South Wales Rugby Union.
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