The Raeburn and Utrecht Shields

🏉 What an amazing weekend! 🛡️ England made their first defence of the Raeburn Shield after taking it off France—and they held strong against Scotland! A proper battle, and a fitting way to keep the legacy alive. 🎟️ On a personal note, I (David Algie) was lucky enough to be in the stadium thanks to the generosity of a top rugby fan, Toby, who sorted me with a ticket. Rugby people are the best. 📰 And to top it all off, The Times covered the Shield in their Scrum supplement! Seeing it recognised at that level? Unbelievable. 🔜 What happens next? 🇮🇹 Italy get their shot this weekend. If England hold firm, then Wales will get their chance in the final round—an opportunity to become lineal world champions after a horror run. But if Italy pull off the upset, then Ireland will be licking their lips, waiting to pounce. 🌍 And sitting in the wings? The Rugby Championship teams, hoping and praying that England keep hold of it just long enough for Argentina to swoop in this summer. The stakes just keep rising! 🔨 And here’s the exciting bit... Amazingly, another legend has been added to the back of the shield this weekend! A massive 300-pound contribution has earned their place to be permanently engraved, forever immortalized in rugby history. 💪 Every single person who chips in makes a huge difference. It’s not about huge amounts—whether it’s a hoodie, a mug, or even just a small donation—it all helps. I’m ordering the wood this week, and I’m so excited to see how the Shield continues to grow with every contribution. #RaeburnShield #LinealChampionship #RugbyHistory #FanDriven #RaeburnShield #Utrechtshield James William de Mortimer Lewis Wright Martin Hunter

🏆 England claim the Raeburn Shield! 🏉 A hugely exciting win at Twickenham sees England take the Raeburn Shield from France, adding another prize to their collection. But this one’s a little different—because it’s a title that’s always on the move. Like a boxing belt, the Raeburn Shield is passed from team to team—win the match, take the Shield. It started with rugby’s first Test in 1871, and ever since, it’s been defended in every men’s Test match involving the holder. It’s a simple, fan-driven way to track rugby’s champions, outside of rankings and tournaments. And here’s something special: England now hold both of rugby’s lineal world titles! 🏆🏆 With the Red Roses already in possession of the Utrecht Shield—the same concept for women’s rugby, dating back to 1982—England are now the undisputed holders of both titles. Not a bad weekend for English rugby! Next up? Scotland at Twickenham. The Raeburn Shield is on the line again in the Calcutta Cup. Can Scotland take it home for the first time since 2021, or will England keep their reign going? Drop your predictions below! ⬇️

France Dominate Wales to Retain the Raeburn Shield – England Await at Twickenham 🇫🇷🏆 France have once again defended the Raeburn Shield, delivering a commanding 43-0 victory over Wales in the opening round of the 2025 Six Nations. This marks their third successful defence since taking the title from New Zealand in November. Next, they head to Twickenham to face England in Round 2, aiming to extend their reign to four consecutive defences—a milestone they haven’t reached since their best-ever six-match streak, which ended in 1985. With England’s Red Roses already holding the Utrecht Shield, their men’s team will be eager to unite the two lineal world titles on home turf. What Are Rugby’s Lineal World Titles? 🏆🌍 Unlike traditional tournaments, lineal titles such as the Raeburn Shield (Men’s) and the Utrecht Shield (Women’s) work on a simple principle: defeat the holder, and you take the title. This concept mirrors boxing’s championship model and traces an unbroken lineage of rugby’s best teams over time. The Raeburn Shield was inspired by the first-ever international rugby match between Scotland and England in 1871. The Utrecht Shield follows the same format in women’s rugby, named after the first women’s international in 1982. Why Do Lineal Titles Matter? 🤔💡 For fans, lineal titles add an extra layer of excitement to every international Test. It’s no longer just about rankings or tournament standings—every match has something at stake. A Tier 2 nation defeating a powerhouse isn’t just a shock; it could mean claiming rugby’s longest-running title. For players, these titles add motivation and historical significance to every fixture. Winning the Raeburn or Utrecht Shield isn’t just a momentary triumph—it places a team in the sport’s lineage of champions. Twickenham Awaits – Who Takes the Shield? 🏟️🔥 As France prepare for their next defence, England will be determined to claim the Raeburn Shield and unite it with the Utrecht Shield. Right now, many players may not even realise what is at stake—but as the following for these titles grows, we look forward to a future where every player knows the honour of holding them. Will Les Bleus continue their dominance, or can England bring the Raeburn Shield home? The battle is set—who will come out on top? #RaeburnShield #SixNations #ENGvFRA #FranceRugby #EnglandRugby #UtrechtShield #RugbyHistory #Twickenham #LinealChampions

🏉 France Holds Onto the Raeburn Shield! 🇫🇷 What a game last Friday! France dug deep to see off Argentina pretty comfortably 37 -23 in a cracking match at the Stade de France. The Pumas brought the fight, but Les Bleus ultimately looked comfortable and keep the Raeburn Shield in their hands for the remainder of 2024. That’s two in a row now for the French as lineal world champs—bring on the next challenge! So, what’s the Raeburn Shield? 🛡️ It’s rugby’s lineal title—passed on when the Shield-holder gets beaten. It would have been first claimed back in 1871 during rugbys first international. It's all about history, pride, and proving it on the field. Win the game, win the Shield. Simple as that. Next Up: Six Nations 2025! 🏆 The Shield will be on the line when France kick off their Six Nations campaign against Wales. From there, it could go anywhere—imagine it bouncing through Cardiff, Dublin, or Edinburgh! Every game in the tournament could be a title match by round 3 depending on resutls, and it all starts in February. Why It’s Special 🌍 The Raeburn Shield brings a bit of extra magic to every test match. It connects today’s players and fans to the roots of the game and keeps the rugby story alive. Follow along as the Shield’s journey continues—this is what makes rugby great!

🏉 Rugby talks a lot about innovation. The show put on at Stade de France last night for the France vs. New Zealand game was incredible, and put the Tyson v. Paul farce, that every “expert” on LinkedIn wants to talk about as the “future” of broadcast bla bla bla, as a spectacle to shame. One could feel the atmosphere through the screen, the lighting, the theatre, the rendition of La Marseillaise was all time, and the spectacle on the field was as good as any rugby or sports fan could ever wish for…it was also for a relatively unknown but very real trophy🏆, the The Raeburn and Utrecht Shields. Sometimes it doesn’t need to be complicated. 🔨

🏉✨ A Historic Win for Les Bleus!🏆 France has reclaimed the Raeburn Shield, rugby’s lineal world title, with a thrilling 30-29 victory over New Zealand! 🎉 It’s their first time holding the Shield since 2009, and what a journey 2024 has been! 🔄 2024 Raeburn Shield Journey: ➡️ June: South Africa started strong, defeating Wales 🏉 (41-13) at Twickenham defending the shield they had won at the same time a the RWC last year. ➡️ July: The Springboks defended it in Pretoria 🌍 (27-20 vs. Ireland) but lost it in Durban (25-24) as Ireland claimed the Shield. ➡️ November: New Zealand stunned Ireland in Dublin 🖤 (23-13), taking the Shield to Paris, where France seized their moment 🔥 (30-29). ⏳ The Next Chapter: The final Raeburn Shield match of 2024 will be France vs. Argentina. If France wins: The Shield enters the Six Nations, sparking huge excitement in Europe! 🌍 If Argentina wins: The Shield embarks on a Southern Hemisphere journey into 2025. 🌞 The Shield’s unique journey showcases rugby’s rich history, connecting every match to a legacy that dates back to 1871. 🏆 Who will take the Raeburn Shield into 2025? Let the drama continue! 🎭 *************************** 🏉 Vive la France! 🇫🇷🏆 Quelle soirée pour le rugby ! La France a récupéré le Raeburn Shield, battant la Nouvelle-Zélande dans un match palpitant. C’est la première fois depuis 2009 que les Bleus détiennent ce titre prestigieux, après 15 ans d’attente. Pour ceux qui ne connaissent pas, le Raeburn Shield est le titre mondial linéaire du rugby. Il fonctionne comme une ceinture de boxe : il est transmis de match en match, et chaque test-match est une défense de titre. Hier soir, les Bleus ont relevé le défi avec brio ! Aux All Blacks—bravo pour une bataille exceptionnelle. C’est grâce à des matchs comme celui-ci que le Shield a tant de valeur. Alors que le Shield commence son aventure en France, nous célébrons les deux équipes et l’incroyable héritage du rugby. Les Bleus pourront-ils le défendre longtemps ? Allez les Bleus !

Can the All Blacks hold onto the Raeburn Shield? Or will France take it for the north and try to keep it for the Six Nations in 2025? The Shield’s up for grabs again, and it’s all on the line at Stade de France this week. Historically, the All Blacks have the edge in Raeburn Shield clashes against France, winning 14 of their 19 Shield encounters. Across those match-ups, New Zealand has racked up 389 points to France’s 229. But here’s the twist—France has claimed victory four times, proving they’ve got what it takes to take the Shield north. In fact, the last time France held the Raeburn Shield was back in 2009, when they stunned New Zealand in Dunedin. Now, 15 years later, they’re looking to make history again and bring the Shield back to French soil. Who’s got the edge? The All Blacks have Beauden Barrett back at 10, with Codie Taylor starting at hooker, adding depth and experience. France, however, is ready to unleash some flair, with Romain Buros making his debut at fullback. Will the All Blacks’ strong historical edge and experience see them through, or will the passionate home crowd push France to reclaim the Shield for the first time since 2009? Why does this matter? The Raeburn Shield isn’t just a trophy—it’s rugby’s lineage, passed down from game to game since 1871. There’s no ranking or committee behind it—just the result on the field. Every match is a chance to add to a tradition that stretches back over 150 years, creating another chapter in rugby’s story. So, can the All Blacks keep it in the Southern Hemisphere? Or will France reclaim the Shield, setting up a Six Nations for the ages? Either way, it’s going to be a classic. Follow the Raeburn Shield and be part of rugby history.

All Blacks Claim the Raeburn Shield – Next Up, France! After their win over Ireland, the All Blacks now hold the Raeburn Shield! Next, they’ll defend it against France in a game that carries even more weight thanks to this unique title—and it’s one that’s capturing the hearts of fans around the world. Although the Raeburn Shield isn’t an “official” trophy, it’s very real to the thousands of fans who engage with it every week. Here’s why it’s making such an impact on fans and players alike: 🔗 Lineal World Title: The Raeburn Shield passes only by defeat, which means every holder has to defend it every match—giving each game an extra edge and meaning. 📜 A Story That Spans Generations: The Shield weaves a lineal legacy through rugby, connecting each match, nation, and team that holds it. For players, defending the Shield is an honour, knowing they’re adding to a history that’s passed from game to game. 🏆 Fan-Driven Excitement: Thousands of fans have been talking, sharing, and celebrating the Shield all weekend, showing that this lineal title resonates deeply with the rugby community. Every game becomes a “must-watch,” knowing the title could move on to a new team. 🌍 A Prize for All Nations: The Raeburn Shield is open to any team who can win it, adding excitement as every nation has a chance to compete for the title. You never know when that next opportunity will come, so each match carries a “take your shot” thrill that makes the competition even more meaningful. With New Zealand as the current holders, France is their first big test. Can the All Blacks keep the Shield in New Zealand, or will it make its way to France? This journey is one to follow! #RaeburnShield #AllBlacks #FranceRugby #rugby #rugbyunion David Algie David Robertson James William de Mortimer Craig Fenton Leanne Bats ᵍᵐ Lewis Wright Nick Riggall 🏉🤖Matt Hymers RugbyDAO

🏆 Why the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields are a Must-Share Story This Week 🏆 For journalists and content creators looking for a fresh story to cover this week, let me tell you why the Raeburn Shield and Utrecht Shield are grabbing millions of views across social channels this year—and why they’re worth your attention. The Raeburn Shield, rugby’s “Lineal World Title,” isn’t just another trophy. It’s earned on the pitch, passed from one winning team to the next in a pure, winner-takes-all format. Every match it is in is meaningful, steeped in rugby’s roots with links back to the birth of the game, and fan-driven in the best way possible. It’s a legacy being crafted by today’s players but linked back to those who came before with the shields handed over whenever the holder is defeated since 1871 in the men's game. (Of course since I created it and wasn't alive then they may not have known 😉 ) Why does that matter this week? Because Irish Rugby are the current Raeburn Shield holders and their match this weekend against the All Blacks doubles as a lineal world title challenge meaning the winner takes it away with them. Ireland took the shield off South Africa in their last match and will be looking to go more than the one match but... coming off the back of a win at the home of English rugby the All Blacks will be keen to take the crown.... Meanwhile, the Utrecht Shield is making waves in the women’s game, carried by athletes like Emily Scarratt and Canada’s stars Krissy Scurfield, Sara Svoboda, and Fancy Bermudez. This shield isn’t just about tradition; it’s about bringing attention to the power and talent within women’s rugby, connecting current players with fans eager to celebrate their impact on the game. I’m the hustle behind these Shields, and if you want the inside story, I’m always up for a chat. This year alone, the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields have racked up millions of views on social media—and there’s no sign of that slowing down. These Shields have become a movement, one that connects fans directly to the players and brings a community feel back into rugby coverage. If you’re looking to tell stories that blend heritage, hustle, and the magic of the game, the Raeburn and Utrecht Shields are exactly that. DM me if you’d like to learn more about these Shields and the journey we’re on—this is a story your readers or viewers will love. #RaeburnShield #UtrechtShield #RugbyHeritage #FanDriven #rugby #rugbyunion James William de Mortimer Adam Ryan Paul Johns Simon McMaster Lewis Wright Leanne Bats ᵍᵐ

The English #RedRoses claimed the Utrecht Shield off of Canada over the weekend. Congratulations to women's rugby's new lineal world champs who will now keep the shield until defeated which based on current form might be a while! The next defence will be their first six nations match against Italy. It is also worth taking the time to celebrate Canadian women's rugby who have been immense this year and really took it to England over the weekend. They won the Utrecht Shield for the first time in their history and then managed 3 defences to get to 4 in this run 🙌