• Ask Steven Rugby

One of Scotland's early heroes

John GriffithsApril 11, 2014
England face Scotland at the Oval four years before Villar made his debut © Getty Images
Enlarge

Do you have any biographical details about a C Villar who played for Scotland in the early days of international rugby? Colin McM, England

Charles Villar, who played for Scotland in 1876 and 1877, was born at Leckhampton Park Farm in the Cheltenham area in early 1852. His father James Villar was a local auctioneer and land agent.

Charles was educated at Cheltenham Grammar School before going to Scotland where he served with the 1st Midlothian Rifle Volunteer Corps (Lieut) in the mid-1870s and regularly turned out for the Edinburgh Wanderers club. He played for Edinburgh as a forward in the 1874 Cities match and gained the first of his three Scotland caps in the 1876 match against England at The Oval, which was the last international to be played between teams numbering 20-aside.

He played in both of Scotland's 15-aside matches of 1877, but died later the same year on 21st September at New Court, Charlton Kings, Gloucestershire, aged 25.

John Griffiths is a widely respected rugby historian and is the author of several sports books, a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and co-author of the IRB International Rugby Yearbook. He has provided insight for Scrum.com since 1999.

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd

Writer Bio

John Griffiths is a widely respected rugby historian and is the author of several sports books, a regular contributor to the Daily Telegraph and co-author of the IRB International Rugby Yearbook. He has provided insight for Scrum.com since 1999.

Ask Your Question

Ask Steven on Facebook » #asksteven

RECENT POSTS

Ask Steven Home