Calcutta Cup – full of history

THE CALCUTTA Cup is of Indian workmanship, approximately 45 cm high, the body finely engraved with three king cobras forming the handles.

The domed lid is surmounted by an elephant which is said to be copied from the Viceroy’s own stock. The inscription on the cup’s wooden base reads simply: “THE CALCUTTA CUP”.

The base has attached to it additional plates which record the date of each match played with the name of the winning country and the names of the two captains.

There is an anomaly in the recording of the winning country on the base of the cup. It was first played for in 1879, but the plinth shows records extending back to the first international in 1871.

The original trophy is in a fragile state following many years of poor treatment and is not strong enough to be taken to functions or on tours.

When won by England, the original Calcutta Cup is put on display in the Museum of Rugby in Twickenham, where it slowly rotates in a purpose-built showcase.

Both England and India have full-size replicas of the cup. While the original was handmade by Indian craftsmen, the replicas were made using modern technology.

In 1988 the cup was damaged by drunken players, including England number eight Dean Richards and Scotland flanker John Jeffrey, who played football with the Calcutta Cup along Princess Street in Edinburgh.

Jeffrey received a six-month ban from the Scottish Rugby Union, and Richards was given a one-match suspension.