Tales from Twickenham Stadium: Bath 44-19 Wigan, 25th May 1996
The onset of professionalism in rugby union during the mid-1990s reignited the rivalry between the codes that emerged with the Great Schism a century before.
Less than a year on from rugby union being declared an “open game”, Twickenham Stadium played host to a rugby league side for the very first time, not once but twice.
First played in 1926, the Middlesex Sevens was a rugby sevens tournament held at Twickenham Stadium, featuring the best club sides annually before its demise in 2011.
Keen to make a statement following six years of dominance in English rugby league, Wigan not only entered a side in the Middlesex Sevens of May 1996 – they won.
Beating 1993 champions Wasps in the final, it was proof that, in a variation that has limited emphasis on set-piece, the long-term professionalism of Wigan was yet unmatched.
Packed with star power such as Jason Robinson, Martin Offiah, Andy Farrell, and Shaun Edwards, each starting player from Wigan’s final would go on to play professional rugby union.
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Clash of the Codes
Wigan would return to Twickenham Stadium just two weeks later to face that year’s English Premiership champions, Bath.
Dubbed the Clash of the Codes, Wigan and Bath played two rugby matches, one in either code, with scores combined to determine the ultimate rugby force in England.
With little time to prepare themselves to play rugby league following their Pilkington Cup win over Leicester five days prior, Bath were vastly underprepared for their trip to Manchester City’s Maine Road.
Winger Martin Offiah scored six tries for Wigan on their way to Bath’s humiliating 82-6 loss in the first leg.
The sides returned to Twickenham Stadium two-and-a-half weeks later to play rugby union – this time Bath getting the spoils with a solid 44-19 win.
Despite a win each, Wigan were declared overall winners with an aggregate score of 101-50.
Other events at Twickenham Stadium
Recognised as the world’s largest rugby-dedicated stadium, Twickenham has since gone on to host several non-rugby union events.
Hosting the opener of the 2000 Rugby League World Cup, attracting 33,000 fans for England’s 22-2 loss to Australia, the match proved controversial with rugby league yet to return to the stadium.
Two decades after the Clash of the Codes, another footballing code was invited to Twickenham Stadium, hosting three NFL matches between 2016 and 2017.
While the matches proved a success with sell-out crowds, the opening of the new Tottenham Hotspur Stadium in 2019 saw the NFL move their International Series away from South West London.
Beyond sport, Twickenham Stadium has hosted several concerts, as the United Kingdom’s second largest stadium, it has been used as an alternative venue to Wembley Stadium.
First hosting the Rolling Stones in 2003, the gig served as somewhat of a homecoming for the band, having spent a five-month residency at the Eel Pie Island Hotel in Twickenham during their early years.
Since this, world famous acts Bon Jovi, Iron Maiden, Beyoncé, and Eminem are among those who have performed at the rugby stadium.
