While the Northern Union (English Rugby Football League) had more clubs under its banner by the early 1900s than the Rugby Football Union, one feature the NU lacked was international matches.

For the most part though, it didn't seem to bother anyone. Players, officials and supporters alike were content with the local parochialism of town and county rivalry. The absence of an England team representative of the NU mattered to few.

However the increasing number of players from Wales, and to a lesser extent Scotland, must have suggested to some officials of the NU that a team of 'Other Nationalities' (O.N.) could be formed to oppose an 'England' team.

At the start of the 1903/04 season the NU decided to begin scheduling an annual New Year's Day fixture between teams styled as 'England' and 'Other Nationalities'.

Rugby League's first ever International was set down for January 1, 1904, at Oldham. The players of both sides would be awarded 'caps' in the tradition of all representative fixtures.

It was a season of experiments for the NU. Another change introduced was that all representative fixtures, including the 'Other Nationalities' match, were to be 12-a-side teams.

A number of member clubs in the early 1900s were pushing for reduced player numbers on the field. The thought was that while such a trial could not be risked in club matches, County matches would quickly demonstrate the potential of three players less in each team.

When the New Year arrived it brought a frost to the Oldham ground. It was so severe that the match had to be cancelled. Transferred to Central Park at Wigan, it was re-scheduled for 5 April, 1904.

It was hardly a spectacular entrance for international Rugby League.

The match was played on a Tuesday afternoon and, after heavy rain, the ground was in a poor condition. Unavoidably a cup-tie between Broughton Rangers and Bradford also ended up being played on the same day, necessitating numerous last minute changes to the international team line-ups and drawing away much interest.

While Central Park had just notched up a record gate from 29,000 spectators for Wigan's two Easter weekend matches, only 6,000 were on hand to see England's first ever appearance.

The 'Other Nationalities' team was comprised entirely of Welsh players, apart from forwards Jim Moffatt and George Frater who were from Scotland. Frater was chosen as captain.

Star centre for the home team, Jim Lomas of Salford, didn't even arrive until after the kick-off had been taken. England started with just 11 players!

England: W.B. Little (Halifax), full back; F. Spottiswoode (Oldham), G. Dickenson (Warrington), J. Lomas (Salford), J. Fish (Warrington), threequarters; J. Baxter (Rochdale Hornets), J. Morely (Halifax), half backs; A. Starks [c] (Hull K.R.), P. Tunney (Salford), J. Riley (Halifax), J.W. Bulmer (Halifax), J. Ferguson (Oldham), forwards.

Other Nationalities: D. Smith (Salford), full back; D. Thomas (Salford), T.D. Llewellyn (Leeds), D. Harris (Wigan), D.J. Lewis (Oldham), threequarters; E. Davies (Wigan), P.J. Brady (Huddersfield), half backs; J. Rhapps (Salford), J.G. Moffatt (Leeds), G. Frater [c] (Oldham), D. Thomas (Oldham), H. Buckler (Salford), forwards.

Soon after the game began the O.N. side had a chance for an early penalty goal, but half back Davies missed the kick. England's threequarter Jackie Fish made a few 'brilliant sweeps', the second of which resulted in a try to him. Fish also took the conversion, which just went wide of the posts leaving England with a 3-0 lead.

O.N. soon went on the attack into England's quarter with a 'brilliant passing display' in which their backs Harris and Llewellyn were prominent. After a scrum win by O.N., their forward Thomas crashed through to level the scores.

Brady and Davies made further breaks for O.N. but they couldn't turn the opportunities into points. It was 3-3 at half-time.

England commenced the second half in good form, with Fish again 'making two beautiful runs'. However O.N.'s Harris was instrumental in taking play back into the England half where a good interchange of passing saw Thomas (of Salford) dive over for a try in the corner to give O.N. a 6-3 lead.

The O.N. side dominated the remainder of the match showing 'excellent form and passed very well'. A 'daring rush' from England was stopped by Davies to entirely frustrate the home side. O.N.'s threequarters Llewellyn and Harris again combined which resulted in the latter scoring the final try of the match.

While the O.N. backs had been to the fore throughout the game, it was reported that 'their forwards were also superior'. With no goals kicked, the Other Nationalities side defeated England by 9 points to 3.

The concept only lasted a further two seasons and was played with 15-a-side teams.

In the 1905 encounter at Bradford Park Avenue, England gained some revenge by winning easily 26-11 (after being down 11-0 at the interval). The final match was again taken to Central Park and resulted in a 3-3 draw.

It was perhaps an inauspicious start for international Rugby League, nevertheless it is an important milestone in the game's history and worth remembering a century on.

Thanks to Michael Borg for suggesting the idea for this article
Also thanks to the Wigan Heritage Service, Wigan