Guinness World Records for longest rugby matches broken

Rugby’s mental health charity LooseHeadz and children’s charity Wooden Spoon have broken the Guinness World Records for the longest rugby matches for both men’s and women’s rugby.

Hosted at Mullingar Rugby Club’s Shay Murtagh Park, the Guinness World Record attempt saw men’s and women’s matches with 15 players and eight roll-on, roll-off substitutes per team run through the night. Rules stipulated play must be continuous, in accordance with official rugby union rules.

All participants were dressed in traditional rugby union attire, with referees rotating for a maximum of four hours at a time.

Starting at 8am on Wednesday, 18 June, players from across the UK and Ireland took part.

The men’s record of 30 hours, 29 minutes and 41 seconds was passed on Thursday afternoon, with the match continuing until shortly after 8pm.

The women’s record was also beaten. Previously 24 hours, 5 minutes and 15 seconds, it was extended to 26 hours and 33 minutes.

Participants included England Red Roses’ Tamara Taylor, with support on the sidelines from former internationals such as Tommy Bowe, Gavin Hastings, Ieuan Evans and British & Irish Lions CEO Ben Calveley. Over £110,000 was raised to support mental health initiatives in rugby communities.

The record attempt was held in partnership with Wooden Spoon, a fellow Lions charity partner that supports disadvantaged and disabled children through rugby.

The charity will formally launch its new awareness initiative, ‘Hugby’, at Friday night’s international fixture between The Lions and Argentina at Aviva Stadium. Immediately after the Argentine national anthem, players and fans will be encouraged to hug, drawing attention to mental health in rugby.

“Congratulations to LooseHeadz and Wooden Spoon for a phenomenal achievement,” said Gavin Hastings, former Scotland and Lions full-back. “I have huge respect and admiration for all the men and women who took part in this world record-breaking feat in Mullingar over the past two days.

“As rugby’s mental health charity, LooseHeadz is tackling the stigma of mental health and the money raised from this challenge will go towards ensuring every rugby club has a dedicated mental health lead.

“It is amazing moment to celebrate, and we can now come together as a rugby community once again tonight, to launch the ‘Hugby’ campaign at Aviva Stadium.”

Players from the record-breaking matches will also parade the pitch at half-time during the match.

One of the men behind the campaign said he overjoyed to breal the record.

“We’re buzzing to have broken two Guinness World Records for the longest games of rugby – and it’s all thanks to the grit, determination, and togetherness of every men’s and women’s player, the volunteers, the organisers, the physios, and those at Mullingar Rugby Club,” said co-founder of LooseHeadzm, Rob Shotton. “What began on Tuesday evening with a group of strangers quickly became something much bigger. We leave not just as team-mates, but as mates for life. That’s the power of rugby.

“As rugby’s mental health charity, we hope setting this record helps shine a light on an important message – tackling the stigma around mental health in our sport.

“And we’re not stopping here. The conversation continues with our ‘Hugby’ campaign, kicking off just before The British & Irish Lions take on Argentina at the Aviva Stadium this evening.

“We started the charity eight years ago while watching The Lions on TV in our local rugby club, and now we are activating on the biggest stage in world rugby alongside The Lions.”