The World Rugby Museum in Twickenham has achieved national recognition for the quality and importance of its collection.

The exhibition has been granted 'Designated status' by Arts Council England for its collection having 'outstanding national and international importance'.

Located within Allianz Stadium, The World Rugby Museum collection dates back to the founding of the game in 1871, when rugby football was one of a number of competing football codes and the first to arrange competitive international competition.

Highlights of the museum include an England jersey worn in the very first international match between England and Scotland which, by virtue of its uniqueness, is the oldest international football jersey of any code in the world.

Likewise, the Calcutta Cup, is the oldest international football trophy of any code in the world.

RFU (Rugby Football Union) said the "timeless" national assets reflect rugby football's role in creating and developing modern international sporting infrastructure in Victorian Britain.

In 2008, the museum became the World Rugby Museum to reflect the development of the collection, which now included material from rugby playing nations around the world, including a 1905 New Zealand jersey, iconic 1906 South Africa Blazer and 1911 France jersey.

Since then, the museum has been fortunate enough to receive donations from iconic former players from all over the world, including JPR Williams, Mike Gibson, Sarah Hunter and Libby Andrew.

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Collections Officer and Project Lead at World Rugby Museum, Niamh Field, said: "We use jerseys and caps to share the stories of those who wore them and the historical moments they lived through, such as the rise and decline of the British Empire, the impact of two world wars, and the industrialisation of Britain.

"Our archive can be used to map changing attitudes to class and gender, and to explore relationships between regions and between countries."

World Rugby Museum Curator, Phil McGowan, added: "This accolade demonstrates that the World Rugby Museum's collection is a cultural asset of global significance and something that the entire global rugby community can be proud of."

Chief Executive, Arts Council England, Darren Henley, said: "Housed in the home of English Rugby, The World Rugby Museum tells stories from both on and off the field, with the collection exploring everything from rugby's relationship with identity, to class, gender and social change. Congratulations to all involved in this wonderful collection for their Designation award."

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