The British middle-and upper-classes prefer rugby union. Association football is the game of the common man.
But both games originated in those centres of wealth and privilege, the British public schools-private schools which charge high fees.
It is said that rugby began at Rugby school in 1823, when a boy called William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it.
But this is probably a myth.
At that time there were many kinds of 'football'. All of them were extremely rough. Games could involve as many as three hundred people and last for up to five days.
Gradually these 'games' were refined.
Two versions emerged. Rugby continued to allow handling and physical contact. Football did not.
It is interesting that the classes that regard themselves as more civilized prefer the more primitive game.
