Raeburn Shield

The Raeburn Shield is a rugby union trophy based on a "Title Holder" concept - similar to a boxing world title or New Zealand’s Ranfurly Shield. Named after Raeburn Place, the site of the first-ever international rugby match between England and Scotland on 27 March 1871, the Shield adds a dynamic layer of competition to international rugby. A women's version of the trophy, the Utrecht Shield, follows the same format.

Advantages

The Raeburn Shield offers several unique advantages:

Opportunities for Underdogs: Since the title is contested in every match the holder plays, lower-ranked nations have a real chance to claim it. For instance, Romania once held the Shield despite never reaching the Rugby World Cup knockout stages.
Increased Match Intensity: Every title match carries extra weight. The defending team has something to protect, while challengers are highly motivated. This dynamic can elevate the intensity of otherwise routine fixtures. Consider how Munster still celebrates their 1978 victory over the All Blacks—despite later European successes.
Frequent Title Changes: Unlike the Rugby World Cup, which occurs every four years, the Raeburn Shield can change hands multiple times a year. During the 1999 World Cup alone, the title passed through six teams: Wales, Samoa, Scotland, New Zealand, France, and Australia. In the following year, it changed hands several more times, showcasing its fast-paced nature.

Most shield defences

	Team
1		155	41	17
2		87	33	11
3		62	28	9
4		50	23	16
5		46	30	7
6		27	16	8
7		24	17	7
8		16	18	4
9		0	2	0
10		0	2	0
11		0	1	0
12		0	1	0

	Team		Score		Score	Tenure
17		20 June 1987	9–29	18 August 1990	9–21	1155d
16		9 July 2022	12–23	14 October 2023	24–28	462d
14		19 September 2009	6–33	30 October 2010	24–26	406d
14		16 October 2011	6–20	1 December 2012	21–38	412d
13		27 August 2005	12–30	2 September 2006	20–21	371d
11		4 September 1937	6–13	5 September 1953	14–18	5845d
11		2 November 2013	6–54	4 October 2014	25–27	336d
10		31 October 2015	17–34	5 November 2016	29–40	371d
9		3 March 1883	1T–2T	5 February 1887	0G–2G	1435d
9		27 August 1960	3–8	10 August 1963	5–9	1078d
9		25 May 1995	18–27	13 July 1996	16–21	415d
9		9 July 1997	32–35	11 July 1998	16–24	357d
9		18 November 2000	19–22	20 October 2001	14–20	336d
9		6 September 2003	14–45	6 March 2004	13–19	182d