The 1878–79 Home Nations rugby union matches are a series of international friendlies held between the England, Ireland and Scotland national rugby union teams. The only recognised competition held between the countries was the inaugural Calcutta Cup match, contested between England and Scotland. It was the first challenge for the Cup, and ended in an unspectacular draw.
Results
Scoring system
The matches for this season were decided on goals scored. A goal was awarded for a successful conversion after a try, for a dropped goal or for a goal from mark. If a game was drawn, any unconverted tries were tallied to give a winner. If there was still no clear winner, the match was declared a draw.
The matches
Ireland vs. Scotland
| 17 February 1879 |
 Ireland | nil – 1G, 1DG, 1T |  Scotland |
| Try: Brown Somerville Con: Cross Drop: Cross |
| Ormeau, Belfast Referee: J Chiene (Scotland) |
Ireland: RB Walkington, T Harrison, JC Bagot, RN Matier, AM Whitestone, WJ Goulding, WEA Cummins, AM Archer, HC Kelly, W Finaly, JA McDonald, JW Taylor, WC Neville capt., G Scriven, H Purdon
Scotland: Bill Maclagan, Malcolm Cross, Ninian Finlay, WH Masters, James Campbell, Robert Ainslie, DR Irvine, JB Brown, D. Somerville, RW Irvine capt., AG Petrie, JHS Graham, Henry Melville Napier, NT Brewis, ER Smith
Scotland vs. England
| 10 March 1879 |
| Scotland | 1DG–1G |  England |
| Drop: Finlay | Try: Burton Con: Stokes |
| Raeburn Place, Edinburgh Attendance: 10,000 Referee: GR Fleming (Scotland) |
Scotland: Bill Maclagan, Malcolm Cross, Ninian Finlay, John Alexander Neilson, James Campbell, Robert Ainslie, Duncan Irvine, JB Brown, EN Ewart, RW Irvine capt., AG Petrie, JHS Graham, Henry Melville Napier, NT Brewis, JE Junor
England: WJ Penny, H Huth (Huddersfield), L Stokes, WAD Evanson, HH Taylor, HH Springman, S Neame, Frank Reginald Adams capt., FD Fowler, A Budd, G Harrison (Hull), George Burton, HC Rowley, Roger Walker, NF McLeod
England vs. Ireland
| 24 March 1879 |
| England | 2G 2T 1DG–nil | Ireland |
| Try: Adams Evanson Rowley Twynam Con: Stokes (2) Drop: Stokes |
| The Oval, London Referee: A. G. Guillemard (England) |
England: WJ Penny, WAD Evanson, L Stokes, HT Twynam, WE Openshaw, Harold Dingwall Bateson, S Neame, Frank Reginald Adams capt:, JM Biggs, A Budd, G Harrison (Hull), GW Burton, HC Rowley, Edward Temple Gurdon, NF McLeod
Ireland: WW Pike, WJ Willis, JC Bagot, J Heron, AM Whistestone, BN Casement, JR Bristow, F Schute, HW Murray, W Finaly, JJ Keon, JL Cuppaidge, WC Neville capt., G Scriven, H Purdon
Bibliography
- Griffiths, John (1987). The Phoenix Book of International Rugby Records. London: Phoenix House. ISBN 0-460-07003-7.