History of rugby union a successful kick at goal after scoring a try (a conversion) and three points for a dropped goal or for a penalty goal. Most of the changes have been to increase the value of tries compared to goals (conversions, penalties, dropped-goals, and goals from mark) in order to promote positive, attacking play. The first national rugby union was the Rugby Football Union, founded in England in 1871. This was followed over the next decade by the home nations of Scottish Football Union (1873, later SRU), Irish Rugby Football Union (1879) and Welsh Rugby Union (1881). The French Federation (1919) and
Paul Dean (rugby union) Paul Dean (rugby union) Paul Michael Dean (born 28 June 1960) is a former Irish international rugby union player. He toured Australia in 1989 with the British and Irish Lions and at the time played club rugby for St. Mary's College RFC. Paul Dean was educated at St Mary's College, Rathmines. He won five schools international caps in 1977 and 1978 followed by a 'B' cap against England in 1980. He was out-half on Mick Doyle's Triple Crown-winning squad of 1985. He scored four tries and a drop goal in his 32 international caps over an eight-year period. His final