History of rugby union in the United States

The first recorded match between two colleges in game played in United States using rugby union code rules occurred on May 14, 1874 between Harvard University and McGill University. Predating rugby using the rugby union rules were rugby union style "carrying games" with use of hands permitted (as opposed to "kicking games" where hands were not permitted) including a game between Harvard College Freshmen and Sophomores at a game played at Harvard campus in 1858.

Source: Wikipedia — History of rugby union in the United States (CC BY-SA 4.0)