Siam Cup

The Siam Cup is an annual rugby union competition contested between representative teams from Jersey and Guernsey, two of the Channel Islands. It is the oldest inter-island rugby competition in the world, dating back to 1895.

The competition traditionally involves three matches: the Siam Cup (the main event), the Nash Cup (contested between the second XV teams), and the Fallaize Cup (for veteran players). All three matches are typically played on the same day, creating a festival atmosphere.

The location of the Siam Cup alternates each year, being held one year in Jersey and the next in Guernsey. The rivalry is intense, and the matches are fiercely contested, drawing large crowds from both islands. The Siam Cup is considered a significant sporting and cultural event in the Channel Islands.

The trophy itself is a large silver cup, donated by King Chulalongkorn of Siam (now Thailand) in 1905 after his son, Prince Prajadhipok, who was studying at Eton College, witnessed a match between the islands. While the competition had been running for a decade prior, the royal donation cemented the Siam Cup's prestige and secured its long-term future.

The Siam Cup represents more than just a rugby match; it's a celebration of island identity, community spirit, and a shared history of sporting rivalry.