Editing Cardiff Rugby (section)

=== Hancock and the four three quarter system ===

In 1885 under [[Frank Hancock]], Cardiff began playing with seven backs and eight forwards and perfected what was known at the time as "the passing game".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.world.rugby/halloffame/inductees/44 | title=Frank Hancock - World Rugby - Hall of Fame }}</ref> Up until this time, rugby had been played with 9 forwards and 6 backs, with play focused on forward exchanges. Hancock's methods for the first time utilised the full width of the pitch and clever timing of passes to make use of overlaps. He banned his players from kicking penalties and drop goals. For the whole of the 1885–86 season, Cardiff would only score through tries and conversions. They won all but one game all season. Crowds flocked to the Arms Park and the Cardiff style of play helped make rugby football hugely popular throughout the city and surrounding areas. Giving the club a huge well of talent on which to draw from.

These innovations eventually spread throughout the rugby world and in 2011 earned the club a place in the [[World Rugby Hall of Fame]],<ref>{{cite press release|url=http://www.irb.com/history/halloffame/newsid=2042507.html#hancock+cardiff+inducted+hall+fame |title=Hancock and Cardiff inducted to Hall of Fame |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=6 May 2011 |access-date=7 May 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110509234411/http://www.irb.com/history/halloffame/newsid%3D2042507.html |archive-date=9 May 2011 }}</ref> one of only three clubs to have this honour. Several former Cardiff players including [[Gwyn Nicholls]], [[Bleddyn Williams]], [[Cliff Morgan]], [[Gareth Edwards (rugby union)|Gareth Edwards]], [[Barry John]] and [[Gerald Davies]] are also members of the Hall of Fame.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.world.rugby/halloffame |title=World Rugby - Hall of Fame |access-date=8 June 2022 |archive-date=1 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220601063544/https://www.world.rugby/halloffame |url-status=dead }}</ref>