'Second oldest' England rugby jersey in existence set to hit the market with £10k price tag

A 148-year-old England rugby jersey believed to be the second oldest in existence is heading to auction and is expected to sell for at least £10,000.

The kit is thought to have been worn by Bury -born forward Roger Walker during the world's fourth-ever international rugby match played 20-a-side between England and Scotland at The Oval in London on February 23, 1874. The game ended with England taking the win with a 4-3 as a result of a single drop goal.

The shirt - which comes with England's famous red rose badge embroidered onto the chest - has been in possession of Manchester Rugby Club since it formed in 1860. Originally founded as Manchester Football Club, it became one of the first rugby union clubs in the world.

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The jersey is now being sold off in order to raise vital funds for the club. The shirt will go for auction on Wednesday (April 27) via Mullock's Auctioneers, in Church Stretton Shropshire.

Despite having a few marks and tiny holes, experts say the shirt is in very good condition for its age and is a piece of "stunning, extremely early rugby memorabilia". Phil Atkinson, a rugby specialist at the auctioneers, said: "It is extremely rare to have a jersey like this in the intense world of rugby memorabilia.

"The only known older surviving England jersey, from the first ever international game in 1871, is in Twickenham's World Rugby Museum. So this is a fantastic and possibly unique opportunity to own a piece of stunning rugby memorabilia

"At first, we thought the jersey was from the first international rugby game but when we compared it we realised it was from