Roger Walker rugby union

Roger Walker (18 September 1846 – 11 November 1919) was a rugby union forward who played club rugby for Manchester Rugby Club and represented England internationally. His rugby career began during the sport's early days, earning his first cap in 1874 against Scotland in only the fourth international match. The following year, he played in Ireland's inaugural international game, which England won. Walker continued to represent England in matches against Scotland in 1876, 1879, and 1880, achieving a record of four wins, one draw, and no losses.

After retiring as a player, Walker remained involved in rugby by becoming President of the Rugby Football Union. In 1896, he accompanied the British Isles team on their tour of South Africa as team manager, where they won three out of four Test matches against South Africa. He also contributed to the founding of Reading R.F.C. in 1898.

Walker was also a cricketer, playing first-class matches for Lancashire in 1874 and 1875, scoring a total of 27 runs across four innings. His involvement in cricket spanned from 1864 to 1901 with various clubs, including Gentlemen of Lancashire and Marylebone Cricket Club.

Walker is featured in William Barnes Wollen's painting "The Rugby Match," depicting Yorkshire's 1893/94 victory over Lancashire. In the painting, he can be seen in the crowd as the seventh person to the right of Tommy Dobson's head.