text: It's the hallowed turf where the modern day game of rugby was born when one of its pupils picked up a football and ran with it in the early 19th century. Rugby School is known as the spiritual home of the game, with the World Cup trophy named the Webb Ellis Cup in honour of the schoolboy called William who made the daring decision to disregard the rules in 1823. Today the school is still steeped in the traditions of the sport, alongside its own rich history of 'muscular Christianity' led by its most famous headmaster, Dr Thomas Arnold who is credited with transforming Rugby School's values in an effort to build pupils' characters. Here is modern-day portrait of a historic British institution, by photographer Neil Hall. The inspiration: A statue at Rugby School depicting the moment pupil William Webb Ellis picked up a football and ran with it during a match in 1823, in an action said to be the beginning of the modern game of rugby after pupils wrote their own set of rules . In the shadow of history: A school plaque marks Webb Ellis' run, calling his decision to pick up the ball 'a fine disregard for the rules' Service: Pupils attend chapel at the historic independent school, where team sport has been played for hundreds of years . Still thriving: A pupil catches a line-out throw supported by fellow players on the fields of Rugby School where the sport is still played . Practice makes perfect: A young player shapes to pass during a training session at the Warwickshire institution . Proud history: Older pupils share a meal in a boarding house, in sight of the achievements of their predecessors including cups and caps . Artefacts: An early rugby ball dating from 1850, left, and a cap worn by a pupil on his presentation to Queen Adelaide in 1839 . Historic: A printed book of rules for the game of rugby, left, which was carried on the pitch by players and a cap embroidered with names of opponents and dates of matches. Both items are displayed at the school, which is a tourist attraction for rugby fans . Making their mark: Desktops containing the names of hundreds of former pupils are also exhibited at Rugby School . Order among the chaos: The first handwritten rules of the game of rugby, dated August 28, 1845, are viewable at the school's museum . Father of Rugby School: The chapel grave of Dr Thomas Arnold, the headmaster who transformed the school's values and is credited with the 'muscular Christianity' ideal of the Victorian era . Former pupil: Britain's first prime minister of WWII, Neville Chamberlain, attended Rugby. He was succeeded in office by Winston Churchill . Rich tradition: Pupils at the school walk to lessons. It can cost families of those who board there more than £31,000 a year .
target: Rugby School in Warwickshire known as the birthplace as modern rugby after celebrated incident .
  Pupil Webb Ellis ran with a football during a match in 1823, with the new game codified by pupils within decades .
  School is steeped in tradition and maintains its historic link with sport of rugby on its playing fields and in museum .