Archie Rigg
English rugby union footballer and coach, and rugby league footballer
About Archie Rigg
Lived 1872 – 1951 (aged 78–79). Archie Rigg was a British rugby league player and rugby union player.
James Archer Rigg (14 February 1873 – 29 May 1951), also known by the nickname of "Archie ", was an English rugby union, and professional rugby league footballer who played in the 1890s and 1900s, and coached rugby union in the 1910s and 1920s. He played club level rugby union (RU) for Halifax, and representative level rugby league (RL) for Yorkshire, and at club level for Halifax and Bradford Northern, as a and coached rugby union at the newly established Halifax RUFC (formed 1919), after completing his playing career, with fellow Halifax Hall Of Fame Inductee Joe Riley. Prior to Tuesday 27 August 1895, Halifax was a rugby union club.
Background Archie Rigg's birth was registered in Halifax district, West Riding of Yorkshire. He died at his home in Halifax on 29 May 1951, aged 79.
Playing career Club career Rigg made his début on Saturday 19 September 1891 under rugby union rules, helping the club win the Yorkshire Cup in 1893 and 1894. and he played for Halifax until 1906 before moving to Bradford.
Rigg played, and was captain in Halifax's 7–0 victory over by Salford in the 1903 Challenge Cup final, during the 1902–03 season at Headingley, Leeds, in front of a crowd of 32,507.
Rigg's Testimonial match at Halifax took place against Huddersfield at Thrum Hall, Halifax on Saturday 23 January 1904, Halifax's first ever matchday programme was produced for the match.
County honours Rigg won caps for Yorkshire (RL) while at Halifax.
Honoured at Halifax Rigg is a Halifax Hall Of Fame Inductee.
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Important facts
People in Archie Rigg's life
Named in this biography and alive at the same time
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Archie Rigg's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Archie Rigg?
English rugby union footballer and coach, and rugby league footballer
When was Archie Rigg born?
Archie Rigg was born in 1872 in Halifax.
When did Archie Rigg die?
Archie Rigg died in 1951 in Halifax.
What was Archie Rigg's occupation?
Archie Rigg was a rugby league player and rugby union player.
What nationality was Archie Rigg?
Archie Rigg was British.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Archie Rigg. https://biography.guide/archie-rigg/
MLA: "Archie Rigg." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/archie-rigg/.
Chicago: "Archie Rigg." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/archie-rigg/.
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