the mark rule

Question
what year was the mark rule introduced in rugby union?

Answer
Nick,

Actually, the mark (similar to Gridiron "free catch") has been around as a feature of rugby union football longer than rugby union football has officially existed.

The Football Association was formed in 1863.  The original purpose of the meeting held in October in London was to develop a code of laws that would bring the best of all different styles of football being played together.  

There was an official draft of the Football Association rules being considered.  However, an alternate draft of the laws known as the Cambridge Rules was also being published in the papers.  These rules were different form the Football Association rules in the significant area that ball could be run.  

The proposed Cambridge actually mentioned the mark:

IX. A player shall be entitled to run with the ball towards his adversaries' goal if he makes a fair catch, or catches the ball on the first bound; but in case of a fair catch, if he makes his mark he shall not run

There was a movement to prevent this from being in the new laws of football.  Several teams, later to be foundation of the original rugby football union, under the lead of the Blackheath club, walked out of the meetings and did not join the Football Association.

In January, 1871, 22 clubs formed the Rugby Football Union.

I hope that answers your question,

Deane Shephard
Stuttgart RFC