What's this all about?

The rugby world cup is going on right now over here (Is it? Oh...) and so a carmaker seems to have cashed in by creating a special edition themed around the egg-chasing sport. But it might surprise you which brand we're talking about...

Who is it? Peugeot? Mazda? They both like a special edition.

They do indeed. But it's none other than Rolls-Royce - and not only that, but the Wraith - History of Rugby is a one-off bespoke creation.

Why has Rolls decided to do this?

Apparently, because both it and rugby were founded when people challenged convention. The Honourable Charles Rolls and Sir Henry Royce, in creating R-R in 1906, wanted to redefine what the 'best car in the world should be able to do'. While of course, William Webb Ellis - in 1823 at Rugby School, Warwickshire - realised he was a bit crap at football and so just cheated by picking up the ball and running with it. Bizarrely, instead of getting the proper punishment of a damned sound thrashing, his 'invention' was instead turned into a sport.

Hmm, I take it you're not a rugby fan. But tell me about this special Roller anyway.

Issuing forth from Rolls-Royce's Bespoke Design Studio in Goodwood, the design features of the Wraith - History of Rugby are inspired by the game and also the school. So the English White paint is the same colour as the national team's shirts, which in turn are the same as the white shirt worn at Rugby School. A red rose motif is used in various places, in particular on the shoulder line, which itself is hand-applied in deep green. This Wraith also gets 21-inch five twin-spoke alloys. Which, er... well, we don't know what they symbolise in terms of rugby. Maybe a historic chancellor of the school used to roll on 19s on his horse-drawn carriage, or something.

How about the interior? Is the leather made of old rugby balls?

Now you're being silly. Instead, each headrest features an embroidered red rose, with Hotspur Red used on the dashboard accent panel, seats and door piping. Piano Black veneer is employed, with a 'delicately inlaid' English rose on the console, while the main colour within is Seashell with Navy Blue. But there is a rugby ball involved here: Gilbert, the main manufacturer of such items, has made a limited number of balls to match this Wraith. They feature Seashell and Hotspur Red leather, have all been embroidered at Goodwood and feature the red rose on one panel and the Rolls-Royce logo on the other.

And the place used for the pictures of this car?

Rugby School, naturally, founded in 1567, which features a plaque commemorating Webb Ellis himself. And not one saying 'some bloke buggered up football here and got away with it scot free'.

Let it go, now. Really.

We'll try. We promise.

Matt Robinson - 22 Sep 2015