"Longest game of Rugby" - LooseHeadz & Wooden Spoon smash World Records and launch '#Hugby' campaign at Lions match

Monday, 23 June 2025 at 13:15

byTom Sansom

In an extraordinary show of endurance and unity, mental health charity LooseHeadz shattered the Guinness World Records, for the longest ever men’s and women’s rugby matches. The feat took part over more than an entire day, and it was all in support of mental well-being and community. But the impact didn’t end on the pitch.

On 18th June, at Mullingar Rugby Club, Westmeath, Ireland, teams kicked off at 8am for the women’s match, followed by the men’s game shortly after. By 20 June, the women’s fixture had set a new Guinness benchmark at 26 hours and 33 minutes, eclipsing the previous 24-hour mark.

Meanwhile, the men’s side clocked past 30 hours, 29 minutes and 41 seconds, finally wrapping up just after 8pm on Thursday. The epic fundraiser has already raised over £110,000, with donations still pouring in via JustGiving.

Rugby legends including Tommy Bowe, Gavin Hastings, Ieuan Evans, and Ben Calveley were among those showing support, while England Red Roses great Tamara Taylor joined the action on the field.

As the British & Irish Lions faced Argentina at Dublin’s Aviva Stadium on 20 June, the message behind the marathon truly came alive. In front of a sell-out crowd of 51,700 fans, LooseHeadz launched their new mental health initiative, #Hugby.

Immediately after Argentina’s national anthem, the entire stadium took part in a powerful moment of solidarity — a collective group hug to challenge stigma and bring mental health into the spotlight.

Rob Shotton, co-founder of LooseHeadz, reflected on the experience: “What began with a group of strangers quickly became something much bigger. We leave not just as team-mates, but as mates for life. That’s the power of rugby. We’re buzzing to have broken two Guinness World Records — and it’s all thanks to the grit, determination, and togetherness of every player, volunteer, organiser, physio and everyone at Mullingar Rugby Club.”

He added: “As rugby’s mental health charity, we hope setting this record helps shine a light on an important message — tackling the stigma around mental health in our sport. And we’re not stopping here.”

For LooseHeadz and their partners at Wooden Spoon, this was about more than just rugby. It was about bringing the conversation around mental health out of the shadows and into the heart of the game. What started in a clubhouse eight years ago has now played out on one of the biggest stages in world rugby, and they’re only just getting started.