William Bromet

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William Ernest Bromet (17 May 1868 – 23 January 1949) was an English rugby union forward who played for Oxford University, Tadcaster, and Richmond, and represented Yorkshire at the county level. He earned 12 England caps between 1891 and 1896 and also played for the British Isles on the first official tour in 1891. Bromet was part of England’s 1892 Triple Crown-winning team and helped Yorkshire win the County Championship that year. He also played for the Barbarian Football Club. His brother, Edward Bromet, also played internationally, and the two brothers even played Test rugby together.

Bromet was born in Tadcaster, Yorkshire, the youngest of seven children of solicitor John Addinell Bromet and Elizabeth Smith. He studied at Richmond Grammar School and then Wadham College, Oxford. After university he worked as an articled clerk in a solicitor’s office.

He first came to attention playing for Oxford University. He appeared in one Varsity Match during the 1889/90 season, helping Oxford win the game. In 1891 he had joined Tadcaster Rugby Club and was selected to represent England. England won against Wales and Ireland that year.

That same year Bromet joined the first official British Isles tour to South Africa, playing in 19 tour matches, including all three Tests. He played alongside his brother Edward in the Tests, the only time the Bromet brothers played Test rugby together.

In 1892 Bromet played all three England matches in the Championship, helping England win the Triple Crown after beating Scotland, with Bromet scoring his only international points. He also captained Yorkshire to the County Championship that year. He continued to play for England in the following seasons, but his international career ended after a home defeat to Ireland in 1896.

Off the field, Bromet was a firm believer in amateur rugby. In 1894 he helped organize an anti-professional meeting with leaders like Barbarian founder William Percy Carpmael.

William Bromet died in Winchester, England, in 1949 at the age of 80. He is remembered for helping revive Richmond’s fortunes and for his role in early international rugby history.