The origins of Rolls-Royce Rugby Football Club go back to 1941, when a Rolls-Royce XV played a few games.

The first was played at Belper against Westcliffe (Evacuees) and Rolls-Royce won 3-0, with Denys Hope scoring a try under the posts but Ken Davies failed to convert. Denys and Ken were to become stalwarts of the club through its early years, with Denys being the secretary from 1943 to 1955 and Ken Davies, a brilliant centre, who regularly played for the Three Counties and remained loyal to the club throughout his career.

Another early game was played between Rolls-Royce (Belper) and Rolls-Royce (Derby) with David Huddie appearing for Belper and Dennis McCarthy leading the Derby team.

In those dark days of the war, long hours were worked and it was not until the 16th November 1943 that the Rugby Club was formally accepted as a section of the Rolls-Royce Welfare Society.