Charles Brennus sculpted the shield himself in 1892, based on an original design from his friend and fellow USFSA co-founder Pierre de Coubertin, the man who founded the modern Olympic Games.

[2] Standing 1 metre (3.3 ft) high, 75 centimetres (2.46 ft) wide, 2.5 centimetres (0.98 in) thick and weighing around 20 kilograms (44 lb), the trophy consists of a brass shield which includes the arms of USFSA as well as the moto "Ludus Pro Patria" (Latin for "Games for Motherland"), a plaque which would receive the names of the clubs winning the trophy and finally a wooden support made from ash.

[2] Like other sporting trophies, the Bouclier de Brennus had a very eventful life and by the end of the 20th century was in battered condition.

A century of celebrations and resulting mistreatment, including the shield being used as a tray, skateboard or surfboard on several occasions, had taken its toll.

Players and rugby union supporters nicknamed it "Le Bout de bois" (French for "The Piece of Wood").