Gurdon represented England fourteen times during the early development of international rugby union, once as captain.

He and his brother Edward Temple Gurdon formed one of the most notable sibling pairings in English rugby.

Gurdon was reselected for the very next international and for the first time, the brothers played in the same pack for England, Edward scoring a try in a heavy defeat of Scotland.

His sixth match, against Ireland at Lansdowne Road, was notable as the one and only time that Gurdon was given the captaincy of the England national team.

Under the captaincy of his brother Edward, England had won the first two games against Ireland and Wales, leaving the match with Scotland as the Championship decider.

In a tight and exciting game England narrowly won, taking the title, Calcutta Cup and the very first Triple Crown.

Gurdon returned for the 1884 Home Nations Championship, and under the captaincy of his brother, he played in the first and third games of the tournament; England taking the Triple Crown for the second year in succession.