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Rugby

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Origin

England

Type

Contact sport, Team sport, Ball sport

Venue

Rugby field, Stadium

Supreme Authority

World Rugby

Summary

Rugby is a team sport played with an oval ball on a rectangular field, with the main objective being to score points by carrying or kicking the ball to the opponent’s try line. Originating in England during the early 19th century, rugby has since evolved into two primary forms: rugby union and rugby league, each with distinct rules and player numbers. Rugby union teams typically have 15 players, while rugby league teams have 13, with both formats governed by separate regulatory bodies.

 

In rugby, scoring can be achieved through a try, which involves grounding the ball in the opponent’s try zone for five points (in rugby union) or four points (in rugby league), and is often followed by a conversion kick worth two points. Additional points can be earned through penalty kicks or drop goals. The game demands both physical strength and strategy, with players often needing to tackle, pass, and make rapid decisions to advance their team’s position on the field.

 

Rugby’s appeal lies in its dynamic nature, requiring endurance, agility, and teamwork. Matches consist of two halves, typically lasting 40 minutes each, with a brief half-time interval. The game has a unique set of rules designed to maintain fluidity, such as the absence of forward passing and the requirement to restart play through scrums, lineouts, and rucks after a stoppage.

 

Rugby is internationally popular, with major tournaments including the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations Championship, and the Rugby Championship. It is played professionally and recreationally worldwide, and rugby sevens—a shorter version with seven players per side—has also gained popularity, being part of the Olympics since 2016. Rugby’s rich traditions and global reach continue to make it one of the most celebrated and intense sports worldwide.

Key Types of Rugby
  • Rugby Union

    Traditional Game: Played with 15 players per team, with points scored through tries, conversions, penalty kicks, and drop goals. Known for its scrums and lineouts, Rugby Union emphasises strategic play and physical contests.

  • Rugby League

    Simplified Rules: Played with 13 players per team, points are also scored through tries, conversions, penalty kicks, and drop goals. Scrums are less contested, creating a faster-paced game compared to Rugby Union.

  • Sevens Rugby

    Fast-Paced Variant: A form of Rugby Union with only 7 players per team and shorter matches, featuring rapid gameplay and typically high scores.

  • Touch Rugby

    Non-Contact Version: A non-contact variant where tackles are replaced by touches, popular in mixed-gender and junior games.

  • Tag Rugby

    Non-Contact Training Variant: Similar to touch rugby, but with players wearing tags removed to simulate tackles. Often used in training and junior games.

Competitions
  • Rugby is included in the Olympic Games through the Rugby Sevens format.
  • The Rugby Union World Cup and Rugby League World Cup are major international competitions, organised by World Rugby and the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), respectively.
  • Regional and national tournaments like the Six Nations Championship (Rugby Union) in Europe and the State of Origin series (Rugby League) in Australia attract significant attention.
Rugby image
Sports
Rugby
Supreme Authority
World Rugby
Type
Contact sport
Team sport
Ball sport
Venue
Rugby field, Stadium
Team members
15 (with up to 8 substitutes)
Mixed-sex
Yes
Equipment
Rugby ball
Mouthguard
Cleats
Protective gear

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