What is Rugby?

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What Is Rugby?

According to records, rugby was invented in 1823 when William Webb Ellis, a pupil at Rugby School, defied the conventions football of the day (that the ball may only be kicked forward) to pick up the ball and run with it in a game, thus creating the distinct handling game of rugby. Now – the is game played with an oval ball by two teams of 15 players or 7 players in an 80 minute match comprised of two 40 minute halves.

Rugby School, whose name has been given to the sport, was pivotal in the development of rugby football, and the first rules of the game that became rugby union football were established there in 1845.

Now, rugby is played worldwide by people of all ages from across a wide and diverse range of backgrounds. More than 8.5 million people aged from six to 60+ regularly participate in the playing of the game. The wide variation of skills and physical requirements needed for the game mean that there is an opportunity for individuals of every shape, size and ability to participate!

Game Variations

Fifteens

In the traditional form of the game, players are introduced to the full game of rugby, the core of the sport. Rugby 15s features 15 players per side with eight replacements. There are eight forwards and seven backs on a team.

A try is worth five points with a conversion worth two. Penalty kicks and drop goals are both worth three points. If a player is sin-binned, they must sit out for 10 minutes.

Games are played over 80 minutes in two halves of 40 minutes. Half time lasts 10 minutes.

Sevens

Rugby sevens is a stripped-down version of rugby union with just seven players on each team playing on a full sized pitch. There are four backs, three forwards and each team can have up to five replacements. With fewer bodies and extra space on the pitch, games are fast-paced, full of breakaway sprints and exciting tries.

There are two seven-minute halves and a quick one minute half-time break for players to catch their breath. Scoring is the same as the 15-man game: five points for a try, two for a conversion and three for a penalty kick or drop goal. All conversions must be taken within 40 seconds and must be taken as a drop goal rather than a place kick. The scoring team kicks off to the opposition.

T1 Rugby

T1 Rugby is the world’s first non-contact sport that fully reflects the unique characteristics of rugby, including non-contact scrums, lineouts, and breakdown.

With an emphasis on fun, fitness, inclusion and time optimization, this flexible half-field 7-a-side version is a game for everyone, played by anyone.

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Mixed Ability Rugby

Mixed Ability is a social movement that promotes equity and inclusion and recognizes the right of everyone to participate in community sport and benefit from its transformational power without being separated, classified, or labelled. Mixed Ability teams include people facing a whole range of barriers to participation, alongside people that don’t experience any of these barriers.

Mixed Ability Rugby follows the same laws with only minor adjustments to take into account individual participants’ needs.

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