Rugby
Rugby Union vs. Rugby League: So, What’s the Big Difference?
Rugby Union and Rugby League may share the same roots, but the games are very different. From scoring systems to tackles to scrums to pace of play, this guide breaks down everything you need to know about the two rugby codes.
To most people, rugby is just rugby. You’ve got big tackles, fast runs, intense rivalries, and an atmosphere that grips the nation. But, once you start to dive deeper, you’ll see that it’s actually split into two completely different groupings: Rugby Union and Rugby League.
While they may look similar at first, once that whistle blows, the rules, strategies, and history are completely different. Let’s break down the biggest differences between Rugby Union and Rugby League.
The Origins of Rugby Union and Rugby League
Rugby, as we know it, originated in the late 1800s in England. Both Rugby Union and Rugby League started here, but split in 1895, over an argument about player compensation.
Rugby Union
Rugby Union stuck to its amateur roots for many years, focusing on tradition and international competitions. But fast forward to today, where it is globally recognised and played professionally around the world.
Major competitions include:
- The Rugby World Cup
- Premiership Rugby
Rugby League
Rugby League emerged in Northern England as a paid, faster form of rugby. Their aim was to make the game more exciting for paying crowds, and so they started playing a more streamlined version of rugby. Today, Rugby League is popular in Northern England, New Zealand, Australia, and Papua New Guinea.
Major competitions include:
- NRL
- Super League
- Rugby League World Cup
Number of Players
The most obvious and easiest way to tell these two types of rugby apart? Counting the number of players on the field. Rugby Union has 15 players per team with 8 forwards and 7 backs while Rugby League has 13 players per team with 6 forwards and 7 backs.This makes a difference to the speed of attacking play.
The Biggest Rule Difference: Tackles and Possession
This is where you can truly tell the difference between the two.
Rugby Union
Rugby Union is all about endless possession. So, as long as the attacking team has the ball, there is no limit on how many phases a team can play. This unpredictable style of rugby means that once a player is tackled and a “ruck” forms, there is a contested battle for the ball.
You never know what will happen with tactical kicks and constant turnovers. That’s what makes Rugby Union so gripping; it’s a non-stop game where you never truly know what will happen next.
Rugby League
Rugby League, on the other hand, operates on a countdown. Teams have exactly six tackles to score a try before they have to hand over the ball. As soon as a player is tackled, they pop right back up, roll the ball backwards with their foot, and the play restarts instantly. So, if they haven’t scored by the sixth tackle, the other team takes over the play. This faster, more structured form of play makes every second count.
Scrums and Lineouts
Rugby Union
Scrums and lineouts are the ultimate tests of strength and strategy in Rugby Union. A scrum is the true test of strength as eight players from each team lock heads and throw their body weight against each other fighting for possession of the ball.
A lineout happens when the ball gets kicked out of bounds. Each team throws a player in the air to compete for the ball. It is within these moments that matches are won or lost as they dictate the pace of the game.
Rugby League
In Rugby League, scrums still exist, but they are used as a way to get the ball quickly back into play. Lineouts, on the other hand, are nonexistent. If the ball goes out of bounds, the game restarts instantly with a quick tap or a scrum.
Scoring Differences
When it comes to putting points on the board, both games use tries, but the points differ slightly.
Pace and Playing Style
Rugby Union Style
At its core, Rugby Union is a more tactical and physical game that is focused on territory and possession. Although it is a slower game, it is more strategic by nature, especially in high-stakes international matches. Kicking plays a huge role in Rugby Union as it’s used to gain possession and territory. Basically, it’s a game built for strategy.
Rugby League Style
Rugby League is basically a faster form of rugby with more focus on attacks. It’s built around quick running and passing. Because teams only have six tackles to make something happen, the game moves fast, making every second exciting. This makes it easier for new fans to follow.
Final Thoughts
While they might share the same roots, Rugby Union and Rugby League are two completely different sports today. Rugby Union is all about strategy, set pieces, and physical competition. Rugby League, on the other hand, is all about speed and structure. Either way, both games give you that rugby rush you’ve been looking for.
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