This part of our web guide features rugby football, a collective name for rugby union or rugby league team sports.
Canadian football, and to a lesser degree, American football, were historically regarded as variants of rugby football. However, they are rarely described this way today. The organization overseeing Canadian football, Football Canada, was known as the Canadian Rugby Union until 1967, more than half a century after the sport diverted from rugby regulations.
Both rugby union and rugby league sports are appropriate topics for this category.
The roots of rugby football go back to the early 19th century at Rugby School in Warwickshire, England. Unverified tradition has it that William Webb Ellis, a student at the school, defined conventional football rules by picking up the ball and running with it, thus planting the seed for rugby.
Rules for the game began to formalize in the mid-19th century, with the establishment of standardized rules. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) was founded in 1871 to oversee the sport's development.
However, a schism emerged in 1895 when disputes over player compensation led to the formation of the Northern Rugby Football Union, later known as rugby league. This split marked the genesis of two distinct codes: rugby union and rugby league.
Rugby union is typically played with 15 players per team on a rectangular field. The objective is to score points through tries (touching the ball down in the opponent's in-goal area), conversions, penalty kicks, and drop goals. The game emphasizes a blend of forward play (scrums and mauls) and backline play, allowing for both physicality and strategic finesse.
Rugby union, on the other hand, features 13 players per side and a faster-paced game. Its rules, including the six-tackle system, encourage dynamic and continuous play, often favoring athleticism and open-field running. Scrums and line-outs, prominent in rugby union, are simplified or absent in rugby league.
Both forms of rugby have cultivated a global following, although especially popular in England. Fans of both codes passionately support their teams.
The equipment in rugby includes a distinctive oval-shaped ball designed for handling and kicking. Players wear minimal gear, such as mouthguards and padded shirts, reflecting the sport's tradition of roughness and physicality.
The International Rugby Board (IRB), now known as World Rugby, governs rugby union worldwide. Established in 1886, it oversees major tournaments like the Rugby World Cup, the Six Nations Championship, and the Rugby Championship. Rugby league's global governance lies with the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF), which organizes events like the Rugby League World Cup and regional competitions.
Today, rugby union and rugby league enjoy widespread popularity. Rugby union's inclusion in the Olympics (as rugby sevens) and rugby league's loyal fan base have propelled both variants to international acclaim.
Recommended Resources
Philippine Rugby Football Union
The PRFU is the governing body for rugby union in the Philippines. Founded in 1998, it became affiliated with the International Rugby Board in 2004. The organization's website presents a profile and history of the PRFU, including its mission statement, purpose, strategic plans, and national programs. Its board of trustees is introduced, along with its sponsors, accreditations, and programs, such as club rugby, youth rugby, and its national teams. An online store offers branded apparel.
https://www.philippines.rugby/
Previously known as Australian Rugby Union Limited and Australian Rugby Football Union Limited, Rugby Australia operates the premier rugby union competition in Australia. Originating in 1949, it is a member of World Rugby and has eight member unions, representing each state, the Northern Territory, and the Australian Capital Territory. It also manages national representative rugby union teams, including the Wallabies and the Wallaroos. Its national teams are highlighted, and contacts are posted.
https://www.rugby.com.au/
Rugby Canada is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in Canada. Incorporated in 1974, the organization stems from the Canadian Rugby Football Union, a body established in 1884 that now governs amateur Canadian football as Football Canada, and the now-defunct Rugby Union of Canada, established in 1929. Rookie Rugby (12 and under), Junior Rugby (13-19), Senior Rugby (19+), and Masters Rugby (35+) are highlighted, along with age grade law variations.
https://rugby.ca/en
Officially known as Saskatchewan Rugby, Sask Rugby is the governing body for rugby in Saskatchewan, Canada. Established in 1971, it oversees rugby competitions, clubs, and community programs in the province. The organization offers various divisions, including men's, women's, and junior leagues, and also supports representative teams like Team Sask for regional and national competitions. Contacts, a calendar of events, competitions, clubs, and an online store are featured.
https://www.saskrugby.com/
Formally known as the United States of America Rugby Football, USA Rugby is the national governing body for the sport of rugby union in the United States. It is responsible for promoting and developing the sport in the United States and promoting U.S. international participation. USA Rugby was founded in 1975 and is governed by a board of directors and four national councils across youth and high school, college, senior club, and international athlete. It is a member of World Rugby.
https://usa.rugby/
Founded as the International Rugby Football Board in 1886, the organization was renamed the International Rugby Board in 1998 and took its current name in 2014. World Rugby is the governing body for the rugby union. It organizes the Rugby World Cup every four years and organizes several other international competitions, which are featured here. The game is highlighted on the organization's website, along with fixtures and results, membership information, and contacts.
https://www.world.rugby/
