Rugby is one of the most thrilling and physically demanding sports in the world, but if you’ve ever followed it closely, you may have noticed something peculiar—there isn’t just one type of rugby, but two: Rugby Union and Rugby League.
While both codes share a common origin, they have distinct rules, gameplay styles, and cultures. But why did rugby split into two different sports? Let’s explore the fascinating history and differences between Rugby Union and Rugby League to understand why two separate versions of the game exist today.
The Origin of Rugby: How It All Began
Rugby traces its roots back to 1823 at Rugby School in England, where legend has it that a student named William Webb Ellis picked up a football and ran with it, breaking the traditional rules of soccer. This moment is widely regarded as the birth of rugby, although the sport evolved significantly from there.
As the game grew in popularity, clubs across England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland formed their own rugby associations. In 1871, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) was established to oversee the game’s development.
The Great Rugby Split: The Birth of Two Codes
The biggest turning point in rugby history came in 1895, when a bitter dispute over player payments and professionalism led to the creation of Rugby League.
1. The Key Disagreement: Amateurism vs. Professionalism
- The Rugby Football Union (RFU) insisted that rugby remain an amateur sport, meaning players could not be paid.
- Many working-class players in Northern England, particularly in industrial towns like Leeds and Wigan, could not afford to play rugby without financial compensation. They needed to be paid for lost wages while competing.
- The RFU refused to allow payments, arguing that rugby should be played for “the love of the game” rather than money.
- As a result, 22 clubs from Northern England broke away on August 29, 1895, forming the Northern Rugby Football Union (NRFU)—later renamed Rugby League in 1922.
2. The Creation of Rugby League
Once Rugby League was formed, it quickly introduced rule changes to make the game faster and more spectator-friendly:
- Fewer players (13 per team instead of 15).
- No rucks and mauls—the play restarts quickly after a tackle.
- Limited tackles before the ball is handed over (originally unlimited, later reduced to six tackles).
These changes made Rugby League faster-paced, more open, and more attack-oriented, contrasting with the slower, tactical nature of Rugby Union.
Key Differences Between Rugby Union and Rugby League
1. Number of Players
- Rugby Union: 15 players per team.
- Rugby League: 13 players per team.
2. Tackling & Play the Ball
- Rugby Union: When a player is tackled, a ruck forms, allowing a contest for possession.
- Rugby League: After a tackle, the player must perform a “play the ball” action, rolling the ball backward with their foot for a teammate to pick up.
3. Scrums
- Rugby Union: Scrums are highly competitive and used often.
- Rugby League: Scrums are mostly uncontested and serve as a restart rather than a real contest.
4. Lineouts
- Rugby Union: Lineouts occur when the ball goes out of bounds—players lift teammates to catch the ball.
- Rugby League: No lineouts—play restarts with a simple handover or scrum.
5. Tackles and Phases
- Rugby Union: No limit on the number of tackles—teams can keep possession for long periods.
- Rugby League: Each team has six tackles to advance the ball before possession is handed over.
6. Points System
| Action | Rugby Union | Rugby League |
|---|---|---|
| Try | 5 points | 4 points |
| Conversion | 2 points | 2 points |
| Penalty Goal | 3 points | 2 points |
| Drop Goal | 3 points | 1 point |
7. Playing Styles
- Rugby Union: More focus on set-pieces, tactical kicking, and structured plays.
- Rugby League: Faster-paced, with fewer stoppages and more dynamic, end-to-end action.
Which Rugby Is More Popular?
While both forms of rugby have strong followings, Rugby Union is generally more popular worldwide, with competitions like:
- The Rugby World Cup (won by teams like New Zealand, South Africa, and England).
- The Six Nations Championship (Europe’s top rugby nations).
- The Rugby Championship (featuring Southern Hemisphere giants like New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa).
Meanwhile, Rugby League is dominant in fewer regions, primarily:
- Australia and New Zealand (with the NRL as the premier competition).
- Northern England (with Super League as its top division).
While Rugby League is huge in Sydney, Brisbane, and northern England, Rugby Union remains the global leader, played in more countries and featured in the Olympics (Sevens format).
External High Authority Links
- Learn about World Rugby’s official rules
- Find out how Rugby League evolved over time
- Discover the differences between Rugby Union and League
- Explore the history of Rugby Union
Call to Action
Are you a Rugby Union or Rugby League fan? Which version of the game do you prefer? Drop a comment below and let us know your thoughts! Also, don’t forget to share this article with fellow rugby lovers and follow us for more sports insights.
See Also: Which Rugby Has Scrums?
