The split between Rugby Union and Rugby League is one of the most significant events in the history of the sport. While both forms of rugby share common origins, they diverged in the late 19th century due to fundamental disagreements over professionalism and class divisions.
Today, Rugby Union and Rugby League exist as separate sports, each with its own rules, culture, and global following. But what exactly caused the divide? Let’s explore the historical, financial, and social reasons behind the split.
1. The Early Days of Rugby – One Sport, One Game
The Birth of Rugby
Rugby traces its origins to Rugby School in England, where, according to legend, William Webb Ellis picked up a football and ran with it in 1823. From there, the game developed across England and other parts of the world.
By 1871, the Rugby Football Union (RFU) was formed to standardize the rules of the sport. At this stage, rugby was still an amateur game, meaning that players were not paid.
As the game grew, different regions and social classes adopted rugby, and soon, a major divide emerged between the working-class north and the wealthier south of England.
2. The Key Reason for the Split – Professionalism vs. Amateurism
The Class Divide in English Rugby
By the late 19th century, rugby was particularly popular in Northern England, where industrial workers played the sport for recreation. However, many of these players could not afford to take time off work to play.
Northern clubs argued that players should be compensated for lost wages when playing rugby. Meanwhile, the RFU, dominated by southern clubs, insisted that rugby must remain an amateur sport, meaning no players should be paid.
This disagreement over payment for players caused a major divide within the game.
3. The Formation of Rugby League (1895)
The “Great Schism” of Rugby
On August 29, 1895, at the George Hotel in Huddersfield, representatives from 22 northern clubs met and decided to break away from the RFU.
They formed the Northern Rugby Football Union (NRFU)—which would later become Rugby League.
This marked the official split between Rugby Union and Rugby League, with the key difference being that Rugby League embraced professionalism, while Rugby Union remained strictly amateur for nearly a century.
Key Changes in Rugby League Rules
To differentiate itself from Rugby Union, the newly formed Rugby League made several rule changes:
- Reduced the number of players from 15 to 13.
- Eliminated lineouts and contested scrums.
- Introduced a six-tackle rule for faster gameplay.
- Emphasized open play and limited rucks and mauls.
These changes made Rugby League a faster, more attacking-oriented game, while Rugby Union remained more structured and tactical.
4. Rugby Union’s Resistance to Professionalism
While Rugby League embraced professionalism, Rugby Union remained an amateur sport for over 100 years.
The RFU banned players who had ever played Rugby League from participating in Rugby Union competitions. This meant that many talented players from working-class backgrounds had to choose between playing Rugby League for money or staying in Rugby Union as unpaid athletes.
It wasn’t until 1995—a full 100 years after the split—that Rugby Union finally embraced professionalism, following the success of the Rugby World Cup.
5. The Global Impact of the Rugby Split
Rugby League Strongholds
- Rugby League became dominant in Northern England, Australia, and New Zealand.
- Countries like Papua New Guinea, France, and Tonga also developed strong Rugby League traditions.
Rugby Union’s Global Reach
- Rugby Union retained its international appeal, with the Six Nations, The Rugby Championship, and the Rugby World Cup being some of the biggest events in world sport.
- Countries like South Africa, New Zealand, England, France, and Ireland became powerhouses in Rugby Union.
6. Modern-Day Rugby – Are the Sports Still Divided?
Today, both Rugby Union and Rugby League exist as separate but respected sports.
However, the divide between the two codes has softened, with some players switching between the two, such as:
- Sonny Bill Williams, who played Rugby League for the Sydney Roosters before switching to Rugby Union and winning the Rugby World Cup with New Zealand.
- Sam Burgess, a Rugby League star who briefly played Rugby Union for England.
Despite their differences, Rugby Union and Rugby League have begun to collaborate more, with shared events and discussions about the future of the sport.
External High Authority Links
For more insights into Rugby Union and Rugby League history, check out:
- World Rugby – Governing body for Rugby Union.
- International Rugby League – Governing body for Rugby League.
- BBC Sport Rugby – Latest news on Rugby League and Union.
Call to Action
Do you follow Rugby Union or Rugby League? Which sport do you prefer and why?
Drop your thoughts in the comments below! If you enjoyed this article, share it with your fellow rugby fans and stay tuned for more rugby insights!
See Also: What Type of Rugby Is Six Nations?
