Rugby union is an outdoor contact sport played with a prolate spheroid-shaped ball by two teams of 15 players. Many Sports involve a degree of player-to-player and/or player-to-object contact A prolate spheroid is a Spheroid in which the polar Diameter is longer than the Equatorial diameter It is one of the two main codes of rugby football, the other being rugby league. Rugby football (usually just " rugby " may refer to a number of sports through history descended from a common form of Football developed at Rugby School History See also History of rugby league The grass roots of rugby league can be traced to early football history, through the playing of ball games There is also a seven-a-side variant named rugby sevens, which is played under modified rules and with only seven players per team. Rugby union is often referred to as simply rugby, or as football, and in regions where rugby league is played, as union. ^[1][2]

Contents 1 Overview 2 Governing bodies 3 Worldwide 4 Major international competitions 5 Women's Rugby 6 In the British military 7 Variants 8 See also 9 Bibliography 10 References 11 External links

Overview

Main article: Playing rugby union

A rugby union match lasts for 80 minutes, with a short interval (not more than 10 minutes)^[3] after the first 40 minutes; at under-19 level and below, games are limited to a maximum of 70 minutes, with an interval after 35 minutes. A typical passage of Rugby union takes the following form One team will initially gain possession of the ball either from the kick-off a restart kick or a set piece ( scrum ^[4] A match is controlled by a referee, who is assisted by two touch judges or assistant referees. A referee is a person who has authority to make decisions about play in many Sports Officials in various sports are known by a variety of titles including referee The touch judge is an official who monitors the Touch-line in a game of Rugby union or Rugby league and raises a flag if the ball (or player carrying it For professional matches, a television match official (TMO), commonly called the video referee is often employed, usually to advise the referee on matters pertaining to the scoring of tries and dropped goals. A video referee (also known as the video umpire, instant replay official, television match official or third umpire, is a sports official A try is the major way of scoring points in Rugby league and Rugby union. A drop goal, also referred to as a dropped goal or field goal, is a method of scoring points in Rugby union and Rugby league.

The object of the game is to score as many points as possible. The team that scores the greater number of points is the winner.

Points are awarded for scoring a try or kicking a goal. A try, which is worth 5 points, is scored when the ball is grounded by a player on the attacking team within the opponent's in-goal area. A goal is scored by kicking the ball over the crossbar of the opponent's goal while remaining between the posts.

There are three ways to score a goal: (i) a dropped goal (scored in open play where the ball must hit the ground immediately before it is kicked); (ii) a penalty goal (awarded after the opposing side infringes against the laws of rugby and may be kicked from a stationary ground position or by drop kick); and (iii) a conversion (awarded after a try is scored) by either a drop kick or a place kick. A drop goal, also referred to as a dropped goal or field goal, is a method of scoring points in Rugby union and Rugby league. In Rugby football, the penalty is the main disciplinary sanction available to the referee to penalise players who commit deliberate infringements A try is the major way of scoring points in Rugby league and Rugby union. A penalty or dropped goal is worth 3 points; a conversion is worth 2 points.

The pitch must be no more than 100 meters in length, not including the in-goal area. The depth of the in-goal area can vary but must be at least 10 meters (where practicable) and no more than 22 meters. The width of the pitch may also vary but must be no more than 70 meters wide. The goal posts are situated on the centre of the goal line with the upright posts placed 5. 6 meters apart and the crossbar is placed 3 meters above the ground in an 'H' shape. The overall height of the goal posts must be over 3. 4 meters.

A typical passage of rugby takes the following form: the team in possession of the ball moves the ball up the field in an effort to ground the ball over the opponents' goal-line in order to score a try until such time as the ball carrier is tackled. A typical passage of Rugby union takes the following form One team will initially gain possession of the ball either from the kick-off a restart kick or a set piece ( scrum They then form a ruck in order to win the ball back. A typical passage of Rugby union takes the following form One team will initially gain possession of the ball either from the kick-off a restart kick or a set piece ( scrum This process repeats until one team loses possession, makes a mistake that violates the Laws of the game, moves off the field of play or a try or goal is scored.

The team in possession may choose to advance by kicking the ball forward. The ball may be passed from one player to another as long as the ball is not thrown forward. Unlike sports such as American football, in Rugby union the ball when passed must not travel forwards (i Rugby union is one of the few ball games where the ball cannot be passed forward. Any team mate nearer the opposition goal than the ball-carrier is off-side and must not interfere with play, meaning that American football-style blocking is forbidden. American football, known in the United States and Canada simply as football, is a competitive Team sport known for mixing strategy with

The team not in possession attempts to stop the ball carrier by tackling them, which consists of grabbing hold of them and bringing them to ground. A tackled player must pass or release the ball, allowing the opposition to contest possession of the loose ball. Play does not stop unless there is an infringement of the laws, or the ball / ball-carrier leaves the field of play.

If the ball goes into touch (out of the field of play), the game restarts with a line-out. A line-out is the means by which in Rugby union, the ball is put back into play after it has gone into touch. If the game stops because of an infringement, play restarts with either a scrum, free kick or penalty kick (depending on the severity of the infringement) awarded to the non-infringing team. Rugby union a scrum is a means of restarting play after a minor infringement

Tries are the main form of scoring, and the primary aim of most teams is to score tries. Drop goals and penalty kicks are usually augmenters, a safer option against a steadfast defense or to punish ill-disciplined opposition. On some (usually rare) occasions, a team may be awarded a penalty try, if their opponents commit a foul which is deemed by the referee to have prevented a probable try.

Governing bodies

See also: International Rugby Board and Timeline of foundation of national rugby unions

The recognised international governing body of rugby union (and associated games, such as sevens) is the International Rugby Board (IRB). The International Rugby Board (IRB is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of Rugby union, and previously for Rugby football. This timeline lists the foundation dates of the national governing bodies for Rugby union &mdashknown as rugby unions or federations The IRB headquarters are located in Dublin, Ireland. Dublin (ˈdʌblɨn/ /ˈdʊblɨn or /ˈdʊbəlɪn/, bˠalʲə aːha klʲiəh or cliə(ɸ is both the largest city and capital of Ireland. Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Ireland. The sport is organised on an all-Ireland basis with one team, governing body

Six regional associations are members of the IRB; these are:

• Africa: Confederation of African Rugby (CAR)
• Asia: Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU)
• North America & West Indies: North America and West Indies Rugby Association (NAWIRA)
• Europe: FIRA - Association Européenne de Rugby (FIRA-AER)
• Oceania: Federation of Oceania Rugby Union (FORU)
• South America: Confederación Sudamericana de Rugby (CONSUR)

National unions oversee rugby union within individual countries. The Confederation of African Rugby (CAR is governing body for Rugby union within Africa. The Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU is the governing body of Rugby union in Asia under the authority of the International Rugby Board. FIRA was formed in 1934 to promote develop organise and administer the game of rugby union in Europe outside the authority of the International Rugby Board (the world governing body of These are affiliated both with the IRB and with their respective regional association.

Worldwide

Rugby union has established itself as a popular sport, particularly in Australia, Argentina, Canada, England, Fiji, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, New Zealand, Romania, Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Tonga and Wales. Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Australia, with its history dating back to 1864 Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Argentina. The first rugby match played in the country dates back to 1873 as the game was introduced by the Rugby union is a moderately popular team sport in Canada. Canada is classified by the International Rugby Board (IRB as a tier two rugby nation alongside Rugby union is one of the leading professional and recreational team sports in England. Rugby union is a popular team sport that is played in Fiji. It is considered to be the national sport of the country Rugby union is the second most popular team sport in France after football and is actually the dominant sport in most of the southern half of the country Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Georgia. Rugby union is considered the second most popular sport in Georgia after football (soccer Rugby union is a popular team sport played in Ireland. The sport is organised on an all-Ireland basis with one team, governing body Rugby union is a popular team sport that is played in Italy. The sport is thought to have been introduced in around the early 1900s with an organisational Japan has the fourth largest population of rugby union players in the world and the sport has been played there for over a century Rugby union is the unofficial National sport of New Zealand. Rugby as it is generally referred to by New Zealanders is an integral part of Rugby union is a fairly popular team sport played in Romania with a tradition of more than 90 years Rugby union is very popular in Samoa and the national team is consistently competitive against teams from vastly more populous nations Rugby union is a popular Team sport in Scotland. The national side today competes in the annual Six Nations Championship and the Rugby union along with cricket and football are the three most popular ball sports in South Africa. Rugby union is the national sport of Tonga. Tonga are considered to be a tier 2 rugby nation by the International Rugby Board. Rugby union is the National sport of Wales and is considered a large part of national culture Other countries with a long tradition of rugby, although as a minority sport, include the USA, Sri Lanka, India, Singapore, Malaysia, Paraguay, Uruguay, Chile, Netherlands, Belgium, Russia, Moldova, Portugal, Spain and numerous African countries. Rugby union in the United States is a growing national sport It is played at the Youth, High school, club, Semi-professional For example, the USA are the reigning Olympic champions, from the Paris Olympics in 1924 (the last year rugby was played as an Olympic sport), when they beat France in the final. Rugby union was played at the 1924 Summer Olympics in Paris. Three teams entered - France Romania and the United States Rugby union is gaining popularity in Italy following its acceptance into the Six Nations. The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international Japan unsuccessfully bid to host the 2011 World Cup losing to New Zealand. The 2011 Rugby World Cup will be the seventh staging of the tournament. New Zealand is an Island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses (the North Island and the South Island Rugby union also has a following in North America, with both Canada and the USA regularly qualifying for the World Cup. One of the attractions of rugby union is the great diversity in playing styles that have been adopted by the various countries that play the game. This diversity of styles of play is partially due to the varying interpretations of the laws of the game. ^[5] Perhaps the greatest influence on styles of play is the playing environment which can vary according to the local climate.

The International Rugby Board (IRB), founded in 1886, governs the sport worldwide and also publishes the game's laws and rankings. The International Rugby Board (IRB is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of Rugby union, and previously for Rugby football. Uses of the rankings The rankings are used by the IRB to rank the progression and current ability of the national rugby union teams of its member nations but the data There are currently 95 full members and eight associate member countries. According to IRB figures, rugby union is played in over 100 countries spanning six continents by men and women of all ages. The IRB controls the Rugby World Cup, the Women's Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Sevens, IRB Sevens World Series, Junior World Championship, Junior World Trophy and the Super Cup. The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby union competition The Rugby World Cup Sevens is the world's premier international contest in the Sevens version of Rugby union, first held in Scotland in 1993 and held every The IRB Junior World Championship is an international Rugby union competition The IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy is a second tier international rugby union competition A Super Cup is a competition usually but not exclusively in football, which often forms the curtain-raiser to a season It holds votes to decide where all of these events shall be held, except in the case of the Sevens World Series. For that competition, the IRB contracts with several national unions to hold individual events.

Records of women's rugby go back over 100 years - the first mentions of the game being in New Zealand in 1891 and France ten years later. In the past 30 years, however, the game has expanded massively and (according to the RFU) it is now played in over 80 countries worldwide.

Major international competitions

For more details on this topic, see List of rugby union competitions. The following is a list of notable Rugby union competitions that are still currently in existence

The most important tournament in rugby union is the Rugby World Cup, a men's tournament that takes place every four years between the elite national rugby union teams. The Rugby World Cup is the premier international Rugby union competition South Africa are the current world champions, winning the 2007 tournament held in France. The South Africa national Rugby union team (commonly referred to as the Springboks in English Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko The 2007 Rugby World Cup was the sixth Rugby World Cup, a quadrennial international Rugby union world championship inaugurated in 1987. They beat England, who were attempting to become the first country to retain the title, having won it in 2003. The fact that four different countries have won the World Cup confirms the level of competition in the tournament, creating intense interest from supporters, the media and major sponsors. Major international competitions in the northern and southern hemisphere are the Six Nations Championship and the Tri Nations Series, respectively. The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international The Tri Nations is an annual international Rugby union series held between the national teams of Australia (the Wallabies) New Zealand (the

The Six Nations is an annual competition involving northern hemisphere teams England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The Six Nations Championship (referred to as RBS 6 Nations for sponsorship reasons known before 2000 as the Five Nations Championship, is an annual international The England national rugby union team represents England in Rugby union. The France national rugby union team represents France in Rugby union. The Ireland rugby union team represents the island of Ireland in Rugby union, which is a popular sport throughout both the Republic of Ireland and For the rugby sevens side see Italian national rugby union team (sevens The Italy national rugby union team represent the nation of The Scotland national rugby union team represent Scotland in international Rugby union. The Wales national rugby union team represent Wales in international Each country plays the other five once, the modern tournament traces its roots to the first ever international game, when England lost by one goal to Scotland at Inverleith Park, adjacent to Raeburn Place, Edinburgh in 1871. In the 1880s, Wales and Ireland joined to create the Home International Championships. France joined the tournament in the 1900s and in 1910 the term Five Nations first appeared. However, the Home Nations (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) excluded France in 1931 amid a run of poor results, allegations of professionalism (rugby union was officially amateur until 1995) and concerns over on-field violence. "Home nation" (common noun redirects here home nation is also used to refer to the host country of Multi-sport events (eg France then rejoined in 1939-1940, though World War II halted proceedings for a further eight years. World War II, or the Second World War, (often abbreviated WWII) was a global military conflict which involved a majority of the world's nations, including France has played in all the tournaments since WWII, the first one of which was played in 1947. In 2000, Italy became the sixth nation in the contest. Argentina have long been rumoured to be interested in joining the 6 Nations but their geographical location and various other factors combine to make it look extremely unlikely, in the near future anyway. Since their strong performances in the 2007 World Cup a number of commentators believe they should join the Tri-Nations with New Zealand, Australia and World Cup champions South Africa.

The Tri Nations is an annual international rugby union series held between the southern hemisphere teams of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. The Australian national rugby union team is the representative side of Australia in Rugby union. The All Blacks are New Zealand's national team in Rugby union, the country's National sport. The South Africa national Rugby union team (commonly referred to as the Springboks in English Springbokke in Afrikaans and Amabokoboko The series was initially played on a home and away basis with the three nations playing each other twice. In 2006 a new system was introduced where each nation plays the others three times rather than two. In 2007 the teams played each other only twice, as it was a World Cup year. The IRB had been brokering a deal which could have seen Argentina admitted to the competition in 2008,^[6] but it was later confirmed that the Tri Nations would not be expanded until at least 2010. The Argentina national rugby team, nicknamed Los Pumas, represents Argentina in international Rugby union matches ^[7] Amidst all the rugby union competitions are also the autumn and summer Tests, which take place between September to December and June to August. These are played by the major rugby union nations on a home or away basis.

Rugby union had a brief stint at the Olympic Games. The Olympic Games is an international Multi-sport event established for both summer and winter games As per Olympic rules, the nations of Scotland, Wales and England were not allowed to play separately as they are not sovereign states.

Women's Rugby

Women's International Rugby began in 1982. Over six hundred women's internationals have now been played by over forty different nations. As well as the women's World Cup event (which takes place every four years), there are also other regular tournaments, including a Six Nations run in parallel to the men's competition.

In the British military

The earliest record of rugby being played in the Army was during the Crimean War (1854-56). The Crimean War, also known in Russia as the Eastern War (Восточная война Vostochnaya Vojna) (March 1854–February 1856 was fought In its early days rugby was very much the preserve of the officers; it was not until the early 1870s that the game became inclusive of all ranks.

The Royal Navy and in particular the British Army did much to spread rugby worldwide as it did for two other sports of English origin; cricket and football. The Royal Navy of the United Kingdom is the oldest of the British armed services (and is therefore known as the Senior Service) The British Army is the land armed forces branch of the British Armed Forces. Cricket is a bat-and-ball team Sport that originated in England and is now played in more than 100 countries Football is the word given to a number of similar Team sports all of which involve (to varying degrees kicking a Ball with the foot in an attempt to score a Army regiments stationed throughout the British Empire had regimental teams who played locally. The British Empire was the largest empire in history and for over a century was the foremost global power. Whilst serving in India the 3rd (East Kent) Regiment (The Buffs) and the 62nd (Wiltshire) Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's) both had a hand in the conception of the Calcutta Cup, the oldest trophy in the history of international rugby. The Buffs (Royal East Kent Regiment had a history dating back to 1572 and was one of the oldest Regiments in the British Army being the 3rd Regiment of Foot The Wiltshire Regiment (Duke of Edinburgh's was an Infantry Regiment of the line in the British Army, formed in 1881 by the amalgamation of the 62nd The Calcutta Cup is a Rugby union Trophy awarded to the winner of the annual Six Nations Championship match between England and Scotland

The Army Navy Match, which is currently played at Twickenham each year was first played in 1878, but did not become an annual event until 1909. The Army Navy Match is the annual rugby union match played between the senior XV teams of the Royal Navy and British Army. Twickenham Stadium (usually known as just Twickenham or Twickers) is a Stadium located in Twickenham, in the London Borough of Richmond

In 1905 the Royal Navy Rugby Union (RNRU) was formed and the Army Rugby Union the following year (1906), both service unions were affiliated to the Rugby Football Union (RFU) on their formation. The Army Rugby Union ( ARU) was formed on 31st December 1906 and marked the fulfilment of Lieutenant JEC ‘Birdie’ Partridge’s

Women's rugby was introduced into the British Armed Services in the early 1990s.

Variants

There are two major variants:

• Touch rugby, a version of rugby in which 'tackles' are made simply by touching an opponent, is gaining popularity. This article deals with several different games all of which are referred to as touch rugby
• Rugby Sevens (invented in Melrose, Scotland); there are a number of Sevens tournaments throughout the world, and they frequently allow smaller nations to shine, which do not do so well at 15-a-side.

See also

• List of rugby union terms
• List of notable rugby union footballers in alphabetical order
• List of international rugby union teams
• Women's International Rugby
• International Rugby Hall of Fame
• Rugby union at the Summer Olympics
• Rugby Sevens
• Touch rugby
• Comparison of rugby league and rugby union
• Stellenbosch Laws

Bibliography

• Laws of the Game Rugby Union (pdf). Rugby union is a team sport played between two teams of fifteen players This is a list of some notable Rugby union players For a list of players sorted by country see List of footballers (Rugby Union by country. The following is a list of international Rugby union teams The International Rugby Hall of Fame (IRHOF is a Hall of fame for Rugby union. Rugby union has been a men's medal sport at the modern Summer Olympic Games, being played at four of the first seven competitions This article deals with several different games all of which are referred to as touch rugby A comparison of Rugby league and Rugby union is possible because of the games' similarities and shared origins irb. com (2007). Retrieved on 2008-01-02. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire.
• Provisions Relating to Players Dress (pdf). irb. com (2007-07-22). Year 2007 ( MMVII) was a Common year starting on Monday of the Gregorian calendar in the 21st century. Events 1099 - First Crusade: Godfrey of Bouillon is elected the first Defender of the Holy Sepulchre of The Kingdom of Retrieved on 2008-01-02. 2008 ( MMVIII) is the current year in accordance with the Gregorian calendar, a Leap year that started on Tuesday of the Common Events 366 - The Alamanni cross the frozen Rhine River in large numbers invading the Roman Empire.

References

• Scrum.com Rugby guide
• Rugby15.co.uk RFU Laws

External links

Official

• International Rugby Board
• Rugby World Cup
• British Army Rugby Union
• A miniature World of Rugby

News

• RugbyUnionRules covers the latest news on a wide range of Rugby Topics
• Prime Rugby is a Rugby News website covering all major rugby tournaments
• The Rugby Forum is the largest independent rugby discussion site on the internet
• FOXSPORTS.com.au |Rugby
• Rugby Heaven world rugby from an Australian viewpoint
• BBC SPORT |Rugby union
• The Rugby World Cup Unofficial RWC news & results
• RugbyRugby.com World rugby news
• TriNationsweb.com TriNations Rugby union news and results
• Planet Rugby for news on rugby union
• Scrum.com Rugby union news and results
• World cup web.com Rugby world cup news and results
• Super14.com Super 14 Rugby union website includes news and results
• Gwlad Rugby Welsh Rugby union website includes news and discussion
• [1] site concentrating on the upcoming evolution of rugby in America

Resources

• MediaZone Rugby Full length Live and On Demand coverage of Super 14, June Tours, Tri Nations, Currie Cup, Air NZ Cup and more.
• Rugby Data Statistics on International Rugby Union games
• Rugby Links WorldWide Rugby Directory Resources Database
• Rugby union phrase guide
• Rugbydump.com Rugby videos, tackles, big hits, great tries and more
• RUGBYwp.com
• Crouch and Hold Rugby Interactive Coaching, Training Videos, and more
• Rugble.com Search the world of rugby.

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