The traditional game of Rugby Union is played by 2 teams of 15 players. The aim of each team is to gain possession of the ball, take it into opposition territory and to place it in the in-goal area (end zone). This results in a Try (touchdown) and scores the team 5 points. Both teams should aim to score as many points as possible, by carrying, passing and kicking the ball. A conversion (field goal) is worth 2 points and a penalty, 3 points.

The game was ‘invented’ in 1823, in England, when William Webb Ellis a young student of Rugby School, from which the game took its name, “with fine disregard for the rules of football (soccer) picked up the ball and ran with it”. American Football later emerged from rugby in the 1880’s. Rugby is now played in over 120 countries throughout the world, with over 3 million registered players. A global TV audience of over 4 billion people watched the last Rugby World Cup in France 2007 making it the third biggest sporting event on the planet, and this success on the global stage is only possible because of the thriving school, university and club competitions in England and around the world.

One of the reasons for rugby’s rapid growth is that regardless of size, shape, age or gender, there is a type of rugby and a level of competition that is right for almost everyone. The attractions of the game to many participants are the values of Rugby, which come from its rich history, traditions, camaraderie and community involvement with the sport. While the conventional 15-a-side version of the sport makes the headlines, Sevens, Touch and Beach rugby are all variants of the game that are thriving and Sevens rugby is now included in the Olympic Games.