Rugby, or rather Rugby Football, is a fascinating sport with a fascinating history. On the face of it, Rugby Union and Rugby League seem like similar sports but they are also polar opposites in many other ways.
We thought we would dedicate this article to examining the compelling story of Rugby League vs Rugby Union – looking at the history of the sports, as well as looking at the differences between the two games and their popularity around the world.
The History of Rugby Football
It is said that the game of Rugby originated at the Rugby School, in Warwickshire, when a pupil, William Webb Ellis, decided to pick up the ball during a game of football. Whether that is true or not, that is where the name ‘Rugby’ comes from, and the Rugby World Cup trophy is named after Webb Ellis.
The game was mainly played between different private schools back then – often with the rules being established right before each match. Then, in 1871, the Rugby Football Union was formed and the first international match was played. Rugby Football had also spread to Australia and New Zealand by this point.
In 1892, some Rugby clubs were accused of professionalism, when they paid their players compensation for missing work (up to six shillings), when paying your players was not allowed within the rules of the game. This minor dispute is ultimately what split Rugby Football into two games: Rugby Union and Rugby League.
The group that would become Rugby Union authorities thought that Rugby should remain an amateur game, whereas a number of other clubs formed the Northern Rugby Football Union (which would later become the Rugby Football League), and enabled them to pay players.
This power struggle between the two groups would send the sports off in completely different directions. Rugby League set about trying to make it a faster game, with more excitement and skill. Rugby Union saw the opportunity to play more international matches to grow the game.
Key differences between Rugby Union and Rugby League
So, this squabble aside, what are the main differences between the two codes today?
Number of players
There are 15 Rugby Union players on each team, whereas there are 13 in Rugby League. You are allowed more substitutions in Rugby League, though – 10 versus 8 in Rugby Union.
Points
You get more points for a try in Rugby Union, with 5 as opposed to the 4 you get in Rugby League. In both sports a conversion is worth 2 points.
Balls
While being similar sizes, Rugby League balls have more pointed edges than those of Rugby Union.
Possession
When a player is tackled in Rugby League, they have to then stand up with the ball between their legs and pass to a teammate for the match to restart. When a team is tackled six times in Rugby League, they hand over possession, whereas there are no limits like that in a Rugby Union match.
Popularity of Rugby Union and Rugby League
The two forms of Rugby have gone in completely different directions in terms of how they present themselves to the world. Rugby Union is generally seen as the ‘posh’ sport, while Rugby League is more working class. In fact, the popularity of Rugby Union around the world has been spread by the ruling classes, both in terms of private education and the military – Rugby League was even banned from being played in the British Armed Forces until the 1980s!
Rugby League popularity, on the other hand, is largely confined to the North of England and northern Australia. Despite the Rugby League World Cup running since 1954, only three different countries have ever won it: Britain, Australia and New Zealand (one win in 2008).
As such England have enjoyed much more success than the other home nations in Rugby League, but in Rugby Union, Wales, Scotland and Ireland have all had their successes – as seen in the Six Nations.
How to get tickets for Rugby League and Rugby Union matches
Whether you want to watch Rugby Union or Rugby League, we can help you out. We offer Match Break packages for both sports and a variety of competitions, from the Rugby World Cup to Club Rugby League fixtures. We can help you out with travel, ticket and accommodation packages to ensure that you have the best, hassle-free experience.
If you would like to purchase any of our packages, call us now on 0333 2309115 or contact us.
You might also like
More from Rugby
A look ahead to the 2023 Rugby World Cup
It’s the greatest and grandest stage in Rugby and come September, the eyes of the world will turn sharply to France for two whole months of action, passion and pure, unfiltered drama.
How to get Rugby World Cup tickets
The interest it has generated is huge so we thought it would be a good idea to have a look at the various options you have to get tickets for the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
Kick-Off your Scottish Rugby experience!
Our Scotland Rugby match break experience allows you to soak in the breath-taking attractions that the beautiful country has to offer.
