Rugby Rules Explained
for Beginners

Rugby Union has 15 players per side. Rugby League has 13. Each position has a specific role — forwards do the physical grunt work at set pieces while backs use speed and skill to attack wide.

Both formats play two 40-minute halves (80 minutes total). Clocks stop only in select competitions; in most matches the clock runs continuously, with referees adding injury time.

To score more points than the opposition by carrying, passing, or kicking the ball over the opponent's try line or between their posts — while stopping the opposition from doing the same.

Awarded when a player grounds the ball (presses it down with hand, arm or body) over the opponent's try line (in-goal area). It's the most valuable single score and the primary attacking objective.

After a try, the scoring team kicks at goal from a line parallel to where the try was grounded. The ball must pass between the posts and above the crossbar. Teams choose between a place kick or drop kick.

When the opposition commits a penalty offence, the non-offending team may attempt a kick at goal from the spot of the infringement. The kicker has the option to kick for goal, kick to touch, or take a tap kick instead.

A player drops the ball onto the ground and kicks it as it bounces. If it passes through the posts it scores. Drop goals are a tactical weapon in Union but rarely used in League because they're worth only 1 point.

Tighthead and loosehead props form the outer columns of the scrum. They are typically the heaviest players, providing power and stability. They also carry in open play and compete at the breakdown.

Positioned in the middle of the front row, the hooker hooks the ball back with their foot in the scrum. Hookers also throw the ball in at lineouts, making accuracy essential.

Usually the tallest players on the pitch. Locks provide the main pushing force in scrums and are the primary lineout jumpers. They are big ball-carriers and fierce tacklers.

Flankers bind on the sides of the scrum and are first to the breakdown. Number 8 controls the ball at the base of the scrum. The back row are the most athletic forwards — linking defence with attack.

The scrum-half feeds the scrum and distributes from rucks and mauls. They are the connection between forwards and backs and need sharp passing, quick decision-making, and a strong boot.

Often the team's primary decision-maker and kicker. The fly-half receives from the scrum-half and chooses whether to run, pass wide, kick for territory, or attempt a penalty or drop goal.

Inside centre (12) links with the fly-half; outside centre (13) is more of a finisher. Centres need power to break tackles and the skill to create chances for their wingers.

Typically the fastest players on the pitch. Wingers receive the ball on the outside edge and sprint for the corner. They also have an important role in back-field defence and kicking contests.

Plays deep behind the defensive line, fielding opposition kicks and joining the attacking line as an extra player. A great full-back must be safe under the high ball and a dangerous counter-attacker.

A tackle occurs when one or more defenders bring the ball-carrier to the ground. The tackle must be below the line of the shoulders. High tackles (above the shoulders) are dangerous and penalised. A player cannot be tackled without the ball.

When a tackled player goes to ground in Union, both teams compete for the ball. A ruck forms when at least one player from each side is on their feet, in contact, over the ball. Players must stay on their feet and cannot use their hands in the ruck — they drive opponents off the ball with their bodies.

A maul forms when a ball-carrier is held but not taken to the ground, and at least one player from each side is bound to them. Teams can drive a maul forward with the ball kept off the ground. If the maul stops moving, the referee awards a scrum.

Rugby League has a simpler system. After a tackle, play is restarted with a play-the-ball: the tackled player rolls the ball back with their foot and a teammate picks it up (the dummy-half). Each team gets six tackles before surrendering possession; on the sixth tackle, they normally kick for territory.

Defending players must retreat behind the hindmost foot of their team in a ruck (Union) or 10 metres from the play-the-ball (League). Players who are offside cannot participate in play and will concede a penalty.

A scrum is awarded for minor infringements (forward passes, knock-ons). Eight forwards from each side bind together in three rows and engage against each other. The scrum-half feeds the ball in; the hooker strikes for it; the winning team drives forward and the scrum-half retrieves the ball.

Scrums are intensely physical. Collapse can be accidental or deliberate (an illegal tactic to disrupt the opposition). Referees award penalties for intentional or dangerous collapse. Repeated scrum offending leads to yellow cards.

When the ball goes into touch (out of bounds), play restarts with a lineout. Forwards from both teams line up perpendicular to the touchline; the hooker throws the ball straight down the middle. Teammates lift a jumper to win the ball. The throwing team chooses how many players participate and calls coded moves.

A knock-on is called when a player loses or knocks the ball forward with their hand or arm and the ball hits the ground or another player. This awards the opposition a scrum. If it's intentional, it may result in a penalty.

No — this is one of rugby's fundamental rules. Passes must always go sideways or backwards relative to the passer's position. Only kicks can move the ball forward legally (followed by an onside chase).

The match begins with a kick-off from the halfway line. The kicking team must kick the ball at least 10 metres forward; the receiving team must allow it to travel 10 metres. After half-time, the other team kicks off.

A yellow card means a player is temporarily sent to the sin bin for 10 minutes. A red card means permanent dismissal — their team plays short for the rest of the match. Both are for foul play, dangerous tackles, or repeated offending.

Professional matches use a TMO — a video official who reviews decisions on a screen. Referees can ask the TMO to check whether a try was scored correctly, if foul play occurred, or if a kick went over. The on-field referee always makes the final call.

If the non-offending team gains a clear advantage after an infringement, the referee allows play to continue rather than stopping immediately. If no advantage materialises, the referee brings play back to the original offence. This keeps the game flowing.

The team with the most points at full time wins. In league competitions, a bonus point system often applies in Union (4 tries = bonus point; losing by 7 or fewer = losing bonus point). In knockout matches, drawn games go to extra time and sometimes a kicking competition (drop-kick shootout).

Union: 15 players | League: 13 players. Union removes two players from the back row (one flanker and one back-row position is merged), altering the shape of the pack.

Union: Players compete for the ball at the ruck or maul — possession is contested. League: Play-the-ball restarts automatically — possession is retained, but limited to six tackles.

Union: Scrums are heavily contested set pieces that can shift the momentum of a match. League: Scrums are largely uncontested formalities used as a restart method.

Union: Lineouts are complex, tactical set pieces with coded calls and lifted jumpers. League: Does not use lineouts — when the ball goes out of bounds, a scrum or tap restart is used instead.

Union: Worth 3 points — a significant tactical option in close games. League: Worth only 1 point — rarely attempted.

Union: Premiership (England), URC (Pro Rugby), Top 14 (France), Super Rugby (Southern Hemisphere), plus the Six Nations and Rugby World Cup. League: Super League (UK), NRL (Australia/New Zealand), plus the Rugby League World Cup.

The area behind the try line where tries are scored. It is bounded by the try line, the dead-ball line, and the in-goal touch lines.

When the ball or ball-carrier goes out of the field of play (over the sidelines). Restarts with a lineout (Union) or scrum/tap (League).

A low kick that bounces along the ground, often used to put the ball behind a defensive line for a winger or full-back to chase.

A high kick intended to come down near the opposition — the kicking team charges forward to compete for the ball in the air or on landing.

In League, the player who picks up the ball after a play-the-ball. They are often the hooker and act as the key distributor at the restart.

An informal term for a poorly timed pass that puts the receiver in immediate danger of a tackle — often arriving just as the defender arrives too.

The moment after a tackle where both teams compete for possession. This is where rucks and mauls form.

Television Match Official — the video referee used in professional matches to review key decisions.

The area on the side of the pitch where a yellow-carded player must wait for 10 minutes before rejoining the game.

An imaginary line across the pitch at the point of a breakdown. Moving the ball past this line means the attacking team has made territorial progress.