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Tried and Tested

Rugby is played in over 120 countries throughout the world by men and women of all ages, races and classes - not bad for a game that started life as a variation of football. 

While the origins of the game can be traced back to ancient Greece, the sport as we know it was created in England in 1823, by William Webb Ellis and in 1871 the first Rugby Union was founded in London and firm rules of the game were established. But that wasn't to last.

A game of two.......games

Today, rugby exists in two variations - league and union - and never the twain shall meet. At least that is how strongly most people feel about it, choosing to become a fan or participant in either one or the other.

Which is the more exciting, more demanding and better supported has been hotly contested and will continue to be for years to come.

Here are the basics.

The aim of both games is very simple - use the ball to score more points than the other team. Players can run with the ball, kick it and pass it - the only stipulation is the ball must not be passed forwards.

Rugby is a contact sport, so you can tackle an opponent in order to get the ball, as long as you stay within the rules. Both games take place over two 40 minute halves and that is where the similarities end.

Players and the field of play

A maximum of 15 players can play rugby union at any one time whereas rugby league permits just 13 players. The field in which they play on also differs somewhat, with a rugby league field between 112 and 122 metres long by 68 metres wide and a rugby union field a maximum of 144 metres long by 70 metres wide. There are distinct differences in the markings on the pitch too.

Advancing the ball

Rugby league has a six-tackle rule whereby the team in possession of the ball has a set of six tackles before having to hand over possession. Play stops when the player in possession of the ball is tackled; play restarts with a ‘play-the-ball' by the team that were previously defending.

Rugby union is quite different. A team in possession does not need to surrender possession whilst they are able to keep the ball. Whilst rugby league players are not allowed to try to dispossess the ball carrier between tackles, unless the tackle committed is a one on one tackle; rugby union players are allowed to win possession during open play.

Scoring

The methods of scoring in both union and league are the same, but there are significant differences in the points awarded:

  • A try - awarded for touching the ball down in your opponent's goal area
  • A conversion - a successful kick through the goalposts after a try
  • A goal kick - a penalty kick or drop goal through the posts

The try is the main way of scoring in both games, but while a try is worth 5 points in rugby union it is only worth 4 points in rugby league. In both games, a conversion following a try is worth 2 points. Other differences are in union a drop goal is worth 3 points and 1 point in league and a penalty goal is worth 3 points in union and 2 points in league.

The main reason for the sport going in two different directions was the desire of some and the opposition of others to players becoming professional. 

This resulted in the creation of the league game in the early 1900's for which players would be paid for their, whilst union players would not become fulltime professionals until 1995. 

Through the years rugby has evolved, from the perspective of both players and spectators, in order to increase the appeal and media interest in the game, and progress has been very successful in this respect.

Health Benefits

If you can manage to avoid the chance of a broken nose, jaw, cheek, arm and collar bone, not to mention the possibility of dislocation or muscle tears then the sport of rugby actually provides many health benefits such as:

  • Cardiovascular fitness and endurance
  • Strength in upper and lower body
  • Agility
  • Speed
  • Ball-handling and kicking skills.
  • Team skills
  • Social interaction
  • Communication skills
  • Self-discipline.

Equipment

As with any sport there is a certain amount of essential specialist equipment involved, but due to the physical nature of the game it is advisable to wear adequate protective equipment too.

Head protection - Headgear is usually made from lightweight materials capable of withstanding serious impact. They're mainly used by front row forwards to prevent blows to the head and damage to their ears while in scrums.

Gum shield - Regarded as the most important piece of equipment a rugby player should own. The gum shield not only protects your teeth and gums, it can reduce damage around the jaw and your chances of getting concussed.

Boots - Traditional rugby boots are very similar to football boots except for a high cut designed to give extra support to the ankle. However, more and more players prefer to use football style boots, especially backs, who favour the low cut for extra mobility.

To find out more about rugby league visit www.therfl.co.uk.

Or if Union is your game see www.rfu.com.

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