Beginners Guide to Rugby

Rugby can be quite complicated when you're a newcomer to the game, but with the knowledge of a few basics, you'll soon be joining in with the crowd shouting instructions to your team - and the ref!

The Aim of the Game!
Rugby union pits two teams of 15 players, divided into backs and forwards, against each other, each vying to score more points than the other. Unremarkably, the team scoring the most points wins the match! Players advance the ball by running with it or kicking it. When passing the ball, they can only pass the ball backwards! (If they make a forward pass or 'knock on', when they knock the ball forwards with their hands, even if accidental).

The Team
A rugby team is made up of 15 players; eight forwards, who concentrate on winning possession of the ball, and seven backs, whose main job it is to move the ball towards the opposition try line.

The Team
The game lasts for 80 minutes, excluding stoppages, and therefore each half consists of two halves of 40 minutes, with an interval of 15 minutes for half time.

Try - 5 points
A try is scored by grounding the ball in the opposition goal area. The ball can be placed on the try line (in line with the posts) or beyond, but no further than the dead ball line.

Conversion - 2 points
Every try is further rewarded with a kick at goal, and can increase the score by another two points. The kick is taken from a point level with where the try occurred.

Penalty - 3 points
A penalty kick is awarded against the offending team following an infringement of the rules. There is also the option of for a scrum, in which case the team awarded the penalty have the put-in.

Drop Goal - 3 points
A player can, at any time during open play, attempt one of these by dropping the ball onto the ground and kicking just as it bounces. The ball must pass through the posts without bouncing - just like Jonny Wilkinson in the 2003 World Cup Final!

The Scrum
The eight forwards from each team form a scrum and the scrum half must put the ball into the scrum in a straight line between the two front rows. The ball is then channelled back through the scrum to the No. 8's feet from where the ball can then be picked up.

The Lineout
If the ball goes 'into touch' during the normal course of play, play is re-started with a line-out - the equivalent of a throw-in in football. The throw is taken by the team which did not kick the ball into touch in the first place. The ball is thrown in by the Hooker (no. 2) and must be thrown straight between the two lines of players. Once the ball has been thrown, the two sets of forwards jump and try to get possession of the ball.

Next Home Match

Online Shop