Welcome to the thrilling world of rugby matches! Rugby is a fast-paced, high-energy sport that has captured the hearts of millions of fans around the globe. From club matches to international competitions, rugby matches come in all shapes and sizes. But what exactly are rugby matches called? In this article, we’ll explore the different types of rugby matches and take a closer look at the world of rugby, from the pitch to the stands. So, grab a pint and get ready to learn about the exciting world of rugby matches!
Understanding Rugby Matches
The Basics of Rugby
History of Rugby
Rugby is a sport that originated in England in the early 19th century. It was developed from the game of football, which was played at the time at schools such as Rugby School in Warwickshire. The first official rules of rugby were drawn up in 1845, and the sport began to spread throughout the world.
Rugby Football Union (RFU)
The Rugby Football Union (RFU) is the governing body for rugby union in England. It was founded in 1871, and its headquarters are located in Twickenham, London. The RFU is responsible for organizing and administering rugby union matches and competitions in England, as well as selecting the national team.
World Rugby
World Rugby is the international governing body for rugby union. It was founded in 1886, and its headquarters are located in Dublin, Ireland. World Rugby is responsible for organizing and administering international rugby union competitions, including the Rugby World Cup, as well as promoting the sport and its values around the world.
Rugby Matches Around the World
Rugby union is played in many countries around the world, and there are numerous competitions and tournaments at both the club and international levels. Some of the most prominent rugby union competitions include the Six Nations Championship, which is played between the national teams of England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales, and the Rugby World Cup, which is held every four years and features teams from all over the world.
International Rugby Board (IRB)
The International Rugby Board (IRB) is the former name of World Rugby, and it was founded in 1886. The IRB was responsible for overseeing the development of rugby union around the world, and it organized various international competitions, including the Rugby World Cup. In 2014, the IRB rebranded itself as World Rugby.
Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is the most prestigious international rugby union competition. It is held every four years, and it features teams from all over the world. The first Rugby World Cup was held in 1987, and it was won by New Zealand. Since then, the tournament has been held six times, and it has grown in popularity and significance. The most recent Rugby World Cup was held in Japan in 2019, and it was won by South Africa.
Rugby Match Formats
Sevens Rugby
Sevens rugby is a variant of rugby union that is played with seven players on each team, instead of the usual 15. The game is typically shorter in duration, with each half lasting only seven minutes, and the rules are slightly different from those of traditional rugby union.
Olympics and Sevens Rugby
Sevens rugby made its debut at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where it was played in a tournament format. The tournament featured 12 teams, and was won by Fiji, who defeated Great Britain in the final. The inclusion of sevens rugby in the Olympics has helped to increase its popularity and visibility, particularly in countries where rugby is not as widely played.
Sevens Rugby Tournaments
There are several sevens rugby tournaments held throughout the year, including the HSBC Sevens World Series, which is a series of seven tournaments held in different countries around the world. Other notable tournaments include the USA Sevens, the Hong Kong Sevens, and the Singapore Sevens.
Sevens Rugby Teams
There are several national sevens rugby teams, including those of Fiji, New Zealand, and South Africa, which have been particularly successful in international competitions. There are also several professional sevens rugby teams, such as the New Zealand All Blacks Sevens and the Fiji Sevens, which compete in various tournaments around the world.
Rugby Union
Rugby union is the most popular and widely played form of rugby, and is played with 15 players on each team. The game is played on a rectangular field, with the objective being to score points by either scoring tries or kicking goals.
Laws of Rugby Union
The laws of rugby union govern the way the game is played, and are designed to ensure fair play and safety for all players. Some of the key laws include the fact that players may only pass the ball laterally or backwards, and that the ball must be kicked out of play when it goes out of bounds.
Rugby Union Teams
There are several rugby union teams around the world, including national teams and professional clubs. Some of the most successful national teams include New Zealand, Australia, and South Africa, while some of the most successful professional clubs include the New Zealand All Blacks and the British and Irish Lions.
Rugby Union Tournaments
There are several rugby union tournaments held throughout the year, including the Rugby World Cup, which is held every four years and features teams from around the world. Other notable tournaments include the Six Nations Championship, which features teams from England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy, and the Rugby Championship, which features teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina.
Rugby Matches in Clubs and Colleges
Club Rugby
Club rugby refers to the amateur and professional level of rugby played in various countries around the world. In this section, we will take a closer look at the Premiership Rugby, the National Rugby Leagues, and College Rugby.
Premiership Rugby
The Premiership Rugby is the top professional rugby league in England. It was established in 1987 and consists of 12 teams that compete against each other throughout the season. The teams are divided into two groups, with six teams in each group. The regular season runs from September to May, with each team playing a total of 22 matches.
Teams and Stadiums
The 12 teams in the Premiership Rugby are:
- Bath Rugby
- Bristol Bears
- Exeter Chiefs
- Gloucester Rugby
- Harlequins
- Leicester Tigers
- Northampton Saints
- Sale Sharks
- Saracens
- Wasps
- Worcester Warriors
Each team plays its home matches at a different stadium throughout the country. Some of the most popular stadiums include Twickenham Stadium in London, which is the largest rugby stadium in the world, and the Ricoh Arena in Coventry.
Fixtures and Results
The fixtures for each round of the Premiership Rugby season are announced at the beginning of the season. Each team plays every other team twice, once at home and once away. The matches are typically played on Fridays, Saturdays, and Sundays.
Results for each match are recorded and can be found on the official Premiership Rugby website or through various sports news outlets.
Standings and Playoffs
At the end of the regular season, the top six teams qualify for the playoffs. The teams are seeded based on their final position in the standings. The playoffs consist of two semi-final matches and a final match, with the winner of the final match being crowned the Premiership Rugby champion.
National Rugby Leagues
National Rugby Leagues are found in various countries around the world, including France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. These leagues are made up of professional and amateur teams that compete against each other throughout the season.
France
The top professional rugby league in France is the Top 14. It was established in 1892 and consists of 14 teams that compete against each other throughout the season. The regular season runs from August to June, with each team playing a total of 26 matches.
Ireland
The top professional rugby league in Ireland is the United Rugby Championship (URC). It was established in 2010 and consists of four South African teams, two Irish teams, and two Italian teams. The regular season runs from August to May, with each team playing a total of 16 matches.
Italy
The top professional rugby league in Italy is the Guinness Pro14. It was established in 2010 and consists of four Irish teams, two Italian teams, two Scottish teams, and two Welsh teams. The regular season runs from September to May, with each team playing a total of 21 matches.
Scotland
The top professional rugby league in Scotland is the Scottish Premiership. It was established in 1971 and consists of six teams that compete against each other throughout the season. The regular season runs from September to May, with each team playing a total of 18 matches.
Wales
The top professional rugby league in Wales is the Welsh Premiership. It was established in 2003 and consists of 12 teams that compete against each other throughout the season. The regular season runs from September to May, with each team playing a total of 22 matches.
College Rugby
College rugby is played at various universities and colleges throughout the world. In the United States, college rugby is governed by the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) and the Collegiate Rugby Championship (CRC).
National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA)
The NCAA is the governing body for college sports in the United States. College rugby is played at various divisions, with Division I being the highest level of competition. The regular season runs from September to November, with
Professional Rugby Leagues
Professional rugby leagues have taken the sport to new heights, providing opportunities for elite players to compete at the highest level. In this section, we will explore some of the most prominent professional rugby leagues and their unique features.
Major League Rugby (MLR)
The Major League Rugby (MLR) is a professional rugby league in the United States, featuring 12 teams from different parts of the country. The league is known for its high-quality rugby, attracting top talent from around the world. The teams compete against each other in a round-robin format, with the top four teams advancing to the playoffs.
Teams and Stadiums
The MLR features 12 teams, including:
- Austin Elite Rugby
- Colorado Rapids Rugby
- Houston SaberCats
- Los Angeles Giltinis
- New England Free Jacks
- New York City Rugby
- NOLA Gold
- San Diego Legion
- Seattle Seawolves
- Toronto Arrows
The teams compete in various stadiums across the United States, providing a unique experience for fans and players alike.
Schedule and Standings
The MLR season typically runs from January to June, with each team playing 16 regular-season matches. The standings are determined by the number of points earned during the regular season, with bonus points awarded for tries scored and losses by seven points or fewer.
Playoffs and Finals
The top four teams in the regular season qualify for the MLR playoffs, which are held in June. The playoffs culminate in the MLR Championship Game, where the top two teams compete for the title.
Super Rugby
Super Rugby is a professional rugby union competition that involves teams from Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, and Japan. The competition is known for its high-intensity matches and world-class players.
Super Rugby features 15 teams, including:
- Auckland Blues
- Canterbury Crusaders
- Queensland Reds
- New South Wales Waratahs
- Victoria Rebels
- Western Force
- South Africa teams: Bulls, Lions, Sharks, Stormers, Cheetahs, and Jaguares
- Argentine teams: Jaguares, Cordoba Athletic Club, and San Isidro Club
- Japanese teams: Sungoliath and Nippon Steel
The teams compete in various stadiums across Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Japan.
Conferences and Schedule
Super Rugby is divided into three conferences: Australian, New Zealand, and South African. Each team plays 16 regular-season matches, with four matches against each conference opponent.
The top six teams from each conference qualify for the Super Rugby playoffs, which are held in May and June. The playoffs culminate in the Super Rugby Final, where the two remaining teams compete for the title.
European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR)
The European Professional Club Rugby (EPCR) is a professional rugby union competition that involves teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. The competition is known for its high-quality rugby and world-class players.
Challenge Cup
The Challenge Cup is a knockout competition that involves teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. The competition is open to teams that do not qualify for the Champions Cup.
Champions Cup
The Champions Cup is a knockout competition that involves the top teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales. The competition is considered the pinnacle of European club rugby.
The teams competing in the Champions Cup include:
- England: Exeter Chiefs, Leicester Tigers, Bath
International Rugby Matches
Rugby World Cup
History of the Rugby World Cup
The Rugby World Cup is an international rugby union competition that takes place every four years. The first Rugby World Cup was held in 1987, and since then, it has become one of the most prestigious and highly anticipated events in the world of rugby. The tournament features teams from all over the world, with the top teams in the world battling it out for the coveted Webb Ellis Cup.
Winners and Records
New Zealand has been the most successful team in the history of the Rugby World Cup, having won the tournament three times. They won the first Rugby World Cup in 1987, and then went on to win again in 2011 and 2015. Australia and South Africa have also won the tournament twice each, while England and France have won it once each.
Venues and Attendances
The Rugby World Cup has been held in various countries around the world, with the most recent tournament being held in Japan in 2019. The tournament has seen huge attendances, with the final of the 2019 tournament being watched by a record-breaking 80,255 people at the International Yokohama Stadium in Japan.
Rugby World Cup 2023
The next Rugby World Cup is set to take place in France in 2023. This will be the tenth Rugby World Cup, and it is expected to be one of the most highly anticipated events in the sport’s history. The tournament will feature 20 teams, with the top teams from around the world battling it out for the title of world champions.
Pool Stages and Knockout Stages
The Rugby World Cup is divided into two stages: the pool stages and the knockout stages. During the pool stages, the 20 teams are divided into four pools of five teams each. Each team plays all of the other teams in their pool once, with the top two teams from each pool advancing to the knockout stages.
In the knockout stages, the remaining 16 teams are divided into eight pairs, with the winner of each pair advancing to the next round. The final is played between the two remaining teams, with the winner being crowned the world champions.
National Teams
The British and Irish Lions
- History and Selection:
- The British and Irish Lions is a rugby union team that represents the four Home Nations – England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales.
- The team was first formed in 1871 and has since toured internationally every few years.
- The team is selected by a committee comprising representatives from each of the four Home Nations.
- Tours and Matches:
- The British and Irish Lions tour international rugby nations and play against local teams.
- The team has toured Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Argentina multiple times.
- The team plays a series of matches against the local national team, as well as against regional or provincial teams.
- Results and Statistics:
- The British and Irish Lions have a mixed record in international rugby matches.
- The team has won 26 out of 34 test series, with notable victories over Australia and South Africa.
- However, the team has also lost test series against New Zealand and Australia in recent years.
National Teams
- England:
- England is one of the top tier nations in international rugby and has a long history of success in the sport.
- The English national team has won the Six Nations Championship a record 13 times and has also won the Rugby World Cup once.
- England’s home stadium is Twickenham Stadium in London, which is one of the largest rugby stadiums in the world.
- France:
- France is another top tier nation in international rugby and has a passionate fan base.
- The French national team has won the Six Nations Championship five times and has also reached the final of the Rugby World Cup once.
- France’s home stadium is the Stade de France in Paris, which is one of the largest stadiums in Europe.
- Ireland:
- Ireland is a second tier nation in international rugby but has been on the rise in recent years.
- The Irish national team won the Six Nations Championship in 2018 and has also reached the quarterfinals of the Rugby World Cup twice.
- Ireland’s home stadium is Aviva Stadium in Dublin, which is a modern stadium with a retractable roof.
- Italy:
- Italy is a second tier nation in international rugby and has struggled to compete with the top teams in the world.
- The Italian national team has never won the Six Nations Championship and has also failed to qualify for the Rugby World Cup several times.
- Italy’s home stadium is Stadio Olimpico in Rome, which is a multi-sport stadium that also hosts football matches.
- Scotland:
- Scotland is a second tier nation in international rugby and has a proud history in the sport.
- The Scottish national team has won the Six Nations Championship a record six times and has also reached the final of the Rugby World Cup once.
- Scotland’s home stadium is Murrayfield Stadium in Edinburgh, which is the largest rugby stadium in Scotland.
- Wales:
- Wales is a second tier nation in international rugby and has a passionate fan base.
- The Welsh national team has won the Six Nations Championship a record seven times and has also reached the semi-finals of the Rugby World Cup twice.
- Wales’ home stadium is Principality Stadium in Cardiff, which is a modern stadium with a retractable roof.
Rugby Match Strategies and Tactics
Scoring in Rugby Matches
Try
In rugby, a try is the equivalent of a touchdown in American football. It is worth five points and is scored by grounding the ball behind the goal line of the opposing team. A try can be scored through various means, such as catching a pass, running with the ball, or recovering a loose ball in the opposition’s in-goal area.
Catch and Pass
Catching and passing is a fundamental skill in rugby. Players must be able to catch the ball while running at full speed and then pass it to a teammate in stride. Accurate passing is crucial for moving the ball up the field and creating scoring opportunities.
Support Running
Support running is a tactic used by rugby teams to create space and scoring opportunities. Players must be aware of their teammates’ movements and be prepared to support them in case they are tackled or forced to pass the ball. Support runners must also be aware of the opposition’s positioning and avoid being caught offside.
Dummy Run
A dummy run is a tactic used by rugby players to deceive the opposition. A player may fake a pass or run in one direction to draw the defense away from the real play. This creates space for the player’s teammates to move the ball up the field or score a try.
Hand-off
A hand-off is a tactical move used by rugby teams to gain possession of the ball. A player will pass the ball to a teammate and then use their hand to hit the opposition player and disrupt their possession. This can create an opportunity for the team to steal the ball and score a try.
Line Break
A line break is a crucial tactic used by rugby teams to break through the opposition’s defense. A player must use their speed and agility to break through the defense and gain possession of the ball. Once through the defense, the player must have the support of their teammates to create a scoring opportunity.
Stepping
Stepping is a skill used by rugby players to create space and evade tackles. Players must use their footwork to step past the opposition and gain momentum. Stepping is particularly effective when combined with support running and dummy runs.
Tackle
Tackling is a crucial aspect of rugby. Players must be able to tackle effectively to prevent the opposition from scoring. A good tackle should aim to bring the opposition player to the ground and prevent them from reclaiming the ball. The tackler must also be aware of their surroundings and avoid being tackled themselves.
Turnover
A turnover is a situation in which the possession of the ball changes during a rugby match. Turnovers can occur when the opposition makes a mistake, such as a forward pass or a knock-on, or when the attacking team is tackled. Turnovers are crucial for creating scoring opportunities and preventing the opposition from scoring.
Offload
An offload is a skill used by rugby players to pass the ball while being tackled. The player must be able to pass the ball quickly and accurately to a teammate, who can then continue the attack. Offloading is particularly effective when combined with support running and dummy runs.
Grubber Kick
A grubber kick is a tactic used by rugby teams to gain possession of the ball. The player will kick the ball in front of them, aiming for it to bounce over the opposition’s head and into their in-goal area. This creates an opportunity for the team to steal the ball and score a try.
Up and Under
An up and under is a tactic used by rugby teams to restart the game after a stoppage in play. The player will kick the ball deep into the opposition’s in-goal area, aiming for it to bounce over their head and out of play. This gives the team possession of the ball and
FAQs
1. What are rugby matches called?
Rugby matches are commonly referred to as rugby games or simply as matches. In some instances, they may also be referred to as rugby fixtures or rugby events.
2. What are the different types of rugby matches?
There are several types of rugby matches, including club matches, international matches, and domestic league matches. Club matches are played between teams from different rugby clubs, while international matches are played between national teams representing different countries. Domestic league matches are played within a country’s own rugby league system.
3. How long do rugby matches typically last?
Rugby matches can vary in length, but they typically last for 80 minutes, which is divided into two halves of 40 minutes each. However, there are also other forms of rugby, such as sevens rugby, which have shorter match durations.
4. Where can I find information about upcoming rugby matches?
You can find information about upcoming rugby matches by checking the websites of rugby governing bodies, such as the International Rugby Board (IRB) or the national rugby unions. You can also check the websites of individual rugby clubs or follow rugby-related news outlets to stay up-to-date on match schedules and results.
5. How can I watch rugby matches?
There are several ways to watch rugby matches, including on television, online streaming services, and live at the stadium. Many rugby matches are broadcast on television, either on dedicated sports channels or on more general channels. Online streaming services, such as Amazon Prime Video and Sky Sports, also offer live coverage of rugby matches. Additionally, many rugby stadiums offer live matches to fans who wish to attend in person.
