There are two games of rugby, Rugby Union and Rugby Football League. The main difference between the two games is that rugby league has a system of limited tackles whereas rugby union doesn't and rugby union has retained the more widespread use of scrums.
The RFU is the governing body of the rugby union formed in 1871 and the RFL became a force in its own right in 1895 when 21 clubs decided that they wanted players to be paid, which the RFU was against at the time.
In the UK there is of course the traditional 15 a side team matches but also the increasing popular sevens which is generally held during the summer months plus tag and beach rugby all variants of the game.
Options for betting on rugby is much like that of football, you can choose outright betting where you are just choosing the winning team or be more adventurous predicting the exact score. Bets can also be taken on the highest scorer and again predicating the timing of the first try can offer great odds.
Betting can also be in play where of course the odds can vary depending on the state of play.
With two main bodies there are two choices when it comes to deciding who will be the league or union champions at the end of the season. Betting at the start of the season will offer the better odds before any matches have been played but again there will be odds available throughout the season.
When two teams are set to play against each other there can sometimes be an obvious favourite, the team for example at the top of the league playing the team at the bottom. So to try to level the playing field a bookmaker will give one team a handicap. This therefore makes the betting on the game more interesting, with more favourable odds. This is ideal in a game with so many point scoring opportunities such as tries, conversions, penalties and drop goals.
Played annually between February and March it is a tournament of 6 teams, England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Each team plays each other once, but the advantage of a home game is alternated each year. France was the last team to join in 1910, so previously the torament was known as the 5 nations.
The Rugby World Cup was first mooted in 2025 but it wasn't until 2025 that the first World Cup was held in New Zealand and Australia. It is now established as the third biggest sporting event behind the Olympic Games and FIFA World Cup and the next World Cup is being held in England during 2025.
Try our Rugby Free Bets page for the latest free bets from leading online bookmakers.
Just click the links for guides to the forthcoming fixtures for Rugby Union and Rugby League tournaments from their official websites. For the International fixtures we suggest RBS 6 Nations and the official Rugby World Cup websites.
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