Rugby League vs Rugby Union: What's the Difference?

Rugby is one of the most exciting sports, however, you may have noticed there are 2 different kinds, League and Union. At first they seem similar but the rules and playing styles can be quite different.

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Why is there Rugby League and Union?

In the late 1800, Rugby clubs in the north of England wanted to pay players full-time wages as their commitment to the sport meant they were unable to work but the main Rugby organisation refused this, stating they wanted to stay amateur. As a response to this, in 1895, clubs in the north separated and created what is now Rugby League, while Union stayed the ‘original’ game. Over time, both sports have developed different rules. 

Differences between League and Union

Rugby League and Union may seem similar at first, but there are quite a few differences. Rugby League only has 13 players on each team, while Rugby Union has 15. League also has limited tackles (6), whereas in Union, there is no limit as the game continues through rucks and mauls as long as a team keeps possession of the ball. The scoring is different too with a try in League worth 4 points, but 5 in Rugby Union. Overall, League is faster with more structure, while Rugby Union has more set pieces and tactics. 

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Similarities between Rugby League and Union

Despite all these differences, Rugby League and Rugby Union still have similarities. Both sports came from an original form of Rugby, and the main aim is the same: scoring tries. Kicking and tackling are both massive parts of the games. Players have to pass the ball backwards or sideways in both games too. Another one of the biggest similarities is the pitches, with both sports being played on practically identical fields. The two versions of the game still share the same roots and basic ideas.

Article written by Laila Driscoll