🏉 Rugby union rules explained
Two teams of 15 try to carry, pass (backwards only) and kick an oval ball over the opponents' try line. A match is two 40-minute halves.
How scoring works
- Try: 5 points (grounding the ball in the in-goal area)
- Conversion: 2 points (kick after a try)
- Penalty goal: 3 points
- Drop goal: 3 points
- Penalty try: 7 points (awarded when foul play stops a probable try)
Key rules
- Forward pass
- The ball may only be passed sideways or backwards. A forward pass or knock-on gives the other team a scrum.
- Tackle and ruck
- A tackled player must release the ball; players arriving must stay on their feet and enter through 'the gate'.
- Lineout
- When the ball goes into touch, the hooker throws it in straight between two lines of forwards, who may lift jumpers to catch it.
- Scrum
- Eight forwards from each side bind and push; the scrum-half feeds the ball and the hookers strike for it.
- Offside
- In open play you are offside if you are in front of a teammate who last played the ball; at rucks, behind the hindmost foot.
- Cards
- A yellow card is 10 minutes in the sin bin; a red card is a sending-off.
Learn it, then test yourself
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FAQ
How many players are on a rugby union team?
15 on the field, with up to 8 replacements in most senior competitions.
How many points is a try worth?
5 points, plus a 2-point conversion attempt.
Who throws the ball in at a lineout?
Usually the hooker of the team awarded the throw.
AI-generated, checked against the official rulebook (World Rugby Laws of the Game). Competitions can vary; the governing body's laws are the final word. Last updated October 16, 2026. Spot a mistake? Report an error.