Introduction
Rugby union, commonly known in most of the world simply as rugby, is a contact team sport which originated in England in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its most common form, a game is between two teams of 15 players using an oval-shaped ball on a rectangular field with H-shaped goalposts at each end.
Rugby union is a popular sport around the world, played by male and female players of all ages. In 2014, there were more than 6 million people playing worldwide, of whom 2.36 million were registered players. World Rugby, previously called the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) and the International Rugby Board (IRB), has been the governing body for rugby union since 1886, and currently has 101 countries as full members and 18 associate members.
Article of the month
Recent news
- 21 March 2015 : Ireland win 2015 Six Nations Championship
- 2 August 2014: The NSW Waratahs win the 2014 Super Rugby title for the first time after defeating 7-time champions, Crusaders 33-32.
- 27 July 2014: The South Africa sevens team wins gold at the 2014 Commonwealth Games after defeating reigning champion, New Zealand in the final.
- 28 June 2014: Fiji defeat the Cook Islands to qualify for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
- 25 May 2014: Japan win the 2014 Asian Five Nations to qualify for 2015 Rugby World Cup.
- 24 May 2014: Toulon defeat Saracens 23–6 in the final of the 2013–14 Heineken Cup.
- 17 May 2014: New Zealand win the '2013–14 IRB Women's Sevens World Series
Did you know...
- ... that the iconic guerilla Che Guevara (pictured) played fly-half for Club Universitario de Buenos Aires and edited a rugby fanzine?
- ... that women's rugby union dates back to at least 1884, possibly earlier?
- ... that Alfred Clunies-Ross was the first non-white rugby international, and played for Scotland in the first ever rugby international?
- ... that snow rugby is played in many parts of the world including Afghanistan?
- ... that Richard Summers, Edward Peake, Godfrey Darbishire and Richard Williams were all single cap Wales rugby union players after the team was humiliated by England in its first international match
- ... that rugby union footballer David Gage played in 68 of 74 matches played by the 1888–89 New Zealand Native team during their tour of the British Isles?
- ... that Stephen Fry was an engineer and aspiring jazz pianist before he captained South Africa's rugby team against the British Lions?
- ... that the English actor Nick Frost known for Shaun of the Dead, Hot Fuzz, Paul, Attack the Block etc used to play for Barking Rugby Football Club?
Selected image
The 1888-1889 New Zealand Native football team before they played Queensland in July 1889. The team played 107 matches on a tour of Britain, Australia and New Zealand in 1888 and 1889.
Things you can do
Selected quote
When I see Gareth Edwards, I can still see the try he got against Scotland in the mud and rain. I look at Colin Meads and see a great big sheep farmer who carried the ball in his hands as though it was an orange pip.
Selected biography
Brian O'Driscoll (born 1979) is an Irish professional rugby union player. He captained Ireland from 2003 to 2012, and was captain of the British and Irish Lions for their 2005 tour of New Zealand. After leading Ireland to a Triple Crown in the 2006 Six Nations, he was voted player of the tournament. Registered at Blackrock College RFC, he plays at outside centre for the Irish provincial team Leinster. He is also known as BOD God or Drico.
Featured content
- Articles
England national rugby union team
France national rugby union team
Wales national rugby union team
- Lists
Subcategories
WikiProjects
Main topics
Related portals
Associated Wikimedia
Sports portals