Rugby league and rugby union share the same origins but split into separate sports in 1895. The biggest differences are team size, what happens after a tackle and scoring. Rugby league has 13 players per side and uses a six-tackle system: after each tackle, play restarts with an uncontested play-the-ball, and possession changes after the sixth tackle. Rugby union has 15 players per side, no tackle limit and contested rucks and mauls, plus contested scrums and lineouts. In league, a try is worth four points, a conversion two, a penalty goal two and a field goal one. In union, a try is worth five, a conversion two, and a penalty goal or drop goal three. League is often seen as faster and more continuous, while union features more contests for possession and set-piece battles.
Rulebook note: Rugby union follows World Rugby’s Laws of the Game, while rugby league follows the laws of the International Rugby League and competitions such as the NRL and Super League, which have their own variations. Both codes update their rules periodically, so check the current laws for any competition.
Key differences at a glance
| Feature | Rugby league | Rugby union |
|---|---|---|
| Players per side | 13 | 15 |
| Try | 4 points | 5 points |
| Conversion | 2 points | 2 points |
| Penalty goal | 2 points | 3 points |
| Drop goal | 1 point (field goal) | 3 points |
| After the tackle | Six-tackle limit, play-the-ball | No limit, contested rucks |
| Lineouts | None | Yes |
| Scrums | Rarely contested | Contested |
| Defensive retreat | 10 meters at play-the-ball | Offside line at the ruck |
Why rugby split in 1895
In the late nineteenth century, rugby was governed by the Rugby Football Union, which insisted on strict amateurism. Many players in northern England were working men who lost wages when they missed work to play. Clubs wanted to compensate them for this lost time, known as broken-time payments, but the RFU refused. In 1895, a group of northern clubs broke away and formed the Northern Rugby Football Union. Over the following years, this new body changed its rules to make the game faster and more entertaining for paying spectators, eventually becoming rugby league. The original game continued as rugby union, which remained officially amateur until 1995.
How the tackle differs
The tackle is where the two codes differ most. In rugby league, when a player is tackled, they get up and play the ball backward with their foot to a teammate, while the defending team retreats ten meters. Possession is not contested at this point, and the attacking team has six tackles to score or kick before possession changes. In rugby union, a tackled player must release the ball, and both teams compete for it in a ruck. There is no limit on phases, so a team can keep the ball indefinitely if it secures possession at each breakdown. This makes union’s breakdown a central battleground, while league’s structure creates a rhythm of sets and kicks.
Set pieces
Rugby union has contested scrums with eight forwards per side and lineouts in which players are lifted to catch the ball. These set pieces are major sources of possession and tactical battles. Rugby league has scrums with fewer players, and they are generally uncontested in practice, while league has no lineouts; when the ball goes into touch, play usually restarts with a scrum or a tap, depending on the rules. As a result, forwards in union need specialized set-piece skills, while league forwards focus more on running, tackling and play-the-ball speed.
Style of play
Rugby league is often seen as faster and more continuous, with frequent high-impact carries, structured sets and tactical kicking on the last tackle. The defensive line retreats ten meters after each tackle, creating space for attacking runs. Rugby union offers more variety in how possession is won and lost, with rucks, mauls, scrums and lineouts creating different contests. Union matches can involve long phases of play, territorial kicking battles and a greater emphasis on set-piece dominance. Both require strength, speed, fitness and skill, but the balance of those qualities differs.
Positions compared
Positions also differ between the codes. Rugby league typically has two props, a hooker, two second-row forwards and a lock in the forwards, with a halfback, five-eighth, two centers, two wingers and a fullback in the backs. The hooker often acts as dummy half, collecting the ball from the play-the-ball and distributing it. Rugby union has eight forwards, including two props, a hooker, two locks, two flankers and a number eight, plus seven backs: scrum half, fly half, two centers, two wingers and a fullback. Some names overlap but mean different things; for example, a lock in league is a loose forward, while in union locks are the second-row players who jump in the lineout.
Major competitions
Rugby league’s best-known competitions include Australia’s National Rugby League, England’s Super League, the State of Origin series between New South Wales and Queensland and the Rugby League World Cup. Rugby union’s major events include the Rugby World Cup, the Six Nations Championship in Europe, The Rugby Championship in the Southern Hemisphere and professional club competitions in England, France, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, Italy, South Africa, New Zealand, Australia and Japan. Both codes also have thriving women’s and junior competitions.
Where each code is popular
Rugby league is strongest in Australia, especially New South Wales and Queensland, northern England, Papua New Guinea, New Zealand and parts of the Pacific such as Tonga and Samoa. Rugby union is played more widely around the world, with strong traditions in New Zealand, South Africa, England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, Argentina, Australia and Japan, and growing participation in the Americas and elsewhere. Some countries, such as Australia and New Zealand, have strong followings for both codes.
Switching between codes
Many players have switched between the codes, particularly since union turned professional. Players moving from league to union often bring strong running, tackling and defensive organization but must learn breakdown skills, set-piece roles and union’s laws. Players moving from union to league need to adapt to the six-tackle structure, the play-the-ball and the demands of repeated defensive efforts. Backs tend to switch more easily than forwards, whose roles differ more between codes.
How to decide which to play
- Consider what is available locally, since club access varies by region.
- Think about your strengths: league suits strong runners and tacklers, union offers more specialist roles.
- Watch both codes to see which style you enjoy.
- Try training sessions with clubs in each code.
- Talk to coaches about positions that suit your build and skills.
Common misconceptions
- They are the same game with small differences: the rules and tactics differ considerably.
- League has no scrums: it does, though they are generally uncontested.
- Union is always slower: pace varies greatly by match and level.
- Tries are worth the same: four in league, five in union.
Frequently asked questions
Why did rugby split into league and union?
Mainly over payments to working-class players in northern England, leading to the 1895 breakaway.
Which is faster, rugby league or union?
League is often seen as faster and more continuous, though both can be very fast-paced.
Can players switch between rugby codes?
Yes, many professionals have played both, although they must adapt to different rules and skills.
