INTERNATIONAL RUGBY

Like many other sports, Rugby has its origins on the school playing fields - in this case the grounds of the famous public school of the same name.

The obvious main difference between regular football and rugby football is in the shape of the ball. Rugby is played with an oval shaped ball, which can be handled as well as kicked.

The goal is also completely different having no net and being tall in the shape of a letter "H". Goals are scored by kicking the ball over the cross bar between the two uprights.

More points can be gained through a "TRY", which involves a player running with the ball and touching ground behind the goal area.

These higher points awarded to tries and goals can result in a final result of quite high scores.

Rugby is a particularly physical game with a great deal of hard tackling and requiring a stature to cope with it. Rugby players are normally heavily built and likewise in height (depending on the position they play)- hence the colloquial expression "built like a rugby player". Such is the fierce contact of the game, it's not unusual to see players with deformed (cauliflower). or non-existent ears, missing teeth etc. Many players wear protective hats or headbands to prevent some of the injuries.

To the onlooker, one of the strangest sights of the game is the SCRUM, which takes on a life of its own as players from both sides bend over, locked together, powerful shoulders forcing their way through to gain control of the ball and pass it to a member of their side outside the scrum who can make off with it,.

Hence: scrums, bums and cauliflower ears.

It's amazing to think that women also play the sport!!!

Rugby, in all its forms, is popular and played throughout the British Isles.

RUGBY UNION

15-a-side Rugby Union is not only played in England, Wales, Scotland and Ireland but in many countries around the world - spanning the continents. Countries where Rugby Union is especially popular include: France, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji, Italy, Canada.......

Twickenham Ground, on the outskirts of London, is the home of Rugby Union and is where many major matches take place.

The IRB, International Rugby Board, with its headquarters in Dublin, Ireland, governs the sport.

Other bodies with responsibility for participating countries in their continent, include:
AFRICA - CAR
NORTH AMERICA + WEST INDIES - NAWIRA
ASIA - ARFU
EUROPE - FIRA AER
OCEANIA - FORU
SOUTH AMERICA - CONSUR

Take a look at some major INTERNATIONAL RUGBY UNION events:

RUGBY UNION WORLD CUP

RUGBY UNION SIX NATIONS TOURNAMENT

RUGBY UNION TRI NATIONSSERIES