A BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO

RUGBY UNION
2019 edition
 Rugby’s history & ethos
Safety
as a top priority Legend has it that in 1823, during
a game of school football in the
Rugby is a highly physical Game. town of Rugby, England, a young
To enjoy it to its utmost you need man named William Webb Ellis
to be physically and mentally picked up the ball and ran towards
prepared. You also need to the opposition’s goal line.
understand how to play safely.
Two centuries later, rugby football
has evolved into one of the world’s
most popular sports, with millions of
people playing, watching and
enjoying the game.

At the heart of rugby is a unique

ethos which it has retained over the
years. Not only is the game played to
Images courtesy of World Rugby Museum, Twickenham and Getty Images

the laws, but within the spirit of the

laws.

Through discipline, control and

worldrugby.org/rugbyready mutual self-respect, a fellowship and
sense of fair play are forged, defining
The Rugby Ready programme rugby as the game it is.
educates, aids and supports
players, coaches, match officials From the school playground to the
and unions on the importance of Rugby World Cup final, rugby union
sufficient preparation for training offers a truly unique and thoroughly
and playing in order for rugby to rewarding experience for all involved
be played and enjoyed while in the game.
reducing the risk of serious injury.

The web site allows you to read

material, watch video, complete
The World Rugby Core Values & Playing Charter
an on-line self check test and In 2009, member unions identified
generate an awareness Integrity, Passion, Solidarity,
certificate. Or contact your Discipline and Respect as the defining
national union for details of face- characteristics of rugby. These are now
to-face courses near you. collectively known as the World Rugby
Core Values and are incorporated within
Disclaimer the World Rugby Playing Charter, a
This Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Union product document which aims to ensure that
has been developed in the context of the laws rugby maintains its unique character both
applying to accident and injury prevention and
medical practice in Ireland and the information on and off the field of play.
and guidelines incorporated on these matters
are made available strictly on the basis that
World Rugby does not accept any liability to any The core values enable participants immediately to understand the character of
person or entity for loss, cost or damage
howsoever arising out of any reliance on and/or
the game and what makes it distinctive as a sport which is played by people of all
use of the information and/or guidelines shapes and sizes.
contained in this Beginner’s Guide to Rugby
Union product.
The World Rugby Playing Charter is incorporated within the World Rugby Laws of the
Game and can be downloaded from worldrugby.org/laws in a variety of languages.

2
 A Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Union

The game Scoring points

Try - 5 points
Rugby is a game in which the object is to carry the ball over the opponents’ A try is scored when
goal line and force it to the ground to score. the ball is grounded
over the opponents’
It’s simple... but complex goal line in the
in-goal area.
The above description may sound simple - but
there is one catch. In order to go forward, the A penalty try can be
ball must be passed backwards. The ball can awarded if a player
be kicked forwards, but the kicker’s team- would have scored
mates must be behind the ball at the moment a try but for foul
the ball is kicked. play by the
opposition. Try signal
This apparent contradiction creates a need for
fine teamwork and great discipline, as little can
be achieved by any one individual player. Only
by working as a team can players move the ball forward towards their opponents’
goal line and eventually go on to win the game.

Rugby has its unique aspects, but like many other sports it is essentially about the
creation and use of space. The winners of a game of rugby will be the team of
players who can get themselves and the ball into space and use that space wisely,
Conversion - 2 points
while denying the opposing team both possession of the ball and access to space
in which to use it. After scoring a try, that team
can attempt to add two further
points by kicking the ball over
The field of play the crossbar and between the
posts from a place in line with
Dead-ball line
where the try was scored.
Touch-in-

Touch-in-
goal line

6-22m
goal

In-goal In-goal

Goal line
Penalty - 3 points
Touchline

When awarded a penalty after

an infringement by the
Touch

opposition, a team may choose

22-metre line
3m to kick at goal.
10m 2m 0.5m 10-metre line Drop goal - 3 points
A drop goal is scored when a
94-100m

Half-way line Half-way line player kicks for goal in open play
10m by dropping the ball onto the
3m
10-metre line ground and kicking it on the
10m 2m
half-volley.
Touch

22-metre line
15m
Touchline

22m
5m

5m
Touch-in-goal

Goal line
Touch-in-
goal line

6-22m

In-goal

68-70m
Dead-ball line

3
Kicking
Open play
If a player chooses not to The term ‘open play’ refers to any phase in the match where the ball is being
pass the ball to a team-mate passed or kicked between team-mates and both teams are contesting for the
or run with it, that player may ball. In open play, the team in possession tries to get the ball to players in
kick the ball instead. The kick space who can make forward progress towards the opposing goal line.
can travel forwards, but any
team-mates in front of the
ball at the moment the ball is Kick-off
kicked are out of play until Each half of the match is started with
either they retire behind the a drop kick from the centre of the half
kicker or are played onside by way line. The non-kicking team must
a team-mate. be 10 metres back from the ball when
it is kicked and the kick must travel
10m towards the opposition goal line
before hitting the ground.

Handling
Passing
A player may pass (throw the ball) to
a team-mate who is in a better
position to continue the attack, but
the pass must not travel towards the
opposing team’s goal line. It must
Retaining possession of the ball travel either directly across the field,
following a kick is a challenge. or back in the direction of the
Kicking strategies include: passer’s own goal line.

• kicking into space, so that By carrying the ball forwards and

team-mates have time to run passing backwards, territory is gained.
onto the ball before an
opponent can get to it
• kicking out wide, at an oblique
If a forward pass is made, the referee will stop the game and award a scrum (see
angle to the field, so that the
page 8) with the throw-in going to the team which was not in possession at the
wing or outside centre can
time of the pass. In this way, a forward pass is punished by that team losing
catch the ball
possession of the ball.
• kicking the ball to touch (off
the field of play) resulting in a
lineout (see page 9) with the Knock-on
throw-in to the opposition. When a player mishandles the ball,
This concedes possession of i.e. drops it or allows it to rebound off
the ball but allows the kicking a hand or arm, and the ball travels
team to contest for the ball in forwards, it is known as a knock-on.
a much more advantageous
position on the field. This is punishable by a scrum to the
opposition and therefore a turnover
of possession.

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 A Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Union

Tackle, ruck & maul Advantage

As well as being an evasion game which requires creation and use of space, The advantage law allows the
Rugby is also a contact sport. In fact, contact situations can be the very game to be more continuous
mechanism by which players create the space they need to attack. The and have fewer stoppages.
three most common contact situations which occur in open play are tackle,
ruck and maul. Sometimes, during a game, an
infringement of the laws may
The tackle be committed where a
stoppage in play would deprive
Only the ball carrier can be tackled by the non-offending team of an
an opposing player. A tackle occurs opportunity to score.
when the ball carrier is held by one or
more opponents and is brought to Even though the laws state that
ground, i.e. has one or both knees on the non-offending team should
the ground, is sitting on the ground or be awarded a penalty, free kick or
is on top of another player who is on scrum, they are given the
the ground. To maintain the continuity opportunity to continue with
of the game, the ball carrier must open play and attempt to score
release the ball immediately after the a try.
tackle, the tackler must release the ball carrier and both players must roll away
from the ball. This allows other players to come in and contest for the ball, thereby In this instance, the referee will
starting a new phase of play. allow play to continue rather
than penalise the offence.

The ruck
A ruck is formed if the ball is on the
ground and one or more players from Offside
each team who are on their feet close
around it. Players must not handle Rugby’s offside law restricts
the ball in the ruck, and must use where on the field players can
their feet to move the ball or drive be, to ensure there is space to
over it so that it emerges at the attack and defend.
team’s hindmost foot, at which point
it can be picked up. In general, a player is in an offside
position if that player is further
forward (nearer to the
opponents’ goal line) than the
The maul team-mate who is carrying the
ball or the team-mate who last
A maul occurs when the ball carrier is played the ball.
held by one or more opponents and
one or more of the ball carrier’s team- Being in an offside position is
mates holds on (binds) as well (a maul not, in itself, an offence, but an
therefore needs a minimum of three offside player may not take part
players). The ball must be off the in the game until they are
ground. onside again.

The team in possession of the ball can attempt to gain territory by driving their If an offside player takes part in
opponents back towards the opponents’ goal line. The ball can then be passed the game, that player will be
backwards between players in the maul and eventually passed to a player who is penalised.
not in the maul, or a player can leave the maul carrying the ball and run with it.

5
 Rugby union has always been characterised by the
The positions notion that it is a game for all shapes and sizes.

Uniquely, each position requires a different set of

Fifteens rugby physical and technical attributes and it is this
Hooker
diversity which makes the game so accessible to all.
Loose-head Tight-head Forwards
prop prop

Lock
1 2 3 Lock

Blind-side Open-side Hooker

flanker flanker Loose-head Tight-head Sevens rugby
prop prop
Number 8
Forwards
1 2 3
9
Backs
Scrum 10
half 4 Backs
11 Fly half 12 Scrum
half 5
Left Inside 13 Fly half
wing centre
Outside 14 6
centre
15 Right Centre
wing 7
Full back Wing
The names of positions given here are the most commonly used across the Rugby world. However, some regional variations may exist.

Props Hooker

1 3 1 3 2 2
What they do: Their primary role is to anchor the What they do: The hooker has two unique roles on the pitch
scrummage and provide lifting strength and support for the as the player who wins possession in the scrum and usually
lineout jumpers. Also pivotal in rucks & mauls. throws the ball in to the lineout.
What they need: Upper-body strength to provide stability in What they need: Great strength to withstand the physicality
the scrum, endurance, mobility and safe hands to maintain of the front row coupled with speed to get around the pitch
continuity of play. and good throwing technique.

Locks Flankers

4 5 6 7
What they do: Locks win ball from lineouts and restarts. What they do: Their key objective is to win possession through
They drive forward momentum in the scrum, rucks and turn-overs, using physicality in the tackle and speed to the
mauls providing a platform for attack. breakdown.
What they need: The key characteristic is height. The locks What they need: An insatiable desire for big tackles and a no-
are the giants of the team and combine their physicality with fear approach to winning the ball. A combination of speed,
great catching skills and mobility. strength, endurance and handling.

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 A Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Union

Number 8 Scrum half

8 9 4
What they do: The Number 8 must secure possession at the What they do: Provides the link between forwards and backs at
base of the scrum, carry the ball in open play, provide the link the scrum and lineouts. A true decision-maker, the 9 will judge
between the forwards and backs in attacking phases and whether to distribute quick ball to the backs or keep it close to
defend aggressively. the forwards.
What they need: Good handling skills are essential, as is a What they need: A multi-faceted position, the scrum half must be
great awareness of space. Power and pace over short powerful, have explosive speed, all-round handling and kicking skills.
distances is crucial - gaining territory and field position for a The great 9s are highly confident players, with excellent game
quick release to the backs in attack. understanding.

Fly half Centres

10 5 12 13 6
What they do: As the player who orchestrates the team’s What they do: The centres are key in both defence and
performance, the 10 will receive the ball from the 9 and attack. In defence they will attempt to tackle attacking
choose to kick, pass or make a break based upon split-second players whilst in attack they will use their speed, power and
interpretation of the phase of play. creative flair to breach defences.
What they need: The ability to kick well out of hand, ideally What they need: The modern-day centre is lean, strong and
on either foot, deft handling skills, pace, vision, creativity, extremely quick. The position demands great attacking
communication skills, tactical awareness and the ability to prowess, coupled with an intensity in contact to either retain
perform under pressure. or steal possession.

Wings Full back

11 14 7 15
What they do: The wings are on the pitch to provide the What they do: Generally perceived as the last line of
injection of out-and-out pace needed to outrun an opponent defence, the full back must be confident under a high ball,
and score a try. Also important to be solid in defence. have a good boot to clear the lines and a enjoy the physicality
What they need: Pace. Wings will often find themselves in required to make try-saving tackles.
open space, when their number one priority is to press the What they need: Great handling skills, pace in attack and
accelerator and run for the line. Strength and good handling power in defence. An ability to join the line at pace to create
are an advantage too. an overlap and try-scoring opportunities for the winger.
Tactical skill and flair.

7
 Signals for scrum
awarded (left)

Equipment
The scrum and forming a scrum
(right)

Before playing rugby, it’s The scrum is a means of restarting play after a stoppage which has been
important to understand the caused by a minor infringement of the laws (for example, a forward pass or
equipment you’ll need. knock on) or the ball becoming unplayable in a ruck or maul. The scrum
serves to concentrate all the forwards and the scrum halves in one place on
the field, providing the opportunity for the backs to mount an attack using
the space created elsewhere.

Firstly, you’ll need a sturdy pair

of boots with studs or cleats
which are appropriate to the
conditions. These are essential
to providing the purchase you’ll
require, especially in contact
situations.

The ball is thrown into the middle of the tunnel between the two front rows, at
which point the two hookers can compete for the ball, attempting to hook the ball
back in the direction of their team-mates. The team who throws the ball into the
scrum usually retains possession, because the hooker and scrum half can
synchronise their actions.

Once possession has been secured, a team can keep the ball on the ground and in
the scrum and attempt to drive the opposition down field. Alternatively, they can
bring the ball to the hindmost foot of the scrum, where the ball is then passed into
It is recommended that you the back line and open play resumes again.
wear a mouth guard to protect
the teeth and jaw, and some
players choose to wear World
Rugby approved head gear The scrum half
and/or padded equipment,
The key player at the scrum is the
worn under the shirt.
scrum half. This player throws the ball
into the scrum, moves to the hindmost
foot of the scrum, and is usually the
player who picks the ball up and passes
out to the fly half who then distributes
the ball to the back line. As soon as the
scrum half picks the ball up, the
opposition may contest for the ball and
attempt to tackle whichever player is in
possession.

8
 A Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Union

The touch judge signals

that the ball is in touch

The lineout and which team has the

throw in
Penalty and
free kick
Infringements of the laws
which have a material and
significant impact on the
opposition are punished with
the award of a penalty kick.

If the place
where the
penalty is
awarded is within
range of the posts,
the team will
usually choose to
The lineout is a means of restarting play after the ball has gone into touch
kick for a goal from
(off the field of play at the side). The lineout concentrates a selection of
a place kick. The
forwards in one place near to the touchline, so the backs have the rest of
ball is placed on a
the width of the field in which to mount an attack. The key for the forwards
kicking tee and
is to win possession and distribute the ball effectively to the back line.
the kicker attempts
Penalty
to kick it between
The forwards assemble in two lines, perpendicular to the touchline, one metre signal the posts and over
apart. The hooker throws the ball down the corridor between these two lines of the crossbar. Three points are
players. Because the thrower’s team-mates know where the throw is likely to go, awarded for a
that team has an advantage in retaining possession. However, with speed of successful kick.
thought and movement, the opposition can contest for the ball and the lineout
frequently results in a turnover of possession. A team may choose not to kick
for goal. Other options include a
The player who successfully catches the ball can keep it and set up a maul, or can scrum, a ‘quick penalty’ to bring
pass to the receiver (a player who stands next to the lineout to wait for such a the ball into open play, or kicking
pass) who then passes to the fly half and on to the back line. for touch (where the kicking
team has the throw in to the
resulting lineout).
Lineout support
To allow players to catch high throws A free kick is
in the lineout, it is permissible for the awarded for
catcher to be supported by team- less significant
mates while jumping to catch the offences. A
ball. team may not
score points directly
Safety is a prime concern here, and from a free kick.
any player who is off the ground
must be supported until that player A team may opt for a
returns to the ground. A player may scrum instead of a
not be tackled while in the air, and free kick.
holding, shoving or levering on an Free kick
opponent are all offences punishable signal
with a penalty kick.

9
Becoming a
Match officials
match official The match is under the control of the referee and two touch judges.
Depending on the level at which the game is being played, there may be
Becoming a referee or touch other officials behind the scenes such as a time keeper or television match
judge is a unique way to official to adjudicate on replays.
experience rugby.

Most people who become

match officials have played the
game themselves and are now
looking to give something back
to the game they love, but this
does not necessarily have to be
the case. Anyone can learn
refereeing, even from a young
age. In fact, for anyone aiming
to get to the top of the
refereeing profession, starting
young is a good idea.

As a match official, you are at

the heart of the action and so
see the game from a unique
perspective. It’s a great way to The referee
get lots of good exercise, and to
Before the match, the referee will usually speak to the front row players (the props
test yourself against many
and the hookers) from both teams, to run through the scrum engagement
challenging situations.
procedure. This helps to focus the minds of all concerned on this essential phase
Refereeing is not easy, but can
of the game. The referee then organises the coin toss with the captains prior to
be hugely rewarding.
the match to decide who kicks off. During the match itself, the referee is the sole
judge of fact and of law. It is essential that all players respect the referee’s
To become a qualified match
decisions at all times.
official, start by asking your club,
regional body or national union
about training courses near you. Touch judges
World Rugby provides courses Two judges, one on either side of the
for all levels of participant, from field of play, assist the referee in
novice through to experienced matters of when and where the ball
match official. goes into touch and on any other
issues as required by the referee. The
A basic level training course can touch judges also adjudicate on the
be completed in one day, and success or otherwise of kicks at goal.
when combined with some
game sense which can only be
gained through exposure to Foul play
rugby as a player or spectator,
can set you off on the road to Foul play is anything a player does
becoming a referee. which is contrary to the letter and spirit
of the laws of the game, including
obstruction, unfair play, dangerous
play and misconduct. The referee must
sanction appropriately for foul play.

10
 A Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Union

Why did the whistle blow?

For anyone who is not familiar with the finer points of the laws of rugby it can sometimes be hard to tell why the
referee has stopped play for an infringement. Here we look at some of the most common reasons why the whistle
may have blown. Alongside is the signal you’ll see the referee make when each circumstance occurs during play. The
signals for penalty and free kick are shown on page 9.

Advantage being played Forward pass or knock on

Advantage can be applied to either Sometimes an attack
minor infringements (e.g. knock-on), or which seems to be
offences which would result in a heading towards the try
penalty (e.g. offside). The decision has line will be stopped by
to be made by the referee as to the referee’s whistle.
whether there may be more benefit to
the non-offending team if play If a pass has gone
continues. If no advantage occurs, the forwards, or a handling
referee will blow the whistle and bring error has resulted in a
play back to the place of the original knock-on, a scrum will Forward pass Knock on

infringement which occurred prior to advantage being played. have been awarded to the non-offending team.

Failure to release player or ball Failure to roll away

After a tackle, the tackler must Any players on the ground
immediately release the ball when a ruck or maul is formed
carrier, and the ball carrier must immediately roll away
must immediately release the from the ball, so as to allow
ball. continuity of play for the team
in possession.
Failure on either of these
counts limits a fair contest for Failure to do so will result in
possession. If release does not the award of a penalty to the
occur within a reasonable time Failure to Failure to
non-offending team.
frame, the referee will award a release player release ball
penalty to the non-offending
team.

Joining ruck/maul from the side Unplayable ball at ruck or maul

When joining a ruck or maul, all If the ball
players must do so from behind the becomes
hindmost foot of their hindmost unplayable at
team-mate. a ruck e.g.
under players
If they join from the side, they are in who are on
an offside position and taking part in the ground,
the game, and this will immediately be the referee Unplayable at ruck Unplayable at maul
penalised with the award of a penalty will award a scrum to the team going forward before the ball
to the opposing team. became unplayable. For a maul the scrum goes to the team
not in possession when the maul began.

11
Becoming a
The coach
coach
Becoming a coach, and
thereby helping others to
enjoy the game, can be a
fulfilling way to be involved in
rugby.

Most people who enter

coaching are either former
players who want to give
something back to rugby
or parents who want to
help their children experience
rugby.

Coaching can be a rich and The role of the coach varies greatly depending on the level at which the
satisfying experience, but it is team operates. At grass roots level it’s about developing players -
also a responsibility not to be technically and personally - while at international level the coach is
taken lightly. responsible for team selection, performance and results.

Young people in the care of A coach takes on many interchangeable roles, such as leader, manager, teacher
today’s coaches are the next and organiser. The coach needs to have a knowledge of the game and its laws,
generation of players, referees motivation, physical fitness and an understanding of how to coach and improve
and volunteers, and the players.
attitudes they learn from their
experiences can affect many Replacements
aspects of their lives. As a coach,
As well as the 15 players in the starting line up, a team can also have
you could help to give them the
replacements. The coach can make a pre-agreed number of replacements, for
confidence to succeed, not only
tactical reasons, during the course of the game. Players can also be replaced when
in rugby but also in life.
injured, either temporarily while a player is assessed and/or receives treatment, or
permanently if a player is unable to continue playing.
Your club, regional body or
national union will be able to
help you start on the path to Team spirit
become a coach. A good place
to start is with the Rugby Ready
programme (see page 2) and
you could move from there to a
Level 1 Coaching qualification -
this takes just one day and gives
you a grounding in the basics of
coaching.

Another important role of the coach is to instill team spirit into the players. This is
especially important at levels where the players take part for the fun of
participation rather than the aim of winning.

12
 A Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Union

Team tactics Watching

Rugby
The pace and power of
modern rugby have made it
one of the most exciting
spectator sports around.
Indeed, several aspects of the
game have evolved as a result
of this mass audience appeal.

Large screens
Many stadiums now have large
screens on which replays can be
seen just moments after the
action has taken place.

The source of endless debate, controversy and acclaim alike, developing the
right tactics can make or break a team’s performance. Far from an easy
proposition, but get it right, and you’re the world’s greatest rugby visionary -
to your players, at least.

Developing tactics requires a thorough understanding of your team’s strengths.

These tactics will be in part forward dominated and power based, and also reliant
on the creation of space and use of pace. As important, is an awareness of the team
and individuals you’re up against - and the tactics they are likely to employ.

Using power
Using the physical strength of the
forwards, in scrums and rolling mauls,
can result in significant territory gain.
Forward players can ‘pick and drive’ Television match official
(gather the ball and take it forward
Televised matches have an
with the support of team-mates)
official who uses replays to
until the moment is right to release it
advise the referee on decisions
to the backs.
according to what the replays
show.

Creating space However you choose to watch

the game, don’t just focus on
For all its many complexities, rugby the ball, try concentrating on
remains a simple game in essence. the alignment of attackers and
Points will be scored when a player is defenders and the positioning
put into space and when an attacking of certain players, e.g. fly half,
team out-numbers those in defence. number 8 and full back.

As such, rugby’s holy grail lies in the

creation of space. There are many tactics geared towards this, but primarily it’s
about winning quick ball to move the passage of play away from a concentration
of players whilst injecting pace and creativity in attack to make space for a player
to score.

13
Rugby’s laws:
Rugby sevens
an evolution Making Olympic dreams

The World Rugby Law Book is

published each year. It is
available online at
worldrugby.org/laws where
you can download the Laws in
PDF format and take a test to
check your law knowledge.

The laws of rugby are developed

with two central principles in Rugby sevens is played on a full size pitch by teams of seven players rather
mind: firstly, to allow players to than fifteen. The game is shorter in duration, with each half lasting seven
play within the spirit of the minutes during the pool stages of a tournament, and increasing to ten for
game, and secondly, to protect the final.
the welfare of all players.
Aside from the duration, the laws vary very little from the 15-a-side game, though, of
Sometimes World Rugby trials course, because of the amount of space available on the pitch, it is a very different
changes to the laws, before game to watch. One characteristic of rugby sevens is that sometimes teams will
deciding whether those choose to retreat towards their own try line initially, drawing the opposition towards
changes should be them, in an attempt to create space in other areas to then go forward in attack.
implemented on a global basis
and accepted into
full law. Law trials may apply Demands of rugby
only in a certain region or, for sevens Sevens and
example, only the northern or the Olympics
southern hemisphere. Because rugby sevens is played on a
full size pitch, players need to be able
Any change in law creates a to cover a lot of ground during a Rugby rejoined the Olympic
challenge for players and match. This means that participants programme at Rio 2016™ and Tokyo
coaches alike, providing need to be incredibly fit and have 2020™.
opportunity for teams to adjust plenty of speed, skill and stamina. As
their tactics to take advantage a result, rugby sevens players are Rugby is a perfect fit for the Olympic
of any freedom or restriction often backs or loose forwards in Games; it reinforces the Olympic
brought about by the change. fifteens rugby. movement’s ideals thanks to its
longstanding ethos of fair play and
Keep in touch with law The basics of rugby - running, friendship while the vibrant and
developments at passing, tackling and decision- exciting format of rugby sevens
worldrugby.org/laws making - are key components of appeals to both existing followers of
rugby sevens, as are creating space the sport and a wider sports-loving
and keeping possession of the ball. audience worldwide.

14
 A Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Union

Modified rugby Finding a

A game for all club
The ethos of rugby embraces
Other variations & small-sided games inclusion, and you’re sure to
find a warm welcome at your
local rugby club or indeed any
club anywhere in the world.

Whether it’s for your own

involvement, or because you’d
like to introduce your son or
daughter to the game, your
There are various modified forms of the game which are designed to allow nearest club is the best place to
anyone to play in any circumstances with gradual development of rugby start. Your national union will be
skills, such as running, handling, evasion and support play. able to provide a list of clubs in
your country.
Examples of these variations include tag, touch, tip, flag and beach rugby. As an
example, in tag, players wear tags which hang from a belt. Removal of one of Volunteering in rugby
these tag constitutes a tackle, and the ball carrier must then pass within three One of the most rewarding ways
seconds. to be involved in rugby is as a
volunteer. There are a wide
One of the key attractions of these versions of rugby is that the non-contact range of roles for the volunteer,
nature means that people of all ages, genders and of any fitness level can play ranging from organisation and
together on a variety of surfaces, without the fear of getting hurt. secretarial work through to
ground care and assisting
In addition, the simple rules for all formats of modified rugby, as well as the need coaches and players.
for minimal equipment, make the different game variations an ideal introduction
for beginners wishing to get involved in the sport.

U19 & age-grade

Even after moving to a 15-a-side
game, there are still certain Law
modifications which smooth the
transition to the full version of rugby.
Details of U19 law variations can be
found in the World Rugby Law Book or
on worldrugby.org/laws.

15
World Rugby training and education
Where to go from here Rugby Ready
Activate
World Rugby operates a range of Match Commissioner First Aid In Rugby
Educator
Trainer
Citing Commissioner
training and education programmes 3"'!'*l!#0 All
Master Trainer

designed to help players, coaches, Match day

staff
stakeholders Education
workforce
Match Day Doctor Leadership and
match officials and all stakeholders Advanced Immediate Management
Care In Rugby Medical Administrators Union Management
learn more about rugby union and Immediate Care
practitioners Competency-based Academy
International Sport
In Rugby accreditation Management
become more involved in the game.
Match
Conditioning For Coaches officials Coaching
Rugby Talent-identified -$2!&l!'*1
personnel
For more information, go to Levels 1, 2 Levels 1, 2
2!&l!'2',%
Fifteens
worldrugby.org/passport Levels 1, 2, 3
Sevens High Fifteens
Sevens Levels 1, 2
Performance Level 3
Levels 1, 2 Level 3
Academy

World Rugby Passport - interactive learning websites from World Rugby

Rugby Ready Laws Coaching Officiating

Be prepared • Manage the risks Know the game Technical • Planning Match observation • Panels
worldrugby.org/rugbyready worldrugby.org/laws worldrugby.org/coaching worldrugby.org/officiating

Strength & Conditioning Concussion Management First Aid in Rugby Keep Rugby Clean

Understand physicality Recognise and remove Know how to respond Tackle Doping - Keep Rugby Clean
worldrugby.org/sandc worldrugby.org/concussion worldrugby.org/firstaidinrugby worldrugby.org/keeprugbyclean

A Beginner’s Guide to Rugby Union

WORLD RUGBy
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If you want to know more, contact your local club or national Union or go to worldrugby.org