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Do <b>NOT</b> fill this in!</label> <input type="text" name="wpAntispam" id="wpAntispam" value=""/> </div> <input type="hidden" value="" name="wpSection"/> <input type="hidden" value="20100727125850" name="wpStarttime"/> <input type="hidden" value="20100725204639" name="wpEdittime"/> <input type="hidden" value="" name="wpScrolltop" id="wpScrolltop"/> <input type="hidden" value="d41d8cd98f00b204e9800998ecf8427e" name="wpAutoSummary"/><input type="hidden" value="0" name="oldid"/><textarea tabindex="1" accesskey="," id="wpTextbox1" cols="80" rows="25" style="" name="wpTextbox1">{{For|a more detailed explanation of how rugby union is played|Rugby union gameplay}} {{use dmy dates}} {{Infobox sport | image = New Zealand vs South Africa 2006 Tri Nations Line Out.JPG | imagesize = 300px | caption = South African [[Victor Matfield]] takes a lineout against New Zealand in 2006. | union = [[International Rugby Board]] | nickname = Rugger<ref>{{cite book |title=British language & culture |publisher=[[Lonely Planet]] |first=David |last=Else |year=2007 |edition=2nd |page=97 |isbn=186450286X}}</ref> | first = Early 19th century (early forms)<br />1845 (first written rules) | registered = | clubs = | contact = [[Contact sport#Full-contact|Full Contact]] | team = 15 | mgender = Separate competitions | category = [[Team sport]], Outdoor | equipment = [[Football (ball)#Rugby union|Rugby ball]] | venue = | olympic = [[Rugby union at the 1900 Summer Olympics|1900]], [[Rugby union at the 1908 Summer Olympics|1908]], [[Rugby union at the 1920 Summer Olympics|1920]] & [[Rugby union at the 1924 Summer Olympics|1924]] }} '''Rugby union''', or simply '''Rugby''', is a [[Contact sport#Full-contact|full contact]] team sport, a form of football which originated in England in the early 19th century.<ref>[http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/originsofrugby.htm#2 Origins of Rugby – Codification]—"The innovation of running with the ball was introduced some time between 1820 and 1830."</ref> One of the codes of [[rugby football]], it is based on running with the ball in hand. It is played with an oval-shaped [[rugby ball|ball]], outdoors on a level field, usually with a grass surface, up to {{convert|100|m|ft}} long and {{convert|70|m|ft}} wide.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irb.com/mm/Document/LawsRegs/0/Law2EN_7708.pdf |title=Intro EN |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref><ref name="pitch size">{{cite web|url=http://www.irb.com/mm/Document/LawsRegs/0/Law1EN_7709.pdf |title=Intro EN |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref> On each goal line are H-shaped goal posts. ==Introduction== [[William Webb Ellis]] is often credited with the invention of running with the ball in hand in 1823 at [[Rugby School]] when he allegedly caught the ball while playing football and ran towards the opposition goal. Although the evidence to support the Ellis story is doubtful, it was immortalised at the school with a [[commemorative plaque|plaque]] unveiled in 1895.<ref>[http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/low/rugby_union/6255164.stm William Webb Ellis – fact or fiction?] bbc.co.uk</ref> In 1848, the first rules were written by pupils;<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/originsofrugby.htm#3 |title=Early Rules |publisher=Rugbyfootballhistory.com |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref> other significant events in the early development of rugby include the [[Blackheath F.C.|Blackheath Club]]'s decision to leave [[the Football Association]] in 1863 and the split between rugby union and [[rugby league]] in 1895. The [[International Rugby Board]] (IRB) has been the governing body for rugby union since its formation in 1886. Currently, 115 national unions are members of the IRB. In 1995, the IRB removed restrictions on payments to players, making the game openly professional at the highest level for the first time. The [[Rugby World Cup]], first held in 1987, takes place every four years, with the winner of the tournament receiving the [[Webb Ellis Cup]]. The [[Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] in Europe and the [[Tri Nations (rugby union)|Tri Nations]] in the southern hemisphere are major international competitions held annually. Major domestic competitions include the [[Top 14]] in France, the [[English Premiership (rugby union)|Aviva Premiership]] in England, the [[Currie Cup]] in South Africa, and the [[ITM Cup]] in New Zealand. Other ''transnational'' competitions include the [[Magners League]], involving Irish, Scottish and Welsh teams (and Italian teams from 2010–11); the [[Super Rugby|Super 14]] (to become the Super 15 in 2011), involving South African, Australian and New Zealand teams; and the [[Heineken Cup]], involving the top European teams from their respective domestic competitions. ==History== {{Main|History of rugby union}} [[File:Rugby School 850.jpg|box|thumb|[[Rugby School]] in [[Rugby, Warwickshire]], with a rugby football pitch in the foreground]] The origin of rugby football is reputed to be an incident during a game of [[English public school football games|English school football]] at Rugby School in 1823 when William Webb-Ellis is said to have picked up the ball and run with it.<ref>{{cite web|title = Webb Ellis, William|url = http://www.rugbyfootballhistory.com/webb-ellis.html|accessdate = 14 September 2009}}</ref> Although this tale is apocryphal, the Rugby World Cup trophy is named after him. Rugby football stems from the form of game played at Rugby School, which old pupils initially took to university; Old Rugbeian [[Albert Pell]], a student at Cambridge, is credited with having formed the first 'football' team.<ref name="Marshall13">Marshall (1951), pg 13.</ref> During this early period different schools used different rules, with former pupils from Rugby and [[Eton College|Eton]] attempting to carry their preferred rules through to their universities.<ref name="Marshall13-14">Marshall (1951), pg 13–14.</ref> Significant events in the early development of rugby football were the production of the first set of written laws at Rugby School in 1845, the Blackheath Club's decision to leave the Football Association in 1863<ref name="Godwin10">Godwin (1981), pg 10.</ref> and the formation of the Rugby Football Union in 1871.<ref name="Godwin10"/> The code was originally known simply as "rugby football"; it was not until after a schism in 1895, which resulted in the separate code of [[rugby league]], that the name "rugby union" came to be used for the game itself. Supporters of both codes will frequently refer to theirs as merely "rugby" or "rugby football", unless they are differentiating between the two. The [[1870-71 Home Nations rugby union matches|first rugby football international]] took place on 27 March 1871, played between England and Scotland.<ref>Godwin, p10</ref> By 1881 both Ireland and Wales had representative teams, and in 1883 the first international competition, the [[Six Nations Championship|Home Nations Championship]] had begun. 1883 also saw the first [[rugby sevens]] tournament at [[Melrose, Scotland|Melrose]]—the [[Melrose Sevens]],<ref name="Godwin12">Godwin (1981), pg 12.</ref> which is still held annually. Five years later two important overseas tours took place; a [[1888 British Lions tour to New Zealand and Australia|British Isles]] team visited Australia and New Zealand—although a private venture, it laid the foundations for future [[British and Irish Lions]] tours; and the [[1888–1889 New Zealand Native football team|1888 New Zealand Native team]] brought the first overseas team to British spectators. From 1905 through to 1907, all three major Southern Hemisphere rugby countries sent their first touring teams to the Northern Hemisphere; [[Dave Gallaher]]'s [[The Original All Blacks|New Zealand]] in 1905, followed by [[Paul Roos (rugby player)|Paul Roos']] [[1906-07 South Africa rugby union tour|South Africa]] in 1906 and then [[Herbert Moran]]'s [[1908-09 Australia rugby union tour of Britain|Australia]]. All three teams brought new styles of play, fitness levels and tactics,<ref name="Godwin, p18">Godwin, p18</ref> and were far more successful than critics at first believed. 1905 also saw the first French internationals.<ref name="Godwin, p18"/> The years during the First World War saw an end of international rugby union games and union-sponsored club matches, but competitions continued with service teams such as the New Zealand Army team.<ref>Godwin, (1981) p19</ref> The Second World War saw an end of international matches from most countries, though Italy, Germany and Romania played a limited number of games,<ref>[http://www.scrum.com/italy/rugby/match/19590.html Italy tour – Bucharest, 14 April 1940] Romania vs Italy, Scrum.com</ref><ref>[http://www.scrum.com/italy/rugby/match/19591.html Italy tour – Stuttgart, 5 May 1940] Germany vs Italy, Scrum.com</ref><ref>[http://www.scrum.com/italy/rugby/match/19592.html Romania tour – Milan, 2 May 1942] Italy vs Romania, Scrum.com</ref> and Cambridge and Oxford continued their annual University Match.<ref>Godwin, (1981) p22</ref> In 1973 the first officially sanctioned international sevens tournament took place at Murrayfield, as part of the [[Scottish Rugby Union]] centenary celebrations.<ref>[http://www.scotland.org/about/entertainment-and-sport/features/culture/scottish-rugby.html Try and Try again] Scotland.org</ref> In 1987 the first Rugby World Cup was held in New Zealand and Australia, and the inaugural winners were New Zealand. The first World Cup Sevens tournament was held at Murrayfield in 1993. Rugby union was an amateur sport until the IRB declared the game 'open' in 1995, removing restrictions on payments to players.<ref name=Stubbs3>Stubbs, p118</ref> However, the pre-1995 period of rugby union was marked by frequent accusations of "[[shamateurism]]",<ref>{{cite web|title = ONTARIO: The Shamateurs|url = http://www.time.com/time/magazine/article/0,9171,804253,00.html|work=Time.com|date=29 September 1947|accessdate = 6 February 2010}}</ref> including an investigation in Britain by a House of Commons Select committee.<ref>{{cite web|title = History of Rugby Union|url = http://www.talkrugbyunion.co.uk/guides/history_of_rugby_union.html|accessdate = 6 February 2010}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|title = The Amateur Era|url = http://www.rfu.com/microsites/museum/page.aspx?section=111&sectionTitle=The+Amateur+Era|accessdate = 6 February 2010}}</ref> ==Laws== {{Main|Rugby union gameplay}} [[File:Ireland vs Georgia, Rugby World Cup 2007 line up.jpg|thumb|[[Ireland national rugby union team|Ireland]] and [[Georgia national rugby union team|Georgia]] contesting a lineout in the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]]]] [[File:Scrum-1.JPG|thumb|A [[scrum (rugby)|scrum]]]] [[File:Tackle.JPG|thumb|A rugby tackle: tackles must be below the neck with the aim of impeding or grounding the player with the ball]] Rugby union is played between two teams, each of which starts the match with 15 players on the field. During the match, players may be replaced (for injury) or substituted (for tactical reasons). A player who has been replaced may not rejoin play unless he was temporarily replaced to have bleeding controlled; a player who has been substituted may return temporarily, to replace a player who has a blood injury, or permanently, if he is replacing a front-row forward.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irb.com/mm/document/lawsregs/0/090729sgsmlaw3_8811.pdf |title=Law 3 Number of Players |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref> In international matches, up to seven replacements are allowed; in domestic or cross-border tournaments, at the discretion of the responsible national union(s), the number may be increased to eight, of whom three must be sufficiently trained and experienced to provide cover for the three front row positions.<ref name="Uncontested">{{cite web|url=http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2033086.html#irb+acts+uncontested+scrums |title=IRB acts on uncontested scrums |publisher=[[International Rugby Board|IRB]] |date=2009-08-19 |accessdate=2009-09-23}}</ref> Players in a team are divided into eight [[Rugby union positions#Forwards|forwards]] (two more than in [[rugby league]]) and seven [[Rugby union positions#Backs|backs]]. Forwards are generally bigger and stronger, and take part in the scrum and lineout, while backs are generally smaller but faster, more agile and often the main points scorers for the team. Points can be scored in several ways: a [[try]], scored by grounding the ball in the in-goal area, is worth 5 points and a subsequent conversion kick scores 2 points; a successful penalty kick or a [[drop goal]] each score 3 points.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irb.com/mm/Document/LawsRegs/0/Law9EN_7703.pdf |title=Intro EN |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref> The values of each of these scoring methods have been changed over the years. The team which scores more points wins the game. At the beginning of the game, the captains and the referee toss a coin to decide which team will kick off first. Play then starts with a drop kick, with the players chasing the ball into the opposition's territory, and the other side trying to retrieve the ball and advance it back. If the player with the ball is tackled, frequently a [[Playing rugby union#Ruck|ruck]] will result.<ref name=Midgley3>Midgley, p394</ref> Forward passing (throwing the ball ahead to another player) is not allowed. The ball tends to be moved forward in three ways—by kicking, by a player running with it, or within a scrum or [[Playing rugby union#Maul|maul]]). Unlike in American football, "blocking" is not allowed, so only the player with the ball may be tackled or rucked. When a ball is knocked forward by a player with his/her arms, a "knock-on" is committed, and play is restarted with a scrum. When the ball leaves the side of the field, a lineout is awarded against the team which last touched the ball. A number of players from both teams line up, at least 5m from the sideline, and the ball is thrown in by the hooker. Lineouts are one of the chief differences between the two rugby codes, as they do not occur in rugby league. Games are divided into 40-minute halves, with a break in the middle. The sides exchange ends of the field after the half-time break. Stoppages for injury or to allow the referee to take disciplinary action, do not count as part of the playing time, so that the elapsed time is usually longer than 80 minutes. Unlike in many other sports, there are no "[[Time-out (sport)#Gridiron football|time out]]s". The referee is responsible for keeping time, even when—as in many professional tournaments—he is assisted by an official time-keeper. If time expires while the ball is in play, the game continues until the ball is 'dead', and only then will the referee blow the whistle to signal half-time or full-time; but if the referee awards a penalty or free-kick, the game continues.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugby365.com/laws_referees/laws/578937.htm |title=Law 5 - Time |date= 22 January 2007|accessdate=9 July 2010}}</ref> The field of play on a rugby pitch is as near as possible to a maximum of 100m long, and 70m wide. There are several lines crossing it, notably the half way line, the goal line/try line (on which the goal posts are located), the "twenty two", which is 22m from the goal, and the dead ball line, which can be anywhere between 10m and 22m behind the goal line.<ref name="pitch size"/> Tries are scored between the goal line, and the dead ball line. A ball over the dead ball line is out of play. Rugby goalposts are H-shaped, and consist of two poles, 5.6m apart, connected by a horizontal crossbar 3m above the ground. Unlike some other sports there are no goalkeepers, and the section underneath the crossbar has no special meaning. The original pitch dimensions were in [[imperial units]], but have since been converted to the [[metric system]]. There are generally three match officials: a referee, and two touch judges, who indicate that the ball is "in touch" and other decisions with their flags. In addition, for matches in high level competitions, there is often a television match official (TMO; popularly called the "video referee"), to assist with certain decisions, linked up to the referee by radio.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irblaws.com/downloads/EN/law_6_en.pdf |title=Intro EN |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref> The referees have a system of hand signals to indicate their decisions. Common offences include tackling above the shoulders, collapsing a scrum, ruck or maul, not releasing the ball when on the ground, or being off-side. The non-offending team has a number of options when awarded a penalty: a "tap" kick, when the ball is kicked a very short distance from hand, allowing the kicker to regather the ball and run with it; a punt, when the ball is kicked a long distance from hand, for field position; a place-kick, when the kicker will attempt to score a goal; or a scrum. Players may be sent off (signalled by a [[Penalty card#Red card|red card]]) or temporarily suspended ("sin-binned") for ten minutes ([[Penalty card#Yellow card|yellow card]]) for foul play or repeated infringements, and may not be replaced. ==Equipment== [[File:Scott Daruda Conversion.JPG|thumb|left|A professional player ([[Scott Daruda]] of the Western Australian team, [[Western Force]]) wearing an elaborate [[scrum cap]]]] The most basic items of equipment for a game of rugby union are the ball itself, a rugby shirt (also known as a "jersey"), [[rugby shorts]], socks, and boots, which have soles with studs to allow grip on the turf of the pitch. The studs may be either metal or plastic but must not have any sharp edges or ridges. Protective equipment is optional and strictly regulated. The most common items are [[Mouthguard|mouthguards]], which are worn by almost all players, and are compulsory in some rugby-playing nations.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.coachingtoolbox.co.nz/toolbox/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=239&Itemid=161 |title=Protect Your Assets: Mouthguards |date= |accessdate=2010-05-30}}</ref> Other protective items that are permitted include [[scrum cap|protective head gear]], thin (not more than 10mm thick) non-rigid shoulder pads, and [[shin guard]]s, which are worn underneath socks. Bandages or tape can be worn to support or protect injuries; some players wear tape around the head to protect the ears in scrums and rucks. Female players may also wear chest pads.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irblaws.com/downloads/EN/law_4_en.pdf |title=Intro EN |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irb.com/mm/document/lawsregs/0/regulation12090603_8287.pdf |title=Regulation 12 Provisions relating to player dress |format=PDF |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref> Fingerless gloves (grip gloves) are sometimes worn to improve players' grip on the ball. It is the responsibility of the match officials to check players' clothing and equipment before a game to ensure that it conforms to the laws of the game. {{-}} ==Governing bodies== {{See also|International Rugby Board|Timeline of foundation of national rugby unions}} The international governing body of rugby union (and associated games such as sevens) is the [[International Rugby Board]] (IRB). The IRB headquarters are located in [[Dublin]], Ireland. Six continental associations, which are members of the IRB form the next level of administration; these are: * [[Confederation of African Rugby]] (CAR) * [[Asian Rugby Football Union]] (ARFU) * [[North American and Caribbean Rugby Association]] (NACRA) * [[FIRA - Association of European Rugby|Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur – Association Européenne de Rugby]] (FIRA-AER) * [[Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions]] (FORU) * [[Confederación Sudamericana de Rugby]] (South American Rugby Confederation) (CONSUR) [[SANZAR]] (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia Rugby) is a joint venture of the [[South African Rugby Union]], the [[New Zealand Rugby Union]] and the [[Australian Rugby Union]], which operates the [[Super Rugby|Super 15]] and [[Tri Nations (rugby union)|Tri Nations]] competitions. National unions oversee rugby union within individual countries. These are affiliated both to the IRB and with their respective regional association. ==Global reach== [[File:URBA Finals.jpg|thumb|upright|left|[[URBA]] Rugby 2007 Finals]] [[File:Germany vs Belgium rugby match .jpg|thumb|Germany playing [[Belgium national rugby union team|Belgium]]]] [[File:Walers Japan Rugby World Cup 2007 09 20 supporters1.jpg|thumb|Japanese and Welsh rugby fans in [[Cardiff]], Wales]] Rugby union has established itself as a popular sport for both spectators and participants, particularly in [[Rugby union in Australia|Australia]], [[Rugby union in Argentina|Argentina]], [[Rugby union in the Cook Islands|Cook Islands]], [[Rugby union in England|England]], [[Rugby union in Fiji|Fiji]], [[Rugby union in France|France]], [[Rugby union in Georgia|Georgia]], [[Rugby union in Ireland|Ireland]], [[Rugby union in Italy|Italy]], [[Rugby union in Japan|Japan]], [[Rugby union in Madagascar|Madagascar]], [[Rugby union in New Zealand|New Zealand]], [[Rugby union in Niue|Niue]], [[Rugby union in Namibia|Namibia]], [[Rugby union in Romania|Romania]], [[Rugby union in Samoa|Samoa]], [[Rugby union in Scotland|Scotland]], [[Rugby union in the Solomon Islands|Solomon Islands]], [[Rugby union in South Africa|South Africa]], [[Rugby union in Tonga|Tonga]], and [[Rugby union in Wales|Wales]].<ref name=Encarta>Encarta (1997)</ref><ref name=Stubbs1>Stubbs (2009)</ref> Other places with lasting traditions in rugby football, as a minority sport in most cases, include [[Rugby union in Andorra|Andorra]], [[Rugby union in Barbados|Barbados]], [[Rugby union in Belgium|Belgium]], [[Rugby union in Bermuda|Bermuda]], [[Rugby union in Brazil|Brazil]], [[Rugby union in Canada|Canada]], [[Rugby union in Chile|Chile]], [[Rugby union in Côte d'Ivoire|Côte d'Ivoire]], [[Rugby union in the Czech Republic|Czech Republic]], Denmark, [[Rugby union in Germany|Germany]], [[Rugby union in Hong Kong|Hong Kong]], [[Rugby union in India|India]], [[Rugby union in Kenya|Kenya]], [[Rugby union in Malaysia|Malaysia]], [[Rugby union in Moldova|Moldova]], [[Rugby union in Morocco|Morocco]], [[Rugby union in the Netherlands|The Netherlands]], [[Rugby union in Pakistan|Pakistan]], [[Rugby union in Papua New Guinea|Papua New Guinea]], [[Rugby union in Paraguay|Paraguay]], [[Rugby union in Poland|Poland]], [[Rugby union in Portugal|Portugal]], [[Rugby union in Russia|Russia]], [[Rugby union in Singapore|Singapore]], [[Rugby union in South Korea|South Korea]], [[Rugby union in Spain|Spain]], [[Rugby union in Sri Lanka|Sri Lanka]], [[Rugby union in Tunisia|Tunisia]], [[Rugby union in Uganda|Uganda]], [[Rugby union in Ukraine|Ukraine]], [[Rugby union in Uruguay|Uruguay]], the [[Rugby union in the United States|United States]], [[Rugby union in Venezuela|Venezuela]], [[Rugby union in Zambia|Zambia]], and [[Rugby union in Zimbabwe|Zimbabwe]]. In April 2010 [[Rugby union in Lithuania|Lithuania]] broke the record of consecutive international wins previously held by New Zealand and South Africa,<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/news/newsid=2036957.html |title=Lithuania bid for World record test run |publisher=IRB |date=16 April 2010 |accessdate=30 Mayy 2010}}</ref> with their 18th win in a match against [[Rugby union in Serbia|Serbia]].<ref>[http://www.scrum.com/statsguru/rugby/team/90.html?class=1;template=results;type=team;view=results Lithuania team statistics from Scrum.com] Statistics showing eighteen consecutive wins between October 2006 and April 2010]</ref> The United States are the most recent Olympic gold medalists; an American team stacked with [[American football]] players won the event at the Paris Olympics in [[Rugby union at the 1924 Summer Olympics|1924]], which was the last year rugby union was played at the games.<ref name="Godwin246">Godwin (1981), pg 246.</ref> Large numbers of players are active in North America, and the USA regularly qualify for World Cups, while [[Canada national rugby union team|Canada]] has participated at every World Cup.<ref>[http://www.rugbycanada.ca/leagues/custom_page.cfm?clientid=3817&leagueid=0&pageid=4382 Rugby Canada: History of Rugby Canada]</ref><ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/4788663.stm |title=Canada book Wales RWC encounter |publisher=BBC.co.uk |date=13 August 2006 |accessdate=7 February 2010}}</ref> Japan, also a country with many registered players, will host the [[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019 World Cup]].<ref name="2015 bid">{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8170488.stm | title=England will host 2015 World Cup | work=BBC Sport | author= | date=28 July 2009 | accessdate=7 February 2010}}</ref> It will be the first country outside of traditional playing areas to host the event, and is viewed by the IRB as an opportunity for rugby union to extend its reach,<ref name="2015 bid"/> particularly in Asia. Previously, Japan unsuccessfully bid to host the [[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011 tournament]], narrowly losing to selected host New Zealand.<ref>{{cite web | url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/international/4433818.stm | title=New Zealand handed 2011 World Cup | work=BBC Sport | author= | date=17 November 2005 | accessdate=7 February 2010}}</ref> The [[International Rugby Board]] (IRB), founded in 1886, governs the sport worldwide and also publishes the game's [http://www.irb.com/EN/Laws+and+Regulations/ laws] and [[IRB World Rankings|rankings]]. There are currently 95 full members<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.irb.com/rankings/full.html |title=IRB World Rankings |publisher=IRB.com |date=1 February 2010 |accessdate=7 February 2010}}</ref> and eight associate member countries. According to IRB figures, rugby union is played in over 100 countries spanning six continents by men and women of all ages.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.irb.com/aboutirb/organisation/index.html |title=IRB Organisation |publisher=IRB.com |date= |accessdate=7 February 2010}}</ref> The IRB controls the [[Rugby World Cup]], the [[Women's Rugby World Cup]], [[Rugby World Cup Sevens]], [[IRB Sevens World Series]], [[IRB Junior World Championship|Junior World Championship]], [[IRB Junior World Rugby Trophy|Junior World Trophy]], [[IRB Nations Cup|Nations Cup]] and the [[Pacific Nations Cup]]. It holds votes to decide where all of these events shall be held, except in the case of the Sevens World Series. For that competition, the IRB contracts with several national unions to hold individual events. ==Women's rugby union== {{Main|Women's rugby union}} [[File:Women's Rugby Mark.jpg|thumb|US women's rugby: NC Hustlers vs. Midwest II]] Records of women's rugby football go back to the late 19th century, with the first documented source being Emily Valentine's writings, stating that she set up a rugby team in [[Portora Royal School]] in Enniskillen, Ireland in 1887.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irishrugby.ie/23_19440.php |title=Emily Valentine: First Lady Of Irish And World Rugby|work= IrishRugby.ie |format= |date=20 January 2010 |accessdate=7 February 2010}}</ref> Although there are reports of early women's matches in New Zealand and France, one of the first notable games to prove primary evidence was the 1917 war-time encounter between Cardiff Ladies and Newport Ladies; a photo of which shows the Cardiff team before the match at the [[Cardiff Arms Park]].<ref>{{cite book |last=Davies |first=D.E. |coauthors= |title=Cardiff Rugby Club, History and Statistics 1876–1975 |year=1975 |publisher=The Starling Press |location=Risca|pages=70–71 |isbn=0950442100}}</ref> In the past 30 years the game has grown in popularity among female athletes, and, according to England's RFU, is now played in over 80 countries. The English [[Rugby Football Union for Women]] (RFUW) was founded in 1983, and is the oldest formally organised national governing body for women's rugby.<ref name=Stubbs1/> ==Major international competitions== {{see details|List of rugby union competitions}} [[File:Coupe du monde rugby - tour Eiffel.JPG|thumb|A giant rugby ball is suspended from the [[Eiffel Tower]] to commemorate France's hosting of the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]]]] The most important tournament in rugby union is the [[Rugby World Cup]], a men's tournament that takes place every four years among the elite national rugby union teams. [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] is the current holder, winning the [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007 tournament]] held in France. They beat 2003 winners England in the final; no World Cup winner has yet retained the trophy. England were the first team from the Northern Hemisphere to win, the previous champions being New Zealand (1987), Australia (1991 and 1999), South Africa (1995 and 2007). Major international competitions are the [[Six Nations Championship]] and the [[Tri Nations (rugby union)|Tri Nations Series]], held in the northern and southern hemispheres respectively. The [[Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] is an annual competition involving the European teams {{nrut|England}}, {{nrut|France}}, {{nrut|Ireland}}, {{nrut|Italy}}, {{nrut|Scotland}} and {{nrut|Wales}}. Each country plays the other five once. After the initial internationals between England and Scotland, the 1880s saw Ireland and Wales begin competing, forming the ''Home International Championships''. France joined the tournament in the 1900s and in 1910 the term ''Five Nations'' first appeared. However, the [[Home Nations]] (England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales) excluded France in 1931 amid a run of poor results, allegations of professionalism (rugby union was officially amateur until 1995) and concerns over on-field violence. France then rejoined in 1939–1940, though World War II halted proceedings for a further eight years. France has played in all the tournaments since WWII, the first of which was played in 1947. In 2000, Italy became the sixth nation in the contest and Rome's [[Stadio Flaminio]], where their games are played, is the smallest venue in the tournament. France are the reigning Six Nations champions, having won a Grand Slam by a final 12–10 victory over England on 20 March 2010.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8578551.stm |title=Marc Lievremont praises Grand Slam-winning French team |publisher=BBC Sport |date=2010-03-20 |accessdate=2010-03-23}}</ref> The [[Tri Nations (rugby union)|Tri Nations]] is an annual international series held between the southern hemisphere teams of {{nrut|Australia}}, {{nrut|New Zealand}} and {{nrut|South Africa}}. These teams have dominated world rankings in recent years and some consider the Tri Nations to be the toughest competition in international rugby. <ref>http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/Boks-face-aerial-bombardment-20100630</ref> The Tri Nations was initially played on a home and away basis with the three nations playing each other twice. In 2006 a new system was introduced where each nation plays the others three times, though in 2007 the teams played each other only twice, as it was a World Cup year. Especially since {{nrut|Argentina}}'s strong performances in the 2007 World Cup, a number of commentators believed they should join the Tri-Nations.<ref>{{Cite news|title = Argentina invited to join Tri-Nations series|publisher = CNN|date = 14 September 2009}}</ref> This was first seriously proposed for the 2008 tournament,<ref name="Argentina deal">{{cite news|url=http://timesonline.co.uk/tol/sport/rugby/article1434537.ece |title=Ambitious Argentina poised to secure TriNations place |publisher=The Sunday Times |first=Nick |last=Cain |date=2007-02-25 |accessdate=2007-02-26}}</ref> then for 2010,<ref name="Pumas delayed">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyrugby.com/tournaments/tri_nations/story_13807145000.php |title=Pumas will stay crouched until 2010 |publisher=RugbyRugby.com |date=2007-08-13 |accessdate=2007-10-11}}</ref> but came much closer to reality after the 2009 Tri Nations tournament, when SANZAR (South Africa, New Zealand and Australian Rugby) extended an official invitation to the Unión Argentina de Rugby (UAR) to join an expanded Four Nations tournament in 2012. This move has generally been met with great approval from all parties involved.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2033716.html |title=International Rugby Board – IRB welcomes Argentina Four Nations Invite |publisher=Irb.com |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugby365.com/news/1922820.htm |title=news Argentina to make it the Four Nations |publisher=www.rugby365.com |date= |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref> The invitation is subject to certain conditions, like the guaranteed availability of Argentina's top players, most of whom play professional club rugby in Europe at present. Amidst all the international competitions there are also various Test matches and series, often as part of tours by national teams, which generally take place from September to December and from June to August. ===Olympic rugby union=== {{Main|Rugby union at the Summer Olympics}} Rugby union was played at the Olympic Games in 1900, 1908, 1920 and 1924. As per Olympic rules, the nations of Scotland, Wales and England were not allowed to play separately as they are not sovereign states. Rugby sevens has been played at the [[Commonwealth Rugby Sevens Championships|Commonwealth Games]] since 1998 and on 9 October 2009, the [[International Olympic Committee]] voted with a majority of 81 to 8 that rugby union be reinstated as an Olympic sport in at least the [[2016 Summer Olympics|2016]] and [[2020 Summer Olympics|2020]] games, but in the sevens, 4-day tournament format.<ref name="I.O.C. Decision">{{cite news|url=http://www.nytimes.com/2009/08/14/sports/14sports.html |title=I.O.C. Decision Draws Cheers and Complaints From Athletes |publisher=The New York Times |first=Jeff |last=Klein |date=2009-08-13 |accessdate=2009-08-13}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://cbs11tv.com/sports/golf.rugby.olympics.2.1238472.html |title=Olympics At Summer Games In Rio de Janeiro Reinstated As Olympic Sport |publisher=cbs11tv.com |date=2009-10-09 |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref> This is something the rugby world has aspired to for a long time and Bernard Lapasset, president of the International Rugby Board, said the Olympic gold medal would be considered to be "the pinnacle of our sport" (Rugby Sevens).<ref>{{cite web|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/olympic_games/8292584.stm |title=BBC SPORT &#124; Olympics &#124; Golf & rugby voted into Olympics |publisher=BBC News |date=2009-10-09 |accessdate=2010-02-06}}</ref> ===Women's international rugby=== {{Main|Women's international rugby union}} Women's international rugby union began in 1982, with a match between [[France women's national rugby union team|France]] and [[Netherlands women's national rugby union team|Netherlands]] played in [[Utrecht (city)|Utrecht]].<ref>[http://www.rfu.com/microsites/museum/page.aspx?section=89&sectionTitle=World+Rugby+Chronology World Rugby Chronology] RFU.com</ref> Over six hundred women's internationals have been played by over forty different nations. The first [[Women's Rugby World Cup]] was held in Wales [[1991 Women's Rugby World Cup|in 1991]], and was won by the [[United States women's national rugby union team|United States]]. The second tournament took place in [[1994 Women's Rugby World Cup|1994]], and since that date the competition has been held every four years. The New Zealand Women's team have won the last three World Cups ([[1998 Women's Rugby World Cup|1998]], [[2002 Women's Rugby World Cup|2002]], [[2006 Women's Rugby World Cup|2006]]).. As well as the Women's Rugby World Cup there are also other regular tournaments, including a [[Women's Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]], run in parallel to the men's competition. ==Variants== [[File:Spielszene BK.jpg|thumb|Beach Rugby match]] Besides the full-contact, 15-a-side code, other variants exist: * [[Rugby sevens]] (7's, or VIIs), is a fast-paced variant which originated in [[Melrose, Scotland|Melrose]], Scotland in 1883. In rugby sevens, there are only 7 players per side, and each half is normally 7 minutes. Major tournaments include the [[Hong Kong Sevens]] and [[Dubai Sevens]], both held in areas not normally associated with the highest levels of the 15-a-side game. * [[Touch rugby]], in which "tackles" are made by simply touching the ball carrier with two hands. * [[Tag Rugby]], in which the participants wear a belt with two [[Velcro]] tags, the removal of either counting as a 'tackle'. * [[Mini rugby]], also known as "New Image Rugby", which originated in England, is a variety mainly used to coach children.<ref name=Rutherford1>{{cite book |last=Rutherford |first=Don |title=The Complete Book of Mini Rugby |publisher=Partridge |year=1993 |location=London |page=2 |url= |isbn=1852251964 }}</ref> * [[Rugby tens]] (10's or Xs), a Malaysian variant with ten players per side.<ref name=Completerugby1>Bath, p71</ref> * [[American Flag Rugby]], (AFR), like mini rugby, is a mixed gender, non-contact imitation of [[Rugby Union]] designed for American children entering grades K-9.<ref>[http://www.americanflagrugby.com/about-afr.php About AFR] americanflagrugby.com</ref> Other less formal variants include [[beach rugby]], [[snow rugby]], and [[street rugby]]. ==Influence on other sports== {{See also|History of American football|Comparison of American football and rugby union|Origins of Australian football|Comparison of rugby league and rugby union}} [[File:Fielding Yost-1902.jpg|thumb|250px|A game of [[American football]] between the [[University of Michigan]] and the [[University of Minnesota]] (1902). Earlier forms of the game had a more obvious kinship with their rugby equivalents.]] Rugby union football, and its immediate ancestor rugby football, has had a strong influence on several other sports. The [[Gridiron football|Gridiron codes]], [[American football]]<ref name=Completerugby2>Bath p77</ref><ref name=Stubbs>[[Ray Stubbs|Stubbs, Ray]], ''The Sports Book'', p115</ref> and [[Canadian football]],<ref name=CanFitba1>"Rugby football" in ''[[Encyclopedia Canadiana]]'', p110</ref> are derived from early forms of rugby. Confusingly, in Canada, [[Canadian football]] has also frequently been referred to as "[[rugby football]]",<ref name=CanFitba1/> and a number of national and provincial bodies were called "Rugby Football Unions" or "Rugby Unions", such as the [[Ontario Rugby Football Union|Ontario]] and [[Quebec Rugby Football Union|Quebec]] Rugby Football Unions.<ref name=CanFitba1/> For example, in the ''[[Encyclopedia Canadiana]]'', the entry ''Rugby Football'' begins by referring to "the Canadian development of rugby union or "English rugger" introduced into Canada in the third quarter of the nineteenth century", but later states that "the Canadian game is a radical departure from rugby union".<ref name=CanFitba1/> [[Australian rules football]] has been influenced by a large number of sports, including [[Gaelic football]], rugby football and [[cricket]]. Many authors believe that the primary influence was [[rugby football]] and other [[English public school football games|other games originating in English public schools]].<ref name="See 1991, pp. 49-50">[[Geoffrey Blainey]], [[Leonie Sandercock]], Ian Turner and [[Sean Fagan]] have all written in support of this view. See, for example: Richard Davis, 1991, "Irish and Australian Nationalism: the Sporting Connection: Football & Cricket", ''Centre for Tasmanian Historical Studies Bulletin'', v.3, no.2, pp. 49–50 and; B. W. O'Dwyer, 1989, "The Shaping of Victorian Rules Football", ''Victorian Historical Journal'', v.60, no.1.</ref> [[Tom Wills]], the founding father of Australian Rules, also attended [[Rugby School]]. [[Swedish football (code)|Swedish football]] was a code whose rules were a mix of the [[Laws of the Game (association football)|association football rules]] and the [[rugby football|rugby football rules]]. Some played the game with a round ball, while others played with an oval ball.<ref name="jönsson203">{{cite book |last=Jönsson |first=Åke |title=Fotboll: hur världens största sport växte fram |year=2006 |publisher=Historiska media |location=Lund |isbn=91-85377-48-1 |page=203}}</ref> It is no longer played. Rugby lends its name to [[wheelchair rugby]] (also known as "quad rugby" or "murderball"), but the sport is more strongly influenced by [[wheelchair basketball]], [[ice hockey]] and [[Team handball|handball]] than rugby union. Likewise, the sport of [[underwater rugby]], is related to rugby in little more than name. In addition, rugby union as a descendant of [[rugby football]] shares a common ancestry with [[rugby league]] . ==See also== {{Portal|Rugby union}} {{Wikinewscat|Rugby}} * [[International Rugby Hall of Fame]] * [[IRB Hall of Fame]] * [[List of international rugby union teams]] * [[List of oldest rugby union competitions]] * [[List of rugby union terms]] * [[Experimental law variations]] * [[Rugby union positions]] * [[Rugby union equipment]] * [[Comparison of rugby league and rugby union]] ==References== {{Reflist|colwidth=30em}} ===Printed sources=== * {{cite book |last=|first=|coauthors= |title=[[Encyclopedia Canadiana]] vol. 8|year=1972 |publisher=Grolier of Canada|location=Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal|isbn=0717216012}} * {{cite book | editor-last = Bath | editor-first = Richard | date = 1997 | title = Complete Book of Rugby | publisher = Seven Oaks Ltd | ISBN = 1862000133}} * {{cite book |last=Godwin |first=Terry |coauthors=Rhys, Chris |title=The Guinness Book of Rugby Facts & Feats |year=1981 |publisher=Guinness Superlatives Ltd |location=Enfield|isbn=0851122140}} * Griffiths, John (1987). ''The Phoenix Book of International Rugby Records. London'': Phoenix House. p.&nbsp;5:3. ISBN 0460070037. * {{cite book |last=Marshall |first=Howard |coauthors= Jordon, J.P. |title=Oxford v Cambridge, The Story of the University Rugby Match |year=1951 |publisher=Clerke & Cockeran|location=London |isbn=}} * {{cite book| last = Midgley| first = Ruth| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = The Official World Encyclopedia of Sports and Games| publisher = Diagram Group| year = 1979| location = London| pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 0-7092-0153-2}} * {{cite book| last = Richards| first = Huw| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = A Game for Hooligans: The History of Rugby Union| publisher = [[Mainstream Publishing]]| year = 2007| location = Edinburgh| pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 978-1845962555}} * {{cite book| last = Stubbs| first = Ray| authorlink = | coauthors = | title = The Sports Book| publisher = [[Dorling Kindersley]]| year = 2009| location = | pages = | url = | doi = | id = | isbn = 978-1405336970}} ===Electronic sources=== * {{cite web | url=http://www.irblaws.com/EN/ | title=IRB Laws of Rugby Union 2009 | year=2009 |accessdate=2009-09-24 | publisher=irb.com | format=PDF}} * {{cite web| url=http://www.irb.com/lawregulations/regulations/index.html |title=IRB Regulations |publisher=irb.com |accessdate=2009-09-24 | format=PDF}} * "Rugby Football," in ''Microsoft(R) [[Encarta]](R) 97 Encyclopedia'' ([[CD-ROM]]) 1993–1996 [[Microsoft Corporation]]. (Reviewed by [[USA Rugby]]) * [http://www.rugby15.co.uk/rfulaws.html Rugby15.co.uk RFU Laws] * [http://www.scrum.com/906_1068.php Scrum.com Rugby guide] ==External links== {{Commons category}} {{Sisterlinks}} ===Official=== * [http://www.irb.com International Rugby Board] ===Resources=== * [http://www.rugbydata.com Rugby Data] Statistics on International Rugby Union games * [http://guide.rugbyrugby.com The RugbyRugby Guide] * [http://guide.rugbyrugby.com/Rugby%20Sections/Beginners%20Guide/Rugby%20Lingo.asp The RugbyRugby Guide- Rugby Lingo Page] * [http://www.rugbymuseum.co.nz/ Rugby Museum of New Zealand] * [http://wesclark.com/rrr/rugby_phrase_guide.html Rugby union phrase guide] * [http://www.rugbyunionrules.com Rugby Union Rules] * [http://sportsvl.com/ball/rugby/rugbyunion.htm Virtual Library of Sport – Rugby Union] ===Fan sites and news=== * [http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/default.stm Rugby Union] on the BBC * [http://www.rugbyweek.com/ Rugby Week Latest Global Rugby Union news] * [http://www.rugbyincanada.com/ Rugby in Canada dot com] * [http://www.erugbynews.com/ Erugbynews] (North America) * [http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby FOX Sports Australia Rugby section] * [http://www.planetrugby.com/ Planet Rugby] * [http://www.rugbydirt.com/ Rugby Dirt] * [http://www.rugbyheaven.com.au/ Rugby Heaven] * [http://www.rugbynews.co.nz/ Rugby News] (NZ) * [http://www.sarugby.com/news/index.php SA Rugby.com] * [http://www.scrum.com/ Scrum.com] * [http://ur7s.com/ Ultimate Rugby Sevens] * [http://www.lequipe.fr/Rugby/ ''L'Équipe'''s rugby website] (French) {{Team Sport}} {{international rugby union}} {{DEFAULTSORT:Rugby Union}} [[Category:Rugby union|*]] [[Category:Ball games]] [[Category:Former Olympic sports]] [[Category:Sports originating in England]] [[Category:Team sports]] [[Category:Football codes]] [[ar:اتحاد الرجبي]] [[ca:Rugbi a 15]] [[cs:Ragby]] [[cy:Rygbi'r undeb]] [[de:Rugby Union]] [[eo:Rugbeo 15]] [[fa:راگبی ۱۵ نفره]] [[fr:Rugby à XV]] [[gd:Rugbaidh]] [[ko:럭비 유니온]] [[hy:Ռեգբի 15]] [[hr:Rugby union]] [[id:Uni rugbi]] [[it:Rugby a 15]] [[sw:Ragga]] [[la:Harpastum XV]] [[lb:Rugby Union]] [[mr:रग्बी युनियन]] [[ms:Ragbi]] [[nl:Rugby union]] [[no:Rugby union]] [[oc:Rugbi de XV]] [[pl:Rugby union]] [[ru:Регби-15]] [[sm:Lakapi]] [[sco:Rugby union]] [[simple:Rugby union]] [[sl:Rugby]] [[fi:Rugby union]] [[tr:Ragbi birliği]] [[zh:橄欖球]] </textarea><div id="editpage-copywarn"> <p>Content that violates any copyrights will be deleted. 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