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One free scan finds every outdated or missing driver and matches the right update for your exact hardware.Free scan · exact hardware matchRugby league and rugby union are two distinct codes of rugby football. In the standard games, league has 13 players per side and restarts play after a tackle with a play-the-ball; union has 15 players per side and often continues through contestable phases such as rucks and mauls. The codes share basic rugby skills, but their laws and possession patterns differ.
What is rugby league?
Rugby league is a code of rugby football with its own laws, developed after a break from the Rugby Football Union in 1895. It is not simply another name for rugby union. Its defining rhythm is a sequence of tackles: after a tackle, play restarts with a play-the-ball, and the attacking side works through a finite tackle count before possession changes or another law-defined outcome occurs.
For exact tackle-count and handover rules, consult the lawbook for the competition and level being played. International 13-a-side laws are not automatically the rules for junior or other formats. Play Rugby League’s International (13s+) laws identifies the scope of that resource, and International Rugby League’s 2026 laws provides the international reference.
What is the difference between rugby league and rugby union?
The practical difference is how each code handles players, tackles, and possession. League structures attacks around the tackle count and play-the-ball. Union allows play to continue through phases where players can contest possession at a breakdown, and includes set pieces such as lineouts.
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| Feature | Rugby league | Rugby union |
|---|---|---|
| Standard team size | 13 players in the international 13-a-side game. See Play Rugby League’s International (13s+) laws. | 15 players in the standard game. See World Rugby’s laws of the game. |
| After a tackle | Play restarts with a play-the-ball; the attack proceeds through a tackle count and specified outcomes. Exact details depend on the applicable laws. See International Rugby League’s 2026 laws. | The tackled player and tacklers have duties around releasing and making the ball available. Players can contest possession, and a ruck may form. See World Rugby Law 14. |
| Possession pattern | A finite set of tackles gives the attack a structured opportunity before a handover or another law-specified outcome. | Possession can continue across phases, with the ball contested at breakdowns under the applicable laws. |
| Breakdowns and set pieces | The play-the-ball is a defining restart. International league laws also include scrums, though their role differs from union. | Rucks, mauls, scrums, and lineouts are core law-defined phases or restarts. See World Rugby’s 2025 lawbook. |
This is a code-level overview, not a replacement for the rules of a particular league, age group, or tournament. World Rugby publishes variations and clarifications, while league resources distinguish international 13-a-side laws from other forms. World Rugby’s laws hub and Play Rugby League’s laws resource are starting points.
How does a tackle work in rugby union?
In union, a tackle is not simply a reset. The tackled player and tacklers have release and ball-availability responsibilities, while other players may compete for the ball. A ruck can form when players from both teams are in contact over the ball on the ground. World Rugby states in its Law 14 tackle principle that the actions of players involved in the tackle must ensure a fair contest and allow the ball to be available for play immediately.
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Union also uses mauls and lineouts, among other set-piece situations. Their presence helps explain why union’s phases can involve more direct contest over possession than league’s tackle-and-play-the-ball sequence. The governing laws and their interpretations determine the precise requirements in each situation.
What is a six-tackle set in rugby league?
A six-tackle set is the familiar shorthand for the finite sequence of tackles in league: the attacking team has a structured run of possession, and a handover or another law-defined outcome may follow when the sequence ends. The exact counting and consequences should be checked against the current rules for the competition; do not assume a shorthand description covers every exception.
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- EASY CARE: Prior to training or a match, use a soft cloth, light detergent, and warm water to remove dirt and residue from your rugby ball. All training/practice rugby balls and rugby game balls come deflated. Inflate them to 9.5 psi using a rugby pump, or any ball pump. Gilbert training balls are a great choice for any rugby team or player looking for an uncompromising, high-quality rugby ball.
Why are there two rugby codes?
Rugby league emerged from a split with the Rugby Football Union in 1895 amid disputes over payments to players. The historical account describes a proposal for 13 players that year and later rule changes involving tackles and restarts. The codes did not become fully distinct through one single, unchanging change in 1895: their laws continued to develop after the split. Rugby League Record’s history of how rugby rules became league rules recounts those early developments.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Which rules should a beginner learn first?
- For league: learn the play-the-ball and how the tackle count works in the competition you are watching.
- For union: learn what happens after a tackle, how a ruck forms, and the basic purposes of mauls and lineouts.
- For either code: use the current lawbook for the relevant competition and playing level. Shared rugby terminology does not guarantee that a detailed rule carries over from one code to the other.
World Rugby’s laws hub includes laws, variations, and clarifications; league readers can use the 2026 international law reference for the international game.
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