What is the Difference Between League and Union

The terms “League” and “Union” are often used in sports, especially in rugby. Rugby League and Rugby Union are two versions of rugby with the same roots. They began as one sport but split in 1895 in England. Since then, the two codes have developed different rules, team sizes, and styles of play.

What is the difference between League and Union? League has 13 players, faster play, and a six-tackle rule, while Union has 15 players, more set pieces, and allows continuous possession.

Key Areas Covered

1. What is Rugby Union
     – Definition, Beliefs, Ideology 
2. What is Rugby League 
     – Definition, Beliefs, Ideology 
3. Similarities Between Rugby League and Union
     – Outline of Common Features
4. Difference Between Rugby League and Union
     – Comparison of Key Differences
5. FAQ: Rugby League and Union
     – Answers to Frequently Asked Questions

Key Terms

League, Union, Rugby, Rugby Union, Rugby League

What is Rugby Union?

Rugby union is a close-contact team sport. It began at Rugby School in England in the early 1800s and is based on running with the ball in hand. Rugby Union is a 15-player game. It is played over 80 minutes and split into two halves.

Union games use scrums, rucks, mauls, and lineouts to restart play and fight for the ball. Possession is unlimited, so teams can keep attacking as long as they don’t lose the ball or commit a penalty. When a player is tackled, they must release the ball. Others can contest it on their feet in a ruck, or hold the ball carrier up in a maul.

Scoring in Rugby Union

Try = 5 points
Conversion = 2 points
Penalty Kick = 3 points
Drop Goal = 3 points

The pitch in Rugby Union can be up to 144m long and 70m wide; it has markings like the 22-meter line, dashed lines, and scrum/lineout zones. Moreover, each team can make seven substitutions during a match.

Rugby Union allows specialized player roles, and there is a clear difference between forwards and backs. Furthermore, it is played all over the world and has a huge following, especially during the Rugby World Cup.

What is Rugby League

Rugby League is played with 13 players on each team. It started in 1895 when Northern English clubs split from Rugby Union to allow players to be paid for time off work and injuries.

League games are faster because there are fewer stoppages and set pieces. After six tackles, the ball automatically goes to the other team. This encourages fast and attacking play. When a tackle is made, the defender must retreat. The tackled player stands up and rolls the ball backward with their foot to restart the play.

Scoring in Rugby League

Try = 4 points
Conversion = 2 points
Penalty Goal = 2 points
Drop Goal = 1 point

The pitch in Rugby League is slightly smaller—up to 122m long and 68m wide. It includes 10m, 20m, 30m, 40m lines, scrum zones, and distance markers. Teams are allowed ten substitutions per game.

There are fewer set-pieces, and scrums are mostly used after minor rule breaks. Players are more versatile. They often play both attack and defense as there are fewer players on the field.

Rugby League is especially popular in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of England. It also has major competitions like the NRL and Super League.

Similarities Between League and Union

1. Both are forms of rugby football with common origins.
2. The objective of both is to score tries, conversions, penalties, and drop goals.
3. The ball used is oval-shaped and similar in size.
4. Games are played on similarly sized fields with goalposts.
5. Fitness, tackling skills, and teamwork are important in both.
6. Each game has two halves of 40 minutes.

Difference Between League and Union

Origins

• Rugby Union started in the early 1800s at Rugby School, while Rugby League split off in 1895 in Northern England to allow working-class players to be paid.

Number of Players

• Rugby Union has 15 players per team, whereas Rugby League has 13 players per team.

Field Size and Markings

• A Rugby Union pitch can be up to 144 meters long and 70 meters wide and has markings like the 22-meter line, dashed reference lines, and scrum zones. A Rugby League pitch is slightly smaller, with a maximum size of 122 meters by 68 meters, and includes 10-meter intervals, distance markers, and special lines such as the 40-meter line.

Scoring System

• In Rugby Union, a try is worth 5 points, a conversion 2 points, a penalty kick 3 points, and a drop goal 3 points, while in Rugby League, a try is worth 4 points, a conversion 2 points, a penalty goal 2 points, and a drop goal 1 point.

Substitutions

• Rugby Union allows each team to make up to seven substitutions during a match, whereas Rugby League allows teams to make up to ten substitutions.

Player Positions

• Rugby Union has two groups of forwards (tight and loose) and backs like the scrum-half, fly-half, centres, wings, and full-back while Rugby League has one set of forwards and backs, including positions like hooker, prop, second-row, half-backs, centres, and full-back.

Lineouts

• Rugby Union uses lineouts to restart play when the ball goes out of bounds; players lift teammates to catch the throw. However, Rugby League does not use lineouts; play restarts with a tap kick instead.

Scrums

• Rugby Union scrums involve eight players and are more physical, whereas Rugby League scrums involve six players and are generally quicker and less intense.

Tackling

• In Rugby League, possession changes after six tackles. But in Rugby Union, there’s no tackle limit as long as the team keeps control of the ball.

Competitions

• Major competitions in Rugby Union include the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations, British and Irish Lions tours, and domestic leagues like the Premiership, while major competitions in Rugby League include the Rugby League World Cup, Super League, Challenge Cup, and Australia’s top league, the National Rugby League (NRL).

FAQ: League and Union

1. Is union harder than league?

• Rugby Union is more complex and has more rules, set pieces, and specialized roles. This can make it mentally and tactically challenging. Rugby League is faster and more physically demanding.

2. Is England rugby union or league?

• England plays both Rugby Union and Rugby League. Rugby Union is more popular across the country, while Rugby League is especially strong in Northern England.

3. Why did rugby union and league split?

• Rugby Union and Rugby League split in 1895 because of a disagreement about paying players. Clubs in Northern England wanted to pay working-class players for missing work and injuries, but the Rugby Union refused, which led to the creation of Rugby League.

4. Which is bigger, rugby league or union?

• Rugby Union is bigger worldwide – there are more countries playing it and larger international tournaments like the Rugby World Cup. Rugby League is mainly popular in Australia, New Zealand, and parts of England.

Reference:

1. “Rugby Union.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation. 

2. “Rugby League.” Wikipedia. Wikipedia Foundation. 

Image Courtesy:

1. “Rugby Union Formation” By Bigforrap – Own work (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Commons Wikimedia

2. “Lance hohaia running into the defence (rugby league)” By digiarnie – (CC BY 2.0) via Commons Wikimedia