Rugby union

Rugby Union is a team sport that was developed from the rules used to play football at Rugby School in England. Two teams, each of 15 players have the task of outscoring the opposing team. Players clutch a prolate spheroid ball in their hands or arms, and may pass it backwards or laterally across the pitch, or kick it in any direction. The opposing players attempt to halt the ball-carrier by tackling him or her with their arms and bodies. When tackled, the ball carrier must release the ball, at which time a contest for possession of the ball commences (either a ruck or a maul).

The rugby union nations

The major Rugby Union playing nations are those which play in the southern hemisphere Tri Nations Series: Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and those which play in the northern hemisphere Six Nations Championship: England, France , Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The British and Irish Lions tour once every four years and select from the best players from England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales. The most recent tour was a 2005 tour of New Zealand; the next will be a 2009 tour of South Africa.

Related Topics:
Tri Nations Series - Australia - New Zealand - South Africa - Six Nations Championship - England - France - Ireland - Italy - Scotland - Wales - British and Irish Lions - 2005 tour of New Zealand - 2009 tour of South Africa

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The minor nations include those nations which have qualified for the Rugby Union World Cup: Argentina, Canada, Fiji, Georgia, Japan, Namibia, Romania, Samoa, Spain, Tonga, United States, Uruguay. For further details see the List of international rugby union teams. Rugby Union is the national sport of Wales, New Zealand and Pacific countries such as Tonga, Fiji, and Samoa (although these three specialise in sevens).

Related Topics:
Rugby Union World Cup - Argentina - Canada - Fiji - Georgia - Japan - Namibia - Romania - Samoa - Spain - Tonga - United States - Uruguay - List of international rugby union teams - Wales - New Zealand - Pacific - Tonga - Fiji - Samoa - Sevens

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The International Rugby Board has 96 Unions and 5 regional Associations. The rugby-playing world often sees a distinction between the Northern hemisphere and the Southern hemisphere teams. After decades of domination by New Zealand, South Africa, and more recently Australia, England under Clive Woodward succeeded in turning the rugby world upside down by regularly beating the three Southern Hemisphere giants culminating in 2003 when they beat Australia in the final of the 2003 Rugby Union World Cup. New Zealand and France also reached the semifinals.

Related Topics:
International Rugby Board - Northern hemisphere - Southern hemisphere - New Zealand - South Africa - Australia - England - 2003 - 2003 Rugby Union World Cup - France

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