How Many Players Are on a Rugby Team?
If you’ve ever watched a match and wondered why there are always fifteen guys on the field, you’re not alone. Rugby Union fields fifteen players per side, while Rugby League runs with thirteen. The number isn’t random – it’s built into the rules and shapes everything from strategy to the flow of the game.
Why Fifteen in Union and Thirteen in League?
Rugby Union started in the 1800s with schools playing a looser version of the sport. Over time, the fifteen‑a‑side format stuck because it gave enough room for both forwards and backs to work together. Forwards (the eight players in the scrum) focus on gaining ground and winning set pieces, while backs (the seven outside the scrum) handle the running, passing, and kicking.
Rugby League split off in 1895 and trimmed the team to thirteen. Dropping two forwards meant a faster, more open game with fewer rucks. This change made the sport more appealing to working‑class fans who wanted a quicker pace and more scoring chances.
What Does Each Position Do?
In Union, the eight forwards are split into the front row (two props and a hooker), the second row (two locks), and the back row (two flankers and a number‑8). The front row anchors the scrum, the locks add power, and the back row breaks from the scrum to tackle or carry the ball.
The seven backs include the scrum‑half, fly‑half, two centres, two wingers and the full‑back. The scrum‑half feeds the ball from the scrum, the fly‑half directs attacks, centres smash through the defense, wingers finish tries, and the full‑back fields kicks and joins the line when needed.
League’s thirteen‑player setup drops the two extra forwards, so you get six forwards and seven backs. The role of each player stays similar, but the reduced numbers force forwards to be more mobile and backs to take on extra defensive duties.
Understanding the number of players helps you read the game better. When you see a scrum, you’ll know why eight bodies are locked together, and when a line‑out happens, you’ll recognize the eight forwards lifting a teammate to catch the ball.
So next time you’re watching a match, count the players on each side. Whether it’s fifteen in Union or thirteen in League, the number tells you a lot about the tactics, pace, and excitement you’re about to enjoy.
