Special Sub-Topic: General Rugby Union Click Here To Play: General Rugby Union

Which 'set piece' play is used in Rugby Union, that does not feature in Rugby League?

Line out. When the ball goes out of play over the side line, a line out takes place. The opposing forwards stand side by side, in a line at right angles to the sideline, and one player, normally the number 2, throws the ball back into play. The opposing sides then have to try and catch the ball and play continues. In rugby league, a scrum is awarded.

When the ball has crossed the side line, it is said to be what?

In touch. The side lines are called the touch lines. So if any part of the ball, or the person carrying it has contact with any part of the line, or crosses it, the ball is 'in touch'.

Rugby first came into being when someone decided to invent an alternative to American Football.

f. Rugby was 'invented' by William Webb Ellis at Rugby School when, during a game of football (aka soccer), he picked up the ball and ran with it. This moment took place in 1823.

What is the player called who plays at number 2, and whose job it is to win the ball in a scrum?

Hooker. As it is his job to hook the ball rearwards in the scrum, he is known as the hooker. The players on either side are the props.

How many ways are there of scoring in a game?

5. The ways to score points are: (1) a try, this is when a player grounds the ball between the try line and the dead ball line; (2) a conversion, which is the kick at goal after a try; (3) a drop goal, a player can attempt to kick the ball between the uprights, first he drops the ball to the ground and then kicks it as it bounces back up; (4) a penalty goal, after a major infringement of the laws a penalty may be awarded, the team can choose to run the ball, or attempt a kick at goal; (5) penalty try, if a player is almost certain to score a try, and is prevented from doing so illegally, a penalty try may be given. This is always given as if the try had been scored directly under the crossbar.

How many officials are there in an International match that have a direct effect on the play?

3. They are the referee and two touch judges. A fourth official often called the video referee, gives verdicts on things that the referee is unsure about, but does not make direct calls (mainly, if a try has been scored or if the defending team prevented the score). There will also be secondary officials such as a time keeper and match doctor.

In which year was the first Rugby Union World Cup held?

1987. The tournament was held between 23rd May and 20th June, and New Zealand beat France 29-9 in the final.

Rugby League came about because some players from the northern clubs wanted to play on Sundays.

f. The northern clubs broke away in 1895 because the sports governing body held an inquiry into 'transfer fees'. At the time, the sport was totally amateur and teams were not supposed to offer financial incentives to players. The game of Rugby League itself was formed in 1922. Until then it was known as the Northern Rugby Football Union.

The annual trophy that is contested by England and Scotland is the ______ Cup.

Calcutta Cup & Calcutta. The Calcutta Cup was presented to the RFU in 1878. The Calcutta club had been formed by former pupils of Rugby School in 1874. When the club was wound up the remaining rupees in the club's bank account were melted down to produce the cup.

What happens to a player who is shown a yellow card by the referee?

Ten minutes in the 'sin bin'.. The sin bin is a fairly recent addition to rugby. It is normally used when a player is guilty of persistant infringement, although the referee can show the yellow card at any time if he thinks it is warranted.

What is the name of the invitational side that traditionally plays in black and white hooped shirts?

Barbarians. The Baa-Baas were formed in 1890 in a restaurant in Bradford, Yorkshire. They were the idea of W P Carpmael, and the original idea was to provide a touring side to play in the summer months. To be invited to play for the Baa-Baas is an honour almost as great as playing for your country.

What momentous decision was taken by the International Rugby Board on 26th August 1995?

They allowed the game to turn professional. The decision to allow the game to turn 'pro' was taken to try and allow the game to gain sponsors that traditionally helped to promote the other code (rugby league). There were a small number of players that changed codes, in both directions, but the game does not seem to have suffered from the decision to allow players to be payed.

What is the difference between a 'ruck' and a 'maul'?

In a ruck the ball is on the ground. Lots of people get confused between rucks and mauls. In a ruck the ball is on the ground and players are using their feet to try and gain possession, in a maul a player has the ball in his hands, and the opposition try to 'wrestle' the ball away from him.

A player, who is forward of his own 22 metre line, kicks the ball forward so that it lands outside of the field of play without it bouncing on the pitch. The result is a penalty to the opposing side.

f. A kick as described would be said to have gone directly into touch, and a line out would be given in line with the place the kick was taken. Only if a player is behind his own 22 metre line may he kick directly into touch (a line out is given where the ball went into touch) . This does not apply to penalty kicks.

Which of the following is not a Rugby Union trophy?

Stanley Cup. The Stanley Cup is an ice hockey trophy. The Bledisloe is contested between Australia and New Zealand, the Hopetoun is between Australia and Scotland and the Gallaher is between France and New Zealand.