A faster, more open variant of rugby played thirteen-a-side with a structured set of six tackles per possession.
Origin and rules
Rugby league split from rugby union in 1895 over disputes about player payments, with northern English clubs forming a separate code. Teams of thirteen contest possession, with each side allowed six tackles before turning the ball over.
How it plays
Games last 80 minutes. Tries score four points, conversions two, penalty goals and drop goals one or two. Play-the-balls restart possession after each tackle, giving the sport a quicker, more structured rhythm than rugby union.
Competition
The Rugby League World Cup is held roughly every four years. The Super League in Europe and the National Rugby League in Australia are the top club competitions. Australia, New Zealand, and England dominate international play.
Find more sports by letter
Rugby League starts with R and ends with E. Browse other sports along the same letter.
Sports that contain a letter from "Rugby League":