I.

Introduction

Rules of Rugby Union, a 15-a-side football game, which can also be played 7-a-side (when it is known as “sevens”). The goal posts on a standard pitch are 5.64 m (18 ft 6 in) apart and have a crossbar which is 3 m (10 ft) above the ground. The ball is oval and has the approximate dimensions: length, 28 to 30 cm (11 to 11 y in); circumference, 58 to 62 cm (22 to 24 in). The game is controlled by a referee with the help of two touch judges or linesmen. In senior competitions a game has two 40-minute halves with a 5-minute interval. Points are scored in the following ways: (1) a try—scored by a player grounding the ball in his opponents’ in-goal area (worth 5 points); (2) a goal—achieved by kicking the ball (by a place-kick or drop kick) over the crossbar and between the uprights. Goals can be scored after a try, when the try is “converted” (worth 2 points), and from a penalty kick (worth 3 points). In practice most goals are scored by place-kicks. There is also the drop goal, when the ball is kicked on the half-volley in open play (worth 3 points).