Both styles of Rugby; Rugby Union and Rugby League are played in the USA. Rugby Union has been developed since the early 1900’s where its roots were established in college institutions, and the governing body USA Rugby was formed in 1975 to oversee the development of the sport as a member of the International Rugby Board.
Rugby Union was on the Olympic program at Paris in 1900, at London in 1908, Antwerp in 1920, and Paris again in 1924. The USA won the Gold Medal in 1920, and 1924 when rugby was last an Olympic sport. Both Rugby Union and Rugby League contest a World Cup. The Rugby League World Cup was first played in 1954 and The Rugby Union World Cup was first played in 1987.
Rugby League has been developed in the USA since the formation of the American National Rugby League in 1998.
Rugby League and Union – A Comparison to American Football:
A comparison of American football and rugby league can be made due to their shared origins, resulting in similarities and shared concepts in terms of scoring and advancing the ball. Rugby league has a six-tackle rule which is somewhat similar to downs in American football. The team in possession has six tackles before having to hand over possession.
Play stops when the player in possession of the ball is tackled and play restarts with a play-the-ball (like a snap in football). Rugby union is quite different being based on the 'right to contest possession'. A team in possession does not need to surrender possession, with a battle for control of possession on every point of contact. Whilst rugby league players aren't allowed to try to dispossess the ball carrier between tackles, rugby union players are allowed to win possession during open play.
Rugby union is a game of possession and not territory. Players try to pass the ball before being tackled and to ensure possession is retained rather than struggling for an extra yard under the weight of several tacklers.
