Rugby is a fascinating international sport. What is interesting about the rugby game? Why do millions of people follow the sport? Without wasting time, here are things to know about Rugby.

History of Rugby Game

You should have heard about the rugby game. Maybe you are looking for the best sports betting & odds, and you came across rugby. A little history will get you started.

Rugby was first played professionally in the 19th century. In the 18th century, hundreds of people used to participate on each side. In the second half of the 19th century, running with the ball in hand was introduced.

This game was developed in Rugby School, with the first rules written in 1845. Its rich history features several important dates a lover of the game should remember. In 1864, Rugby Club came into existence, and in 1871, the Rugby Football Union was founded, with an international match following. Then in 1897, the Challenge Club for rugby was established.

The Rugby League World Cup was introduced in 1954 and was played in France. Great Britain beat France to win the cup.

Finally, in 2011, 14 teams qualified for the Rugby League World Cup – one of the biggest developments.

Specifications of Rugby Ball and Rugby Shirt

According to the International Rugby Board, the rugby ball has a specific size and shape. Do you know these specifications?

The shape of the ball is oval. There are four panels, and the length is 280-300mm. It has a circumference of 740-770mm across the length, and the circumference of the width is 580-620mm.

What is this ball made up of? Leather or some other synthetic material is used to make the ball to ensure that it’s waterproof.

The ball’s grip is also paid attention to while making the ball. Did you know that the weight of the rugby ball is supposed to be between 410g and 460g? Even the air pressures for these balls are fixed. So, a rugby ball comprises different authorized specifications.

Every team has their rugby shirt and jersey. The color of each team’s jersey is different. The surname and the player’s number are written at the back of the jersey.

Position Of Rugby Game In Various Countries

The rugby game is played in many countries across the world. Professional rugby teams compete at high levels, and amateurs in various countries train and improve their game day by day. People also play rugby for fun.

England, Argentina, Ireland, Australia, Scotland, France, New Zealand, South Africa, Italy, and Wales are a few countries that predominantly play this game. Eventually, Chile, Romania, the United States, Peru, Fiji, Canada, Japan, Tonga, Brazil, Georgia, Uruguay, Colombia, Mexico, Samoa, Namibia, Venezuela, and Portugal are popular countries where rugby is well-played and loved.

Today, there’s an International Rugby Board (IRB), and its headquarters is in Dublin in Ireland. Rugby is also declared a national sport in many countries. It’s a national sport in South Africa, Tonga, Wales, New Zealand, Samoa, Madagascar, and Fiji.

Rugby Sevens is a recent version gaining popularity at a fast pace. In 2011, 14 teams were selected from various countries that competed against each other in 2013.

Some participating countries were England, Samoa, Australia, Cook Islands, Fiji, New Zealand, the United States of America, Wales, Tonga, Ireland, Italy, France, Scotland, and Papua New Guinea.  

Rugby is an exciting game that is played and enjoyed by many nations. Although it is not yet at the popularity level of top sports like soccer, basketball, and tennis, it has undoubtedly made giant strides to the top.