What Do Brits Call Rugby? The Real Names Behind the Game in the UK

Ask a British person what they call rugby, and you might get a blank stare-or a corrected answer. There’s no single name for it. In the UK, rugby isn’t just one sport. It’s two very different games, each with its own rules, culture, and fanbase. And the names people use depend on where they’re from, who they grew up watching, and which version of the game they play.

Rugby Union: The Original and Most Popular

In England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland, when most people say "rugby," they mean rugby union. It’s the version played in the Six Nations Championship, the Rugby World Cup, and by clubs like Saracens, Leinster, and the All Blacks. It’s the game with 15 players per side, set pieces like scrums and lineouts, and a scoring system that values tries, conversions, penalties, and drop goals.

Rugby union has deep roots in British schools and working-class communities. In the north of England, it was once the sport of miners and factory workers. In the south, it was tied to private schools like Harrow and Eton. Today, it’s still the dominant form of rugby across the UK. Over 2.5 million people play rugby union globally, and nearly half of them are in the British Isles.

When a Brit says, "I’m going to watch rugby this weekend," they almost always mean rugby union. It’s the version broadcast on ITV and BBC, the one with the iconic red jerseys of England and the Welsh dragon.

Rugby League: The Northern Powerhouse

But in parts of northern England-especially Yorkshire, Lancashire, and Cumbria-"rugby" often means something else: rugby league. It split from rugby union in 1895 over a dispute about paying players. Clubs in the north wanted to compensate working-class athletes for missing work. The rugby establishment refused. So they broke away and created their own game.

Rugby league is faster. It has 13 players per side, six-tackle rules instead of uncontested scrums, and no lineouts. The ball moves quicker, tackles are more frequent, and scoring is higher. The Super League is the top professional competition, with teams like Wigan Warriors, St Helens, and Leeds Rhinos drawing crowds of 15,000 to 20,000 fans.

In these regions, rugby league isn’t just a sport-it’s identity. Grandparents played it. Sons and daughters play it. Local pubs still hang photos of 1970s heroes. Many locals won’t even call it "rugby league." They just say "rugby." If you’re in Wigan and ask, "Where’s the rugby match?" they’ll point you to the DW Stadium, not Twickenham.

The Split That Still Matters

The 1895 split wasn’t just about money. It created two different cultures. Rugby union was seen as amateur, elite, and traditional. Rugby league was working-class, fast-paced, and practical. Even today, you can spot the difference in how fans behave. Union fans cheer for tactical kicks and set-piece dominance. League fans roar for breaks, offloads, and last-tackle tries.

The divide also shows up in media coverage. Union gets national TV slots. League gets regional broadcasts and highlights on Sky Sports. The Rugby Football Union (RFU) controls union. The Rugby Football League (RFL) runs league. They don’t share resources. They don’t share stadiums. They barely share the same language.

And here’s the kicker: in Australia and New Zealand, "rugby" almost always means union. But in parts of Australia’s northern states-like Queensland-many people grew up playing league. So if you hear an Aussie say, "I play rugby," you need to ask: which one?

What About Women’s Rugby?

Both codes have thriving women’s versions. Women’s rugby union exploded after England’s 2014 World Cup win and the professionalization of the Premier 15s. The Lionesses, as they’re called, now play in front of packed stadiums and get paid salaries. In league, the Women’s Super League has grown from just three teams in 2017 to over a dozen by 2025.

But the funding gap remains. Union women’s teams get more media attention and sponsorship. League women’s teams still rely heavily on local club support. Still, the passion is equal. In both codes, girls as young as six are hitting the field, learning the same core skills: passing, tackling, and teamwork.

How to Tell Them Apart

Here’s a quick way to know which game you’re watching:

• Number of players: 15 for union, 13 for league.
• Tackles: Union has no limit-ruck after ruck. League has six tackles before you hand over possession.
• Scrum: Union scrums are competitive and powerful. League scrums are mostly ceremonial and rarely contested.
• Lineouts: Only in union. League has play-the-balls after tackles.
• Scoring: Both award 5 points for a try. Union gives 2 for conversions, 3 for penalties and drop goals. League gives 2 for conversions, 2 for penalties, and 1 for drop goals.

If you’re watching a match and see a lineout, it’s union. If you see a six-tackle sequence with quick play-the-balls, it’s league.

Why This Matters Outside the UK

When you hear "rugby" in the U.S., Canada, or Japan, it’s almost always rugby union. But if you’re talking to someone from Bradford or Hull, they might be thinking league. That’s why international fans get confused. A British expat in Melbourne might say, "I play rugby," and an Aussie assumes union. But if they’re from Wigan, they’re talking about a totally different game.

Even in rugby’s heartland, the confusion persists. In 2023, a BBC poll found that 68% of English adults couldn’t name the key difference between union and league. Most thought they were just "different versions of the same thing." They’re not. They’re as different as soccer and American football.

What to Say When You’re in the UK

If you’re visiting and want to sound like you know what you’re talking about:

• Call it "rugby union" if you’re talking about England vs. Wales, the Six Nations, or the World Cup.
• Call it "rugby league" if you’re mentioning Wigan, the Challenge Cup, or the Grand Final.
• If you’re unsure, say: "Are you talking about the 15-a-side game or the 13-a-side?" Most Brits will appreciate the clarity.

Don’t assume. Don’t guess. Ask. The British don’t mind explaining the difference-they’ve been doing it for 130 years.

Where to Watch Both Games

If you want to see the real thing:

• Rugby union: Watch the Six Nations every February-March. Follow the Premiership Rugby in England or the United Rugby Championship (featuring Irish, Welsh, Scottish, and South African teams).
• Rugby league: Tune into the Super League during the spring and summer. The Challenge Cup final in August is a big deal in the north.
• Both are available on YouTube, DAZN, and Sky Sports. Many local clubs stream games for free on their websites.

There’s no better way to understand British rugby than to watch both. One game is slow, strategic, and steeped in tradition. The other is explosive, physical, and rooted in community.

What’s Next for Rugby in Britain?

Union is growing globally, especially in Asia and the Americas. League is struggling to expand beyond its northern heartland. But both are fighting for relevance.

Union is trying to stay true to its amateur roots while turning professional. League is trying to break out of regional isolation and attract younger fans with faster, more accessible rules.

One thing’s certain: in Britain, rugby isn’t just a sport. It’s history. It’s class. It’s geography. And if you think it’s just one game, you haven’t been paying attention.