Rugby is one of the ball sports.

It is an aggressive sport played on a rectangular field to score points by kicking the ball through the goalposts or grounding it in the opponent's scoring area through collective coordination.

Rugby originated in 1823 in England from rugby football. As rugby spread from England to other countries, it underwent continuous development and changes, giving rise to various national forms of rugby in many countries, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and others.

The field, equipment, rules, attire, the number of players on the field, the size of the ball, and the methods of play vary in different forms of rugby. Still, they can generally be classified into two main categories: Rugby Union and American Football.

American football and Rugby Union can be distinguished in the following ways:

Rugby Union players do not wear protective gear and typically wear attire similar to soccer players. Rugby Union is more widely popular, with the sport being played in around 140 countries and regions.

American football, on the other hand, requires players to wear specified uniforms and protective gear. Hence, it is also known as Gridiron football.

2. Number of Players

In American football, each team has three groups performing different tasks: the offensive team takes the field when their team has possession of the ball;

The defensive team takes the field when the opposing team has possession, and the special teams only take the field in certain special situations (kickoffs, field goals, and punts). Only 11 players from each team are allowed on the field at any given time.

Rugby Union can be played in different formats, such as 15s, 11s, or 7s, depending on the league and competition, but the basic rules are similar to those of the 15-player format.

3. Basic Rules

In American football, each offensive play allows one forward pass toward the opponent's end zone (crossing the line of scrimmage by the ball carrier renders forward passing illegal). At the same time, there is no limit to backward or lateral passes.

In Rugby Union, players cannot pass the ball forward; the ball can only be passed backward. Passing the ball forward is considered a violation and offside.

In terms of gameplay, American football resembles a turn-based game, while Rugby Union is more continuous. Additionally, players without the ball cannot tackle or obstruct the Rugby Union.

4. Scoring:

American football has three ways to score: touchdown (6 points), field goal (3 points), and safety (2 points). Rugby Union has two ways to score: try (5 points) and conversion kick (2 points). Penalty kicks and drop goals also award points in Rugby Union, with penalty kicks and drop goals worth 3 points.

Furthermore, in American football, after scoring a touchdown, the scoring team can attempt a 1-point or 2-point conversion. Attempting another touchdown results in a 2-point conversion, while a successful field goal attempt yields 1 point.

Due to cultural differences between England and America – while Americans have commercialized the sport extensively, the English still maintain a sense of cultural superiority, contemplating conflicts between aristocracy, commercialization, and professionalism – the development of rugby has taken divergent paths in the two countries.