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  1. Rugby | History & Rules | Britannica

    Nov 29, 2025 · Rugby football originated from the style of football played at Rugby School in England. It is said to have started in 1823 when William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it, creating …

  2. Rugby - Origins, Expansion, Popularity | Britannica

    Rugby - Origins, Expansion, Popularity: Rugby rapidly spread from its elitist origins in England, Scotland, and Ireland to middle- and working-class men in the north of England and in Wales and to the British …

  3. How to Play Rugby | Britannica

    Rugby is a 15-a-side team sport. The object of the game is to ground the ball behind the opponent's try line, into what is called the in-goal area. Rugby is played both with the ball in hand and by kicking the …

  4. Rugby Football Union | Amateur Sport, International Competition ...

    Oct 5, 2025 · Rugby football originated from the style of football played at Rugby School in England. It is said to have started in 1823 when William Webb Ellis picked up the ball and ran with it, creating …

  5. rugby summary | Britannica

    Both rugby union and rugby league have international play and world cup tournaments. Rugby is most popular in the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand.

  6. Why Do Some People Call Football Soccer | Britannica

    Rugby football, named after an English boarding school, was a variation that allowed players to carry and run with the ball to advance it toward the goal. The game played under the Football …

  7. American football | Definition, History, Leagues, Rules, & Facts ...

    4 days ago · American football is the version of the sport of football that evolved from English rugby and soccer (association football). American football, played with 11 on each side, originated in North …

  8. rugby - Kids | Britannica Kids | Homework Help

    Rugby is a ball game that is played on a grassy field. Two teams try to move the ball down the field into the opponent’s goal. Players score points by carrying the ball…

  9. Rugby - Rules, Teams, Tournaments | Britannica

    Nov 29, 2025 · Rugby union continued to grow as an international game, highlighted by such new tournaments as the Pacific Rim Championship and the African Top Six Tournaments.

  10. The Real History of Rugby | Britannica

    Rugby, a contact-based style of football, has its origins in 19th-century England. According to legend, the sport was born when William Webb Ellis, a student at Rugby School, defied the rules by picking …