BBC SPORT | SIX NATIONS

	HOMEPAGE \| NEWS \| WEATHER \| WORLD SERVICE \| MY BBC	feedback \| help


	Sport Frontpage \| Rugby Union \| Six Nations

The Game	Scoring	Set plays
Infringements	Moving the ball	Other terms

Other Six Nations Info:

	Bill McLaren's players to watch

	Guide to the grounds

	Positions guide

	Beginner's guide to the laws

	Six Nations home page

	Rugby news

The Game

Duration:

A game of rugby consists of two halves of 40 minutes with injury time added on at the end of each half. This is not as long as you might expect because physiotherapists are often allowed onto the pitch while play continues.

Standard Rugby Union pitch

Players:

Each side consists of 15 players, divided into eight forwards and seven backs. A total of seven substitutes are allowed for international matches. (There are also seven and 10-man versions of rugby union, played almost exclusively at tournaments.)

Officials:

There is one referee assisted by two touch judges, who mark where the ball goes out of play, adjudge kicks at goal and inform the referee of foul play.

A fourth official controls replacements and substitutes. Video referees have recently been introduced to Super 12 and Tri-Nations rugby, but will not be used during the Six Nations championship.




	^^ Back to top
© MMII \| News Sources \| Privacy