Rugby union is played with 15 players per side. Rugby league uses 13 players per side. If someone simply says “rugby” without specifying the code, they usually mean rugby union — the version played in the Six Nations, Rugby World Cup, and Gallagher Premiership.
Rugby Union: 15 Players Per Side
A rugby union team has 15 players on the field at any one time, split into two groups:
- Forwards (1–8) — the bigger, more physical players who contest scrums, lineouts, and carry the ball in tight spaces
- Backs (9–15) — generally faster and more agile, responsible for moving the ball wide and finishing scoring chances
The 15 Positions in Rugby Union
- 1 — Loosehead Prop
- 2 — Hooker
- 3 — Tighthead Prop
- 4 — Lock (Second Row)
- 5 — Lock (Second Row)
- 6 — Blindside Flanker
- 7 — Openside Flanker
- 8 — Number 8
- 9 — Scrum-half
- 10 — Fly-half
- 11 — Left Wing
- 12 — Inside Centre
- 13 — Outside Centre
- 14 — Right Wing
- 15 — Fullback
Teams can also name up to 8 substitutes on the bench, giving a match-day squad of 23 players in total.
Rugby League: 13 Players Per Side
Rugby league is played with 13 players — two fewer than union. The positions are similar but there are no flankers, and the game’s structure means the roles play out differently. League teams also carry a bench of 4 substitutes.
Rugby Sevens: 7 Players Per Side
Rugby sevens is a shortened version of rugby union played on a full-size pitch with just 7 players per side. Matches last 14 minutes (two halves of 7 minutes). It has been an Olympic sport since the 2016 Rio Games.
Other Rugby Formats
- Rugby tens — 10 players per side, popular in pre-season tournaments
- Touch rugby — usually 6 or 7 players, no contact, great for beginners
- Mini rugby — modified versions for younger players, often with fewer players and smaller pitches
Why Does the Number Matter?
The difference between 13 and 15 players has a big effect on how the game plays out. With 15 players, rugby union has more complex set pieces — contested scrums, lineouts, rucks and mauls. With 13, rugby league is more structured around the six-tackle rule, which keeps the game flowing at a faster pace.
If you’re just getting into rugby, 15-a-side union is the version you’ll see on TV most often in the UK. Start with our Rugby for Beginners guide to get up to speed quickly.