Rugby is one of the most popular sports in the world and continues to grow each year as more people become interested in the game. Today, sports fans can choose from two main championship formats: Rugby Union and Rugby League. In turn, each format offers several tournaments, including the Six Nations, the Nations Championship, and the World Cup.
Rugby betting focuses on two main types that include union and league. Each format has its own specifics that sports fans should consider when they place bets on 1xBet and other platforms. Here are the main differences between Union and League:
Rugby Union: Here, each team has 15 players. This format includes international competitions like the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup. Domestic leagues are Premiership Rugby, France’s Top 14, and the United Rugby Championship.
Rugby League: In these teams, each team has 13 players. This format is used in tournaments like the NRL in Australia and the Super League in the UK.
In addition, the main differences include the number of tackles allowed before possession changes in the league, and the ruck and maul rules in union. In union, a try is worth five points; in league, it is worth four points.
The Nations Championship is a new international tournament that will take place every two years, starting in 2026. It involves all ten rugby unions and federations from Six Nations Rugby and SANZAAR, along with two additional invitational teams.
The tournament will change the current July and November windows into a competitive format that includes teams from both the northern and southern hemispheres. It will occur every two years, except during the World Cup and Lions Tour years.
The competition will feature 12 teams. These teams will include the six nations from the Six Nations—England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France, and Italy—and six nations from the southern hemisphere: Australia, Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, Japan, and Fiji.
The Six Nations is one of the most important tournaments in rugby union, and the 2026 edition will be exciting in both entertainment and quality. In the Nations Championship, every point, result, and match matters for each team. It brings together the twelve largest international teams in the world, showcasing the best players in the sport as they compete for the latest title. The Six Nations is the top international tournament in the northern hemisphere. It features direct matchups between:
England
France
Ireland
Italy
Scotland, and
Wales.
Since its first tournament in 1883, many teams have won the championship.
The Rugby League World Cup takes place every four years and is the most important event in the sport. The next tournament, RLWC26, will feature 26 teams from 14 countries. These teams will compete in 53 matches over 31 days in nine cities across Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea. This World Cup promises to be the most competitive and exciting since it started in 1954. The Rugby League World Cup 2026 will return to Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
Betting on rugby means predicting the outcome of a selected match. Here, bookmakers offer different betting options with various markets and odds, just like in other sports.
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Market |
Details |
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Match betting |
In many sports, betting on the match outcome is a common way to wager on rugby. In match betting, you bet on a specific team to win the game. Rugby usually has high scores, so draws happen rarely. Because of this, some match betting options do not allow for a draw, while others might offer odds for a draw at about 30/1. |
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Try Scorer |
Here, you can place bets on which player will score the first try or if they will score at any time during the match. These bets usually offer better odds than normal, making them a good choice for informed fans. |
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Handicap betting |
This type of betting is very popular because it helps equalize the playing field. If you like better odds on the underdog, Handicap betting is for you, as bookmakers often expect them to win. |
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Over/under |
Over/under bets involve a specific number and a category. You can bet on whether that number will be exceeded. For example, if the total points for a game is set at 25.5, you win your bet by choosing "over" if the total reaches 26 or more. If the total stays at 25 points or lower, you lose the bet. |
When you bet on rugby, it is important to follow some key tips and strategies:
Learn the teams. Before you place a bet, learn about each team's strengths and weaknesses. Some teams score a lot of points, while others may have tighter games. Knowing how well a team attacks and defends will help you choose the winning team.
Watch for team news. Injuries can change the outcome of a match. Before you bet, check for any news about the teams because this information can impact the game.
Consider the weather. Rugby matches can happen in different weather conditions, and bad weather can affect the game. If you place your bet days in advance, weather changes might complicate your decision. Rain can make it harder to handle the ball, which often leads to lower scores. This is important if you're betting on a team that needs to score high to win.
Finally, you should set a betting budget and apply other responsible betting tools.
