# Rugby Union vs Rugby League: Key Differences

> Rugby union and league split over 150 years, with 15 vs 13 players, different scoring, and no lineouts in league.
- Title: Rugby Union vs Rugby League: Key Differences · Rugby World
- Summary: Rugby union and league split over 150 years, with 15 vs 13 players, different scoring, and no lineouts in league. Rugby union and league diverged in 1895…
- Keywords: rugby union, rugby league, rugby league world cup, world rugby, rugby union v rugby league, rugby league rules, rugby union rules, rugby union history, rugby league history, rugby union players, rugby league players, rugby union teams
- Source: Rugby World — https://rugbyworld.com/news/rugby-union-v-rugby-league-whats-the-difference-174980
- Published: 2026-10-15T13:52:37+00:00
- Read time: 2 min
- Topics: rugby union, rugby league, rugby league world cup, world rugby, rugby union v rugby league, rugby league rules, rugby union rules, rugby union history, rugby league history, rugby union players, rugby league players, rugby union teams
## Rugby Union vs Rugby League: What Are The Differences?
The two sports started the same but have spent over a century as separate codes.
## Key Differences in Team Composition
Rugby union uses 15 players per team, rugby league uses 13 players per team.
## Scrum Rules Differ
Rugby union has an eight-player scrum with regular resets, rugby league has a six-player scrum with quick restarts.
## Lineouts Only in Rugby Union
Rugby league has no lineouts, so no mauls, and uses tap-and-go kicks to restart play.
## Scoring Rules Vary
A try in rugby union is worth five points, in rugby league it's four points.
## Sin Bin Rule
Both sports use a sin bin for ten-minute yellow card penalties.
## Rugby League's 50:22 Rule
World Rugby introduced the 50:22 kick as a law trial in 2021 to reward good kicking.
## Rugby League's 6-Tackle Rule
Rugby league has a 'set of six' rule where teams get six tackles to score a try.
## Positions and Numbers
Rugby union has 15 positions, rugby league has 13 positions with no flankers.
## History of the Split
The split began in 1895 when clubs formed the Northern Rugby Football Union over professionalism.
## Clash of the Codes
Bath Rugby and Wigan RLFC played a historic clash of the codes in 1996.
## Sale Sharks Crossed Codes
Sale Sharks played rugby union for the first half and rugby league in the second half in 2003.
## 745 Game for MND
Leeds Rhinos hosted the 745 Game in honor of Rob Burrow for MND research.
## Rugby League World Cup
The Rugby League World Cup is underway in Australia, New Zealand, and Papua New Guinea.
## Rugby Union vs Rugby League: The History
Rugby union and league split over 150 years, with union using 15 players and league 13.
## Key takeaway

Rugby union and league diverged in 1895 over professionalism, with union using 15 players and league 13, different scoring rules, and no lineouts.