The Evolution of Rugby: How Has The Sport Changed Over Time?

Rugby has been played for over a century and its rich history can be traced back to England's rugby schools. Over the years, the sport has changed dramatically, growing in popularity and becoming a global phenomenon with millions of fans around the world. In this article, we'll take a closer look at the evolution of rugby and how the game has changed over time.

The Origins of Rugby:

Rugby was first played in rugby schools in England in the early 19th century when a group of students decided to break the rules of football and create a new sport where players would dribble and tackle their opponents. Over time these differences became more and more pronounced, hence rugby was born.

The Split between Rugby Union and Rugby League:

Another major factor that lead into consequently bending the rules and traditions of Rugby was the division between Rugby Union & Rugby League. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the sport of rugby split into two distinct codes: rugby union and rugby league. The split was caused by disagreements over payment for players (amongst other issues). Since then, the two sides have developed independently ever since. Rugby union is the most widely played form of the sport today, with 15-player teams, while rugby league features 13-player teams and a slightly different set of rules.

Professionalism and Globalization:

In the year 1995, rugby union officially became a professional sport. This was a huge deal at the time, as it meant players would be professionally paid for their services. This move became super important as it helped to further increase the popularity/reach of the sport, and eventually led to the formation of new professional leagues around the world. In addition, rugby has become increasingly globalized in recent years, with teams and players from countries such as New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, and Argentina competing at the highest levels.

The Future of Rugby:

As rugby continues to evolve and change as time goes on, many experts predict that the sport could become even more globalized in the future, with new teams and players emerging from countries where rugby is not traditionally played, such as the USA. Advances in technology and sports science could also lead to further changes in the way the sport is played and coached.

From this, we can definitely be assured that Rugby won't be going anywhere anytime soon!