Curious about rugby but don’t know where to start? Whether you're wondering how long a rugby game lasts, what exactly a scrum is, or where to watch the Six Nations Championship in the U.S., we’ve got you covered—rules, players, and TV5MONDE’s unbeatable rugby union programming included.

🏉 Is rugby different from football?

Yes. Rugby is different from both soccer and American football in shape, rules, equipment, and scoring.

• Compared to soccer: Rugby uses an oval-shaped ball, allows handling and intense physical contact through tackles, scrum resets, and penalty kicks. Soccer is foot-based, goal-focused, and contact-minimal.
• Compared to American football: Rugby features continuous flow with fewer stoppages. You can only kick or pass backward, not forward. Players wear minimal gear—no helmets or heavy shoulder pads. There’s no quarterback or specialized offensive/defensive units—each rugby team plays all day long.

📺 Where can I watch rugby in America?

You can catch elite rugby action—Top 14, European Rugby Champions Cup, Six Nations, and matches involving the France national team—on TV5MONDE USA. They air high-level rugby union competition, playoffs, finales, and weekly highlights.

Subscribing via streaming platforms (Sling TV) or cable (Xfinity, Cox, Fios by Verizon, Spectrum and many more) grants full access. Games available live and on DVR. No VPN needed—just pick your match, from Euro club showdowns to Six Nations rivalries, and enjoy the action-packed sport.

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⏱ How Long Is Half Time in Six Nations?

Half time in Six Nations is 10 minutes.

This is a standard in top-level rugby union. After ten minutes, teams return for the second half, and the referee restarts the match. During this time, coaches discuss strategy and players grab a quick bite or switch gear.

⏳ How Long Does a Rugby Game Go for?

A standard rugby union match lasts 80 minutes, divided into two 40-minute halves. The game clock keeps running—even during stoppages. So unlike American football, the clock doesn’t stop for every play. That’s why stoppage time (added by the referee for scrums, injuries, etc.) can extend play into the 83rd or 84th minute.

👥 How Many Players Are on the Field at One Time in Rugby?

There are 15 players per team, so 30 players on the field in rugby union. That includes 8 forwards (specializing in scrums and lineouts) and 7 backs (speed and tactical kicks).

🚨 What Is the Minimum Number of Players in Rugby?

To continue a match, a rugby team must have at least 12 players on the field. If any side cannot field fewer than twelve due to injury or red cards, the game is abandoned by the referee.

🛋 How Many Players Are on the Bench in Rugby Union?

In international and professional rugby union, teams usually have 8 or 9 substitutes on the bench. These replacement players cover key positions—front row, scrum half, fly-half, backs, and loose forwards. Once substituted, players cannot return, ensuring tactical stays or rotations.

🔄 What Is a Scrum in Rugby?

A scrum is one of rugby's most iconic formations. It involves eight forwards from each team binding together and interlocking with the opposition. They push in unison to contest possession after minor infractions (e.g., forward ball, knock-on). The referee or scrum-half puts the ball into the middle, and whichever pack gains control feeds it to the backs.

The scrum is a test of strength, technique, and teamwork—especially within the forward eight. It can change momentum, assert dominance, and is a spectacle in itself.

🎯 Other Key Concepts in Rugby

Here are some fast facts for rugby newbies:

• Lineout: Restart from the sideline when the ball goes out. Jumpers are lifted by teammates to catch the throw.
• Penalty & Penalty Kick: Infractions lead to either tap or kick and tactical play, often aiming for points.
• Tackle: Players must release the ball and allow a ruck to form immediately after contact.
• Drop Kick: Way to score during open play by dropping the ball and kicking it on the rebound.
• Open Play: The continuous, flowing period between structured stops like scrums, lineouts, and penalties.

💡 Why Rugby Is Worth Watching

• Continuous action, unlike stop-start sports.
• Mix of power (forwards) and speed (backs).
• Tactical depth—reading a scrum or anticipating line-breaks is just as strategic as calling a play in football.
• Unique scoring variety: tries (5 pts), conversions (2 pts), penalties and drop-goals (3 pts).
• International competition is fierce—Six Nations, Rugby World Cup, sevens at the Olympics—all easy to follow.

Start watching rugby now on TV5MONDE USA!

🏆 Where to Watch & Why TV5MONDE Rocks

Don’t just take our word for it—if you want top-tier rugby, including Six Nations, Top 14, Champions Cup, and matches featuring your favorite French stars (Antoine Dupont, Fabien Penaud...), TV5MONDE USA is where it’s at:

• 📺 Airs domestic and international games
• 🕒 Covers knockout battles, finals, and highlight shows
• 📲 Available via streaming & cable

👉 Grab the schedule or subscribe here: TV5MONDE USA Rugby

🏟️ Final Thoughts

Rugby is a thrilling blend of contact, skill, tradition, and strategy. It’s not just a sport—it’s an experience, a cultural phenomenon, and a community rallying cry. Whether you're blown away by a well-taken penalty kick, shocked by a turnover from a dominant scrum, or cheering as a ball sails over the posts for extras—you’ll quickly see why rugby has legions of fans worldwide.

Want to dip your toe into the chaos? Catch it all—Top 14, Six Nations, French national matches, and more—on TV5MONDE USA, where rugby union fans get the best seat in the house. 👉 Check the full schedule here and dive in!





Photo credits: Rugby Union Scrum © PierreSelim, CC BY-SA 3.0 <https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-sa/3.0>, via Wikimedia Commons