Ever wonder what the deal is between rugby and American football? Both sports look like organized chaos with lots of tackling, dramatic kicks, and oddly shaped balls—but they’re worlds apart. Let’s break down the key differences between the two, and show you where you can catch the best of European rugby, including the Top 14 and European Rugby Cup, on TV5MONDE USA.

1. The Ball and Field

Start with the basics: the rugby ball is fatter and rounder than an American football, which makes it behave differently when kicked or passed. Both use an oval-shaped ball, but the size and grip are distinct, affecting how players throw the ball or execute a drop kick.

A rugby field is up to 100 meters long with two in-goal areas, while an American football field is 100 yards long and marked by distinct 10-yard zones leading to the end zone. The goal posts in rugby are H-shaped, ideal for penalty kicks and drop kicks. In football, Y-shaped goal posts stand behind the end zone for field goals and point-after attempts.

Both sports are played on rectangular fields, but the layout and markings reflect their unique rules.

2. Scoring System

In rugby union, a try earns 5 points, with a conversion worth 2 more. You can also score with penalty kicks or drop kicks, each giving 3 points. The emphasis is on possession and movement.

American football scores 6 points for a touchdown, followed by a 1- or 2-point conversion attempt. Field goals are worth 3 points, and safeties get 2.

So while both games reward crossing the goal line, how they get there—and what they earn—is different. Want to see how rugby players rack up points? Tune in to the Top 14 and European Rugby Cup, airing on TV5MONDE USA, including every regular season match, playoff, and the finale.

3. Tackling and Gear

If you like a good tackle, both sports deliver. But in rugby, tackles are low and strategic, followed by a ruck or scrum to contest possession. There’s no blocking the opponent like in football.

And here’s a big difference: equipment. Rugby players wear minimal gear—mouthguards, maybe soft caps—while American football players are kitted out with helmets, shoulder pads, and more. The contact is intense in both, but how they absorb and deal with it is vastly different.

Despite the gear, rugby still brings bone-rattling tackles and non-stop action. Want to experience the pure grit of rugby union? Check out the Top 14 and European Rugby Cup, live on TV5MONDE USA.

4. The Flow of the Game

This might be the biggest difference. American football is stop-and-go: the quarterback calls the play, the ball snaps, then a few seconds of chaos. Then reset. Time to strategize. It’s a game of inches and yards.

Rugby, in contrast, is all about flow. There’s no line of scrimmage, no breaks after every play. Once the ball is live, it stays that way—players react in real time. If the ball goes out, a lineout restarts it; if there’s an infraction, a scrum does.

Want non-stop movement with creative kicking and aggressive running? TV5MONDE USA brings you the full Top 14 and European Rugby Cup schedule—including weekly highlights and the all-important playoffs.

5. Strategy and Passing

American football loves the long bomb. Forward passes are the norm, and a good quarterback can win the game with his arm. Plays are mapped out in advance.

In rugby, however, you can only pass sideways or backward. Want to advance? Run with it or kick strategically. The constant repositioning of the rugby team and the opposition keeps the game unpredictable.

There’s also a higher emphasis on player versatility. In rugby, the same players attack and defend. In football, players specialize in offense or defense.

6. Rugby Union vs. Rugby League

Even rugby has its internal rivalry: rugby union vs. rugby league.

Rugby union is more common internationally and played with 15 players. Rugby league fields 13 and features a different tackle count rule—6 tackles before the ball must be turned over.

Union features more contested scrums, tactical kicking, and multi-phase plays. League leans toward faster restarts and straightforward scoring opportunities.

Both codes have passionate followings. But for fans of rugby union, France’s Top 14 is one of the most competitive leagues out there—and it’s all on TV5MONDE USA.

7. Cultural Reach

American football dominates Sundays in the U.S., with NFL franchises worth billions and American football gamesturned into family events. Players are household names.

Rugby, on the other hand, enjoys global appeal—played and followed intensely in France, the UK, South Africa, New Zealand, and Australia.

If you've played rugby or are new to it, there’s never been a better time to dive in. With TV5MONDE USA, American viewers can access the full Top 14 season, all European Cup matches, the final, and a weekly recap show.

8. Shared DNA and Key Differences

Despite their differences, these sports share common ancestors. Rugby football originated in England, and gridironevolved from it in American colleges. But the two took very different paths—one embracing armor, the other embracing fluidity.

They both have a goal line, score by crossing it, and require teamwork, toughness, and tactical brilliance.

In Short:

Rugby = continuous play, strategic kicks, brutal scrums, and lean gear.

American football = calculated throws, big shoulder pads, and explosive touchdowns.

Both sports are iconic in their own right. And if you’re craving top-tier rugby, TV5MONDE USA is your go-to. They’ve got the Top 14, European Rugby Cup, weekly highlights, playoffs, and the final—right at your fingertips.

So grab some snacks, pick a side, and let the sports battle begin!

👉 Start watching rugby here

Copyrights for this article's main image: © La Ligue Nationale de Rugby (LNR)