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Quizzes > Sports

Rugby Rules Quiz: Test Your Game Sense

Quick, free rugby knowledge test with 15 multiple-choice questions. Instant results.

Editorial: Review CompletedCreated By: Jeannette LoakmanUpdated Aug 25, 2025
Difficulty: Moderate
Questions: 20
Learning OutcomesStudy Material
Colorful paper art depicting a rugby scene for a knowledge assessment quiz

This rugby rules quiz helps you check your grasp of key laws, positions, and match situations in 15 quick questions. See what you know, spot gaps, and learn along the way, then try our sports mcq quiz or compare your knowledge with a football knowledge quiz and a soccer knowledge test.

How many points is a try worth in rugby union?
3 points
2 points
5 points
4 points
A try is worth 5 points under the standard scoring system in rugby union. It represents grounding the ball in the opponent's in-goal area. Conversions and penalty goals carry different values.
What is the name of the kick used to restart play after a team scores a try?
Kick-off
Lineout
Drop-out
Scrum
After a team scores a try, play is restarted with a kick-off from the halfway line. This kick sends the ball back into open play. Other options like lineout and scrum are used for different stoppages.
Which position is designated by the number 9 jersey in rugby union?
Flanker
Hooker
Fly-half
Scrum-half
The scrum-half wears number 9 and links the forwards and backs by distributing ball from scrums, rucks, and mauls. The fly-half wears 10 and directs play. Other positions have different numbers.
What term describes the formation when the ball is on the ground and players from both teams bind over it?
Lineout
Ruck
Maul
Scrum
A ruck forms when the ball is on the ground and one or more players from each team bind over it. A maul occurs when the ball carrier is held but not grounded. Scrums and lineouts are set-piece restarts.
How many players does each team have on the field in a standard rugby union match?
11 players
13 players
14 players
15 players
In rugby union, each team fields 15 players: eight forwards and seven backs. Rugby league uses 13 players. Other numbers correspond to variations or informal games.
Which scenario constitutes a knock-on?
Player kicks the ball accidentally
Player drops the ball forward onto the ground
Player passes the ball backward
Player catches a pass going forward
A knock-on occurs when a player loses possession and the ball goes forward from the hands or arms, hitting the ground or another player. Forward passes are illegal but signaled differently. Kicks are not knock-ons.
How many points is a penalty goal worth in rugby union?
1 point
2 points
3 points
5 points
A successful penalty goal adds 3 points to the team's score. Tries yield 5 points, drop goals 3, and conversions 2. Penalties are kicked from the mark of the infringement.
In which situation is a maul formed?
Players form a triangle to restart play
Both teams push in a set scrum
Ball is on the ground and players bind over it
Ball carrier is held up by an opponent and one of his teammates binds on
A maul happens when the ball carrier is held by at least one opponent and at least one teammate binds on, while the ball remains off the ground. Rucks involve the ball on the ground. Scrums and triangles are different phases.
How many meters must defenders retreat from a penalty mark?
10 meters
5 meters
15 meters
7 meters
At a penalty, defenders must retire 10 meters from the mark or to their goal line, whichever is nearer. This provides space for the kicking team. Other distances apply at scrums or lineouts.
Which player is responsible for throwing the ball into a lineout?
Fly-half
Scrum-half
Lock
Hooker
The hooker normally throws the ball in at a lineout, aiming for teammates in the air. The scrum-half feeds the scrum and performs other roles. Locks lift in the lineout, not throw.
How many substitutions are allowed for a team in most professional rugby union matches?
7 substitutions
6 substitutions
9 substitutions
8 substitutions
Professional rugby union permits up to eight tactical replacements during a match, plus additional temporary blood or head injury replacements. This rule balances player welfare with game continuity.
What is the primary advantage of using a spin pass over a pop pass?
Guarantees a forward pass
Greater distance and accuracy through the air
Easier to catch under heavy traffic
Slower delivery for close support
A spin pass uses the ball's spiral to travel farther and more accurately in open play. A pop pass is shorter and quicker. No technique guarantees a forward pass, as that is illegal.
After making a tackle, what must the tackler do immediately?
Pick up the ball from the tackle
Maintain contact and contest with hands
Stand still until play stops
Release the tackled player and the ball
Once the tackle is completed, the tackler must release the ball and the tackled player, then roll away. This allows fair contest for possession at the ensuing ruck or maul.
What is a grubber kick?
A kick taken without a tee
A drop goal attempt
A high, hanging kick into space
A low kick that makes the ball roll along the ground
A grubber kick is struck so the ball skids or rolls on the ground, making it harder for defenders to collect. High kicks are called up-and-unders or bombs, and drop goals are scored by drop-kicking through the posts.
What does it mean when a player is offside in open play?
They are behind the kicker at a restart
They are on their own side of the halfway line
They are more than 10 meters from a ruck
They are in front of a teammate who last played the ball
A player is offside if they are ahead of a teammate who last played the ball and then participate in play. Being behind a restart kicker or distance from a ruck does not on its own cause offside.
Under the 50:22 law, what reward does the kicking team receive if they kick from inside their own half and the ball bounces into touch inside the opponent's 22-meter area?
They receive a free kick at halfway
They get a scrum at midfield
They award a penalty to the opposition
They win the resulting lineout throw
Under the 50:22 law, if the ball is kicked from inside the kicking team's half and bounces before going into touch inside the opponent's 22, the kicking team is awarded the lineout. This encourages tactical kicking and space creation.
What is the minimum number of players required to form a legal maul?
Three players (one ball carrier, one teammate, one opponent)
Two players (carrier and one opponent)
Four players
Five players
A legal maul requires at least three players: the ball carrier, one teammate, and one opponent, all bound together. Fewer players does not meet the law's definition of a maul.
Which condition disallows a quick throw-in after the ball has gone into touch?
The ball lands beyond 15 meters
It follows a penalty
The thrower is wearing boots
The ball has been touched by an opponent before retrieval
A quick throw-in cannot be taken if the ball has been touched by an opponent or if a lineout has formed. Touching by an opponent invalidates the original throw-in opportunity.
During a ruck, how may a player legally win possession of the ball?
By using their feet to hook or kick the ball backwards
By reaching in with their hands
By standing over the ball and lifting it
By driving from the side of the ruck
In a ruck the ball must be played with the feet; handling the ball is not allowed once the ruck is formed. Driving from the side is illegal and will incur a penalty.
Which player is permitted to pick the ball up from the base of a scrum once it is in steady position?
Lock
Scrum-half
Number 8
Openside flanker
Once the scrum is steady and the ball arrives at the back, only the number 8 may pick it up directly from the base. The scrum-half must wait for it to exit before playing it.
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Learning Outcomes

  1. Identify key rugby laws and regulations
  2. Apply strategic thinking to game situations
  3. Evaluate player roles and positions effectively
  4. Analyse scoring scenarios and decision outcomes
  5. Demonstrate understanding of rugby terminology
  6. Master fundamental skills and game concepts

Cheat Sheet

  1. Master the Core Laws of Rugby - Dive into scoring methods like tries, conversions, and penalty kicks, plus rules on onside, offsides, and foul play. Knowing the regulations prevents nasty surprises from the ref and keeps your team in the game. Build this strong rulebook base to tackle any challenge on the pitch!
  2. Discover Each Position's Superpowers - From bruising forwards to lightning-fast backs, every role has a secret sauce that keeps the team humming. Learn who leads the scrum, who kicks the ball, and who makes those heroic try-saving tackles. Chatting with the squad will feel like decoding a rugby-themed superhero roster!
  3. Sharpen Your Defensive Gameplan - A solid defense turns opponents' attacks into scoring chances - think of it as turning lemons into lemonade, but with rugby tackles. Explore line-speed, tackling technique, and drift defense to shut down rivals like a fortress. Great defense often wins the day, so suit up and lock down that line!
  4. Break Down Scoring Scenarios - Tries, conversions, penalty kicks, and drop goals each offer points and strategy twists worth mastering. Get crafty about when to kick for goal versus go full steam ahead for that five-pointer. This strategic toolbox will have you plotting match-winning moves like a pro coach!
  5. Speak the Rugby Lingo - Scrums, rucks, mauls, and offsides - oh my! Building a solid rugby vocabulary helps you communicate tactics and understand match commentary without dozing off. With this glossary at your fingertips, you'll drop terms like "quick tap" and "upward lift" like a seasoned commentator!
  6. Hone Essential Skills - Passing, tackling, and kicking are your rugby bread and butter - practice until you can nail them in your sleep. Juggling these core moves builds confidence and keeps you ready for any on-field dilemma. Think of drills as your personal rugby gym: sweat today, shine tomorrow!
  7. Prioritize Player Safety - Understanding high tackles, head contacts, and safe playing zones keeps you - and your teammates - off the treatment table. Good technique means fewer injuries and more epic game time. Remember: the best player is the one who stays on the pitch the whole match!
  8. Conquer Set Pieces - Scrums and line-outs are rugby's strategic chess moves - get them right, and you'll own midfield territory. Learn hooking, binding, lifting, and catching techniques to outsmart the opposition. These moments are game-changers, so practicing set-piece magic is non-negotiable!
  9. Think Like a Pro on the Field - Split-second decision-making makes stars out of players - should you pass, kick, or crash through that gap? Study real match situations to sharpen your instincts and reactions. The better your on-the-spot choices, the closer you get to match-winning brilliance!
  10. Appreciate Rugby's Evolution - From its roots in 19th-century England to today's global phenomenon, rugby's laws and traditions have done a fascinating dance. Seeing how rules adapted over time gives you context for modern tactics and referee signals. History buffs and rugby nerds alike will enjoy this journey through time!
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