How to Bet on Rugby Union: A Complete Beginner's Guide

What is Rugby Union Betting?

Rugby Union betting is exactly as it sounds, where you place bets on the outcomes of rugby union matches, tournaments or even specific events within a game. There are plenty of opportunities for bettors to take part in rugby betting throughout the year, with major tournaments like the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations and the Rugby Championship, along with top club competitions such as the Premiership Rugby and Super Rugby, so you’re spoilt for choice! 

Popular Rugby Union Betting Markets

Match Winner

A match winner bet is the simplest form of rugby betting. Here, you can choose the team that you believe will win the match, or if you feel it will be a draw, you can also bet on this outcome. 

Handicap Betting

Slightly more complicated, handicap betting evens the playing field. The dominant team is allocated a points deficit (e.g. -10.5), and the underdog is given more of a head start (+10.5). Handicap bets adds value to one-sided matches. 

Total Points (Over/Under)

Here, you bet on the number of points scored in a game in total. Your chosen bookmaker will give you a starting point (e.g. 42.5) and you can decide whether the points will be higher or lower than that point. 

Winning Margin

A winning margin bet is where the bettor predicts how many points a team will win by. If you’re confident that a team will win, this can be a good choice. 

First Try Scorer/Anytime Try Scorcer

This is where you wager on which player will score the first try or whether they will score a try at any point throughout the game. These bets tend to come with higher than average odds, so can be an ideal choice for knowledgeable fans.

Half-Time/Full-Time Result

Another popular betting market is the half-time and full-time result, where bettors can bet on the outcome of the match at half-time or at full-time. Here, you would back a team to be leading at both intervals. 

If you follow other seasonal sports too, our cricket betting strategy guide and our boxing betting strategy guide cover two more markets worth exploring

How to Start Betting on Rugby Union

Choose a Reputable Sportsbook

Select a licensed and trustworthy online sportsbook that offers competitive odds on Rugby Union. You can see our list of the top rugby betting sites in the UK.

Understand the Teams and Players

We recommend staying informed on team form, player injuries, weather conditions and recent performances. These are all factors that can heavily influence match outcomes.

Start with Simple Bets

If you are new to Rugby Union betting, it is a good idea to start with straightforward markets like match winner or over/under points before exploring more complicated bets. 

Set a Budget and Stick to It

As with all forms of gambling, it is important to stay away from over-betting and betting more than you can afford. Please always gamble responsibly. 

Rugby Union Betting Tips

• Watch the Games: Understanding the flow of play can aid you in making smarter bets.

• Study Head-to-Head Records: Certain teams are historically dominant over others, even when the form suggests otherwise. 

• Weather Matters: Adverse weather patterns can drastically affect the game’s scoring potential, which is important for total points markets. 

• Home Advantage is Real: It is believed that rugby union teams often perform better on home soil. This is especially true in international matches. 

• Use Multiple Bookmakers: We recommend comparing odds across different platforms to find the best value for your bets. 

Our betting strategy hub covers plenty more sports in the same depth.