Rugby football is one of Britain's most popular team sports and is divided into two codes: rugby union (15 players a side) and rugby league (13 players a side, traditionally strongest in the north of England). All four UK nations field teams; Twickenham in south-west London is the home of English rugby union.
Further reading: an editorial guide on this topic opens in a new window for additional context.
The annual Six Nations Championship is contested by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland, France and Italy and is one of the highlights of the sporting calendar. The Calcutta Cup is awarded to the winner of England versus Scotland. The Rugby World Cup is held every four years; England won it in 2003.
You may be asked which English ground is the home of rugby union (Twickenham), how many countries play in the Six Nations (six), or which year England won the Rugby World Cup (2003).
Test yourself on this topic
These questions from the official-format question bank cover the same material. Tap any question to see the correct answer and a short explanation.
Keep going
- Read the full study notes for Modern Society.
- Try a practice test on this chapter.
- Sit a full 24-question timed mock.
- Browse the complete library of topic explainers.
Related topic explainers
British Visual Arts
Constable, Turner, Bacon, Hockney and the Tate galleries that house their work.
State Schools in the UK
How free education works from age 5 to 18 — primary, secondary, GCSEs and A-Levels.
The BBC and Public Broadcasting
How the licence fee funds the BBC and what its independence from government means.
British Architecture
From medieval cathedrals to the Shard — a tour through 800 years of British buildings.