Rugby is played in several codes that determine how many players take the field: Rugby Union fields fifteen players per side, Rugby League fields thirteen players per side and Rugby Sevens fields seven players per side, a variation that is also contested at the Olympic level. These numbers are set out in the official laws created by the World Rugby Laws Committee at World Rugby and by the International Rugby League Laws Committee at International Rugby League, defining positions, substitutions and the structure of play. Understanding these differences clarifies why tactical shapes, player workloads and the spectator experience vary so markedly between codes.
Different codes and play styles
The split between codes grew from historical, social and economic pressures that shaped rule changes and team sizes. Rugby historian Tony Collins at De Montfort University explains how the early divergence led to smaller teams in Rugby League to encourage more open play and faster matches, while Rugby Union retained larger packs and contested scrums that emphasize set-piece strategy. Those origins remain visible in the rhythm of each game, from the close physical exchanges of forwards to the space exploited by backs in the faster codes.
Consequences for tactics, safety and communities
Team size influences tactics, injury risk and the local cultures that surround clubs. Sports scientist Dr Tim Gabbett at University of Technology Sydney has examined how match demands differ by code and how periodization and recovery must adapt to the number of players and intensity of contact. Smaller-sided formats such as Sevens require greater aerobic output per player and reward speed and individual skill, while fifteen-a-side rugby distributes collisions across more players and supports specialized positional roles. These dynamics shape coaching pathways, community engagement and the export of talent from regions where rugby is central to social identity such as the Pacific Islands and parts of Europe and the southern hemisphere.
Territory, identity and global reach
Because the number of players affects playing style, it also colors regional identities and environmental footprints of the sport; stadia, youth programs and local rivalries reflect whether communities prioritize open, fast rugby or structured, set-piece traditions. Governing bodies and academic research together document how these differences matter for development programs, safety protocols and the cultural meanings attached to rugby in each territory, making the simple question of how many players a rugby team has a doorway into complex social, tactical and institutional landscapes.
