Rugby is a game that is a mixture of Grid Iron Football and Soccer.  In 1824 while playing soccer in England, William Webb Ellis got tired of kicking the ball, he picked it up and began running with it.  From then on Rugby was born.  When the English brought soccer and rugby to the United States, both were popular sports in school.  It is rugby that gave birth to the Grid Iron Football as we know it now.

Football has a lot of similarities to Rugby.  In Football, the offensive side, you have 11 players, 2 Tackles, 2 Guards, a Center, Tight End, 2 Wide Outs, 3 Backs (the Quarterback, Halfback and Fullback).  The job of the linemen is to block the defenders for the Backs to run or the Quarterback to throw to his receivers.

Rugby has a few more players with 15 on the field.  There are 8 Forwards, 2 Props, a Hooker, 2 Locks, 2 Flankers, and a Number 8.  There are also 7 Backs, a Scrumhalf, Flyhalf, 2 Centers (Inside and Outside), 2 Wings and a Fullback.

This is where Rugby differs from Football, everyone in Rugby can score, and they have to be able to run, kick, pass and catch the ball.  It’s not just the backs getting the glory of scoring the game winning touch down or Try as it is called in Rugby

Soccer isn’t left out either, they play two 45 minute halves, wear shorts, a jersey, socks and boots (cleats).  Rugby has its own version; they play two 40 minute halves, wear shorts, a jersey, socks and boots.  A little known fact, when you see a Rugby Jersey or rugby style shirt, it usually has a white collar on it.  This is because in the early days of the game, it was only the educated that played Rugby and the white collar identified them as such.  Therefore the white collar remained a tradition of the jersey.   

The USA fields both a Men’s team as well as a Women’s team.  The men’s team has struggled in previous Rugby World Cup (RWC) competitions.  Not getting out of pool play in 3 out of the 4 RWC’s.  The USA Eagles Men’s team has secured a spot in the 2007 Rugby World Cup Tournament in France and looks to make a strong showing this time. 

The USA Women’s Eagles have had a fair amount of success in their RWC competitions.  They won the first World Cup and came in second in the next two.  And with the next their next WRC competition coming in 2008, they expect to be right up in the finals again.
   
For anyone having aspirations of playing for the USA Eagles, it all starts either on your high school team or your college team.  From there you’ll learn all the ins and outs of the game from your coach and other experienced team mates.  You create bonds with your team mates and the people you play against.  If you’re lucky enough to travel and play Rugby, you’ll be enriched even more, by having that experience of playing overseas and experiencing another culture.
   
In my next article, I’ll break down each position and explain their duties during a match and give you some anecdotes from the team I coach at Southern Methodist University.