The ball resembles an American football but is approximately 24 in. Thus easier to kick and more difficult to pass. Because blocking and interference are illegal, no heavy padding is required. A uniform consists of shorts, jersey, and cleated boots - that's it. The Rules Play starts with a kickoff, and the aim of each team is to carry the ball across the opponent's goal line or kick the ball over the crossbar of the goalposts centered on each goal line.
Players advance the ball by running with the ball, passing it, or kicking it.
In rugby union, when a player is tackled the ball must be released immediately and may then be played by the nearest player of either team. Play is continuous except when interuppted for a rule infraction or when the ball goes out of bounds. A player from the team opposing the one that last touched the ball tosses it between the two lines, and the two teams then struggle for possession. Rugby League Rugby League, first played in 1895, differs from rugby union in several respects. These variations from the older game of rugby union, devised at Rugby School around 1840, are designed to encourage passing and running and make the game more attractive to spectators.