Rugby Betting Guide: How to Bet on Rugby and Tips to Win

Rugby isn’t just a game of brute strength—it’s a thrilling contest of strategy, precision, and explosive moments. Whether it's the high-stakes drama of international competitions or the fierce rivalries in domestic leagues, rugby has a unique charm that captivates fans across the globe. And if you're one of those fans, placing bets on rugby can make the action even more intense and rewarding.

With online bookmakers offering a wide range of markets across both Rugby Union and Rugby League, there’s never been a better time to get involved. From predicting tournament winners to backing your favorite player to score the next try, rugby betting offers dynamic opportunities for seasoned punters and newcomers alike.

This comprehensive guide breaks down everything you need to know about rugby betting—including key bet types, top leagues, strategies to win, and how to get started. Whether you're chasing profits or just adding excitement to match day, this guide is your perfect playbook.

Understanding the Differences Between Rugby Union and Rugby League

While both codes share similarities, Rugby Union and Rugby League have distinct rules and gameplay, which influence betting strategies.

Online bookmakers typically offer markets for both codes, allowing bettors to choose based on their preferences and knowledge.

Major Leagues and Tournaments to Bet On

Rugby Union

Rugby League

Rugby Betting Markets

You can bet on hundreds of markets, from outright betting to match betting to statistics betting to in-game (live) betting for rugby union and rugby league competitions.

Like football(soccer), there are also multiple markets available for each half as well as for the whole game. Multiple “ante-post” (pre-season) specials and in-game specials and bets are also available for individual performances.

The rugby markets are almost the same as the football markets, with different terms and expressions used for the same bets. For example, Rugby markets will offer a “First Try scorer” instead of a “First Goal scorer” market on football, but it is the same bet.

The large number of games played in a standard season worldwide means that accumulator betting is also possible with the chance for big returns – especially as rugby teams appear to be less evenly matched than football or ice-hockey teams.

Types of Outright Rugby Bets

Outright betting in rugby refers to placing wagers on long-term outcomes, typically before a tournament or season begins. These markets are ideal for fans who enjoy analyzing form, fixtures, and team development over time.

Here are some of the most popular outright bets offered by online bookmakers:

1. To Win Tournament / League (Outright Winner)

This is the most straightforward outright market: you’re betting on which team will win the entire tournament or league. For example, you can back New Zealand to win the Rugby World Cup or Leinster to win the United Rugby Championship.

Odds are typically available months in advance and can offer great value if you bet before favorites emerge. It’s crucial to consider squad depth, recent form, and injury updates before locking in this type of bet.

2. Top Try Scorer

In this market, you’re betting on which individual player will score the most tries during a tournament or league season. This bet is especially popular in World Cups or Six Nations events.

Wingers and fullbacks are usually among the top contenders, as they are often involved in attacking plays. Factors to evaluate include the team’s offensive style, the player’s past scoring stats, and the strength of their opposition.

3. To Reach the Final

Instead of betting on a team to win the tournament, this market allows you to back a team to reach the final match—an attractive option if you think a team has a strong run ahead but might fall short at the last hurdle.

These bets offer slightly higher chances of payout than outright winners and are especially useful in knockout-style tournaments like the Rugby World Cup or European Champions Cup.

4. Stage of Elimination

This bet lets you predict the exact stage at which a team will be eliminated from the competition—group stage, quarterfinals, semifinals, or final. It's a fun and strategic market for bettors who want to evaluate the difficulty of each team’s draw. Teams in “groups of death” or facing tough quarterfinal opponents often offer higher returns in this market.

5. Winning Hemisphere / Country

This is a broader category bet where you wager on which hemisphere or country will produce the tournament winner. For example, you can bet that a Southern Hemisphere team (like South Africa, Australia, or New Zealand) will win the Rugby World Cup.

It’s a popular option when you're confident in a region’s dominance but unsure of the exact winning team.

Types of Match Rugby Bets

Match betting markets are where most of the action takes place in rugby betting. These bets focus on the outcome of a single game, and they are especially popular among fans who follow teams and player performances closely.

Here are 10 of the most common and exciting match betting options offered by online bookmakers:

1. Match Winner (1X2 or Money Line)

This is the most basic form of betting, where you simply choose which team will win the match. In some formats, a draw (X) is also a possible outcome—especially in league formats. This market is popular in both Rugby Union and Rugby League matches. When placing this bet, consider home advantage, team news, and recent form.

2. Handicap Betting

In handicap betting, the bookmaker gives one team a virtual head start (e.g., +7.5 points), leveling the playing field. This market is designed to make one-sided matches more competitive for bettors.

If the favorite is expected to win comfortably, betting against the spread (with a points handicap) can offer better value than a straight win bet.

3. Total Points (Over/Under)

This market allows you to bet on the combined number of points scored in a match by both teams. You’re not predicting the winner but whether the total score will be over or under a specific number set by the bookmaker.

For example, if the line is 44.5 and you bet “Over,” both teams must score 45 or more points combined for your bet to win. Factors like weather, playing style, and team strength influence this market.

4. Winning Margin

This bet involves predicting by how many points a team will win. Options are usually offered in ranges, such as “Team A to win by 1–10 points” or “Team B to win by 11–20 points.” It's a more advanced wager for bettors who have strong insights into how dominant a performance is likely to be.

Useful in matches where one team is favored, but not overwhelmingly so.

5. Half-Time / Full-Time

Here, you’re betting on the result at both half-time and full-time. For example, you might bet on “Team A/Team A,” meaning they’ll lead at the break and win the match. It’s a good market when you expect one team to start strong and maintain dominance.

Riskier options like “Draw/Team A” can offer higher returns.

6. First Try Scorer

This market allows you to bet on which player will score the first try in the match. Wingers and fast outside backs are typically favorites in this market, given their try-scoring roles. It's a high-risk, high-reward market and often used for small-stakes, big-odds bets.

Team news and lineup positions are critical to check before betting.

7. Anytime Try Scorer

Similar to the First Try Scorer market, but more forgiving—you’re betting on a player to score a try at any point in the match. Odds are shorter than for the first try but still offer good value, especially for players who frequently break the line.

Excellent for bettors who follow individual player form.

8. Both Teams to Score a Try

In this market, you’re betting on whether both teams will score at least one try during the match. This is ideal for games between attacking sides or matches where defenses are likely to be breached. If either team is weak in defense, this market often presents good value.

9. Team Total Points Over/Under

Rather than betting on the total match score, this market focuses on how many points one specific team will score.

For example, you might bet that “England Over 25.5 Points.” It’s ideal when you expect one team to dominate offensively, or when you think one side will struggle to score.

10. Draw No Bet

With this option, your stake is returned if the match ends in a draw. It's a safer alternative to the Match Winner market in fixtures where a draw is a realistic possibility.

You get lower odds than a straight win bet, but with extra security—great for close matchups.

Types of In-Play Rugby Bets

Live betting allows wagers to be placed during the match, with odds updating in real-time.

1. Next Try Scorer: Bet on the player who will score the next try.

2. Next Team to Score: Wager on which team will score next.

3. Total Points in Next 10 Minutes: Predict the number of points scored in a specific time frame.

4. Team to Score Next Penalty: Bet on which team will score the next penalty.

5. Lead Changes: Wager on whether the lead will change hands during the match.

Rugby Betting Strategies

Rugby betting isn’t just about luck — it’s about smart analysis. The most successful bettors rely on data, current form, and strategic insight to make informed decisions. Here are five critical strategies to improve your odds when betting on rugby:

1. Analyze Team Form and Recent Results

Understanding a team’s recent performances is vital. Don’t just look at their win/loss record — examine who they’ve played against, the margin of victory or defeat, and the context of each game. For example, a narrow loss against a top-tier team may be more impressive than a big win against a weak opponent.

Consider this: If Ireland has just beaten New Zealand in Dublin, their form is red-hot — especially if they dominated possession and territory. This suggests not just confidence, but also superior game management. Meanwhile, if South Africa beats a Tier 2 nation by 5 points, it might raise questions about their current cohesion.

Also track home and away performance. Some teams thrive in their home stadiums but struggle abroad due to travel fatigue or different climate conditions.

2. Assess Key Player Availability

In rugby, missing one or two players can significantly alter a team's dynamics. Injuries to key positions like fly-half, scrum-half, or a dominant forward can cripple a team’s offensive or defensive system.

For instance, if England’s Owen Farrell is out, the entire kicking strategy may shift, affecting point-scoring potential. Similarly, the absence of a key forward like Siya Kolisi (South Africa) can weaken rucks and reduce turnover opportunities.

Always check pre-match reports and press conferences. Team sheets released a day or two before a match provide crucial insights. Betting early might offer value, but betting after lineup confirmation increases accuracy.

3. Understand Weather and Pitch Conditions

Rugby is heavily affected by the weather. Rain, wind, or extreme heat can influence playing style and overall match tempo. A rainy day often leads to more scrums, handling errors, and tactical kicking — favoring underdogs who can scrap for territory rather than finesse.

For example, a match between New Zealand and France in Marseille might see more open, fast-paced rugby under dry skies. But the same fixture on a wet Dublin night could be a low-scoring battle won by penalty kicks and forward grit.

In such scenarios, bet on lower total points (Under) or alternative strategies like “First scoring method: Penalty” or “No Try in the First 10 Minutes.”

4. Compare Playing Styles and Tactical Matchups

Each rugby team has a signature playing style. New Zealand thrives on fluid counterattacks and quick offloads. England focuses on tactical kicking and lineout dominance. South Africa is known for physicality and set-piece control.

Match these styles against each other. A team like Fiji, which prefers unstructured play and quick transitions, may struggle against teams with strong defensive structures and aggressive tackling like Ireland or Wales.

Look at head-to-head matchups and the tactical plans deployed in past encounters. If a team has repeatedly exploited another's defensive flaws — for instance, Wales beating Australia through the midfield — that trend can indicate a betting edge.

5. Monitor Betting Market Movements

Watch for sudden shifts in betting lines and odds. A big drop in odds on one team could signal insider information, such as an injury rumor or weather update. Line movement can also reflect public sentiment — when heavy betting comes in on one team, the odds shorten.

If France opens at -4.5 but quickly shifts to -6.5 against Italy, something significant likely changed — either a key Italian injury or an overreaction to previous results. Learn to differentiate sharp money (from professional bettors) from recreational betting.

Use this info not just to chase better prices, but to understand market psychology and time your bets.

How to Start Betting on Rugby

Follow these steps to begin your rugby betting journey:

Conclusion

Rugby betting offers a diverse and exciting array of markets for both Rugby Union and Rugby League enthusiasts. By understanding the differences between the two codes, familiarizing yourself with various betting types, and employing strategic analysis, you can enhance your betting experience and increase your chances of success. Always remember to bet responsibly and enjoy the thrill that rugby brings to the betting world. Good Luck!