Rugby union betting

Rugby union is played fifteen a side over two halves of 40 minutes. A try is worth five points and the conversion after it two more, while a penalty kick or a drop goal is worth three. With scoring in such different sizes, a lead of seven or eight points is a single converted try, and a team can come back quickly.

Gaps in strength between teams are often large, so the handicap is one of the most followed markets: the favourite gives the other side a start in points, and the bet is about the margin, not just who wins.

Markets you usually see

• Match result - home, draw or away after 80 minutes.
• Handicap - the favourite gives a start in points.
• Total points - over or under a line of points in the match.

Competitions

The Six Nations and the Rugby Championship bring the national teams together every year, and the Rugby World Cup every four years. Week in, week out, the clubs play in England's Premiership, France's Top 14, the United Rugby Championship and Super Rugby Pacific, with the European cups alongside.

Questions people ask

How is rugby union scored?

A try is five points and a conversion two more. A penalty kick or a drop goal is three points.

Why is the handicap so popular in rugby?

Many matches have a clear favourite, so betting on the margin with a start in points gives a closer contest than betting on the winner alone.

Is extra time counted?

Match result, handicap and totals markets are usually settled on the 80 minutes of regular time.

More sports: Rugby League, American Football, Australian Football.