Home > Rugby Union > How to Bet > Types of Match

How To Bet On Rugby Union - Types of Match

You can make virtually any kind of bet on any type of rugby union match - the rules don't change. However, it's often more exciting to bet on more prestigious games. Bear in mind that some of the smaller bookmakers may not be able to provide rugby union betting odds on the more obscure matches and friendlies.

Online sports betting, especially online rugby union betting, is one way to avoid this. If you look hard enough, online rugby betting sites will show you how to bet on pretty much any game anywhere. For some guidance as to where you can bet on rugby union matches, visit our Where To Bet on Rugby Union and Top Rugby Union sites pages.

Here is a brief outline of the kind of matches you can make a Rugby Union bet on:

Betting on Rugby Union Internationals

If you enjoy big occasions, then why not bet on rugby union international matches? You'll find they are split into two main categories: Tournaments and Tours.

Tournaments include:

• The Rugby Union World Cup - Countries from all over the world compete for the title in a tournament held once every four years. The winners become world champions.

• RBS Six Nations betting - England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales compete for this annual tournament. One of the biggest events of the year, you can take part in rugby 6 Nations betting. If a team wins all of its matches, this is known as the 'Grand Slam'. If you study the form and pick the right team, Grand Slam betting can be a thrilling way to enjoy a single Rugby Union bet for the duration of the tournament!

• Tri-Nations Cup betting - Australia, New Zealand and South Africa compete for this annual tournament. Although this is a foreign affair, the popularity of the contest means that you can bet on Tri-Nations Cup games even in the UK - especially by using internet sports betting sites.

Tours usually involve a team travelling to play a collection of games in a particular country. Although the games in a tour aren't competitive in the same way as tournament games, the 'test-matches' that make up a tour are always fiercely fought. The British and Irish Lions get together for this purpose only - they don't play in tournaments.

If you fancy a bet on rugby union Lions matches, it's best to research the opposition. For example, if they are touring in New Zealand, you may find them playing a New Zealand club side you've never heard of. This makes betting on the Lions particularly interesting!

Betting on Club Rugby

In England the top rugby union league is the Rugby Union Premiership, or to give it its full title, the Guinness Premiership. The Premiership is home to clubs such as Bath Rugby, Bristol Rugby, London Irish, Saracens and Sale Sharks.

In Scotland, Wales and Ireland the top league is known as the Celtic League. Premiership and Celtic League betting is available throughout the UK, although certain bookmakers will also let you bet on the domestic leagues in France, Australia and New Zealand.

If you find cup competitions more thrilling, you could choose to make a Powergen Cup bet. As the main domestic cup competition in England and Wales, Powergen Cup betting is increasingly popular. You can find rugby union betting odds for all cup games online.

Club teams from Europe (England, France, Italy, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) also compete each year in the Heineken Cup. As the biggest club tournament across the continent you can make a Heineken Cup bet in any bookmakers.

There is also the Parker Pen Challenge Cup (including club sides from Spain and Portugal), which used to be the European Shield - for those teams who have not qualified for the Heineken Cup.

Add to del.icio.us