Rugby union is most often referred to as simply rugby.
Rugby union has established itself as a popular sport for both spectators and participants, particularly in Australia, Argentina, England, Fiji, France, Georgia, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Madagascar, Bermuda, New Zealand, Cook Islands, Romania (and Moldova), Samoa, Scotland, South Africa, Tonga and Wales.
Besides the full-contact, 15-a-side code, there are two major variants:
* Rugby sevens, in which there are only 7 players per side, and each half is normally 7 minutes.
* Touch Rugby, in which 'tackles' are made by simply touching the ball carrier with two hands.
