Highest governing body | World Rugby |
---|---|
Nicknames | X, Rugby X |
Characteristics | |
Contact | Full Contact |
Team members | five |
Mixed-sex | Separate competitions |
Type | Team sport, indoor, variant of rugby union |
Rugby X is a variant of rugby union, or more precisely rugby sevens, in which teams are made up of five players, typically three forwards and two backs. Matches are much shorter, usually played for ten minutes, without any half-time break.
The game was invented by Ben Ryan as variant of rugby sevens with more speed and action, and was first launched on 29 October 2019 as a six teams international tournament in The O2 Arena, London.
The rules (law variations) are similar to rugby sevens and are approved by World Rugby.[1]
The game is intended as fast-paced version of sevens rugby, but contrary to this seven-a-side version, its rules vastly diverge from the rugby union classic rules :[1]
The project was initially launched by Ben Ryan, former Olympic gold medalist Fiji's coach, with the cooperation of both World Rugby and RFU; the first tournament being held in London, England.[2]