Rugby

Rugby is a sport that was designed in England, originally based on soccer. In its early days, some versions of Rugby did not allow players to pick up the ball and a round ball was used, but later on an oval ball was used. Rugby is the basis of both Rugby Union (original rugby), Rugby League (a later version), American football and Australian Rules football. Rugby is played seriously in several countries around the world, including all of Great Britain (who play individually as England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and Northern Ireland), Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and the Pacific Islands east of Australia, including Fiji, Samoa and Western Samoa. Rugby League, which was invented in Australia, is played seriously in Australia, New Zealand, France and England only but is most seriously played in Australia. Rugby Union has a World Cup every 4 years, as does Rugby League, though Rugby League is not taken as seriously as only Australia plays it particularly seriously and Australia are very dominant in Rugby League.