English vocabulary about Six Nations rugby

Rugby is a thrilling team sport that has captured the hearts of many people around the world. It is watched by global audiences, especially around the time of the Six Nations rugby tournament, which is happening now. The Six Nations rugby is an annual rugby competition which features teams from England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. Last year, Ireland were the champions. Understanding rugby vocabulary is useful if you’re a fan of the sport, and also if you want to speak to people about current events. Rugby has its own set of English vocabulary that describes various aspects of the game. Here is some of the rugby vocabulary you need to know in time for the Six Nations final.

What is rugby?

Rugby is played by two teams of 15 players over two halves of a game totalling 80 minutes, 

The main goal in rugby is to score more points than the opposing team. This can be achieved in several ways: 

• by scoring tries, which involves touching the ball down in the opponent’s goal area for 5 points 
• kicking conversions after a try for an additional 2 points
• earning points through penalty goals (3 points), which can be scored following a foul (an action that goes against the rules of the game) by the opposing team. These are worth 3 points
• getting drop goals, where a player drops the ball onto the ground and kicks it as it rebounds off the ground through the opponents’ goal posts. These are also worth 3 points

Rugby is not just about scoring; it also involves strategic plays during set pieces – a situation where play is restarted following specific rules after the game has been stopped due to a foul, or the ball going out of play. Some set pieces are scrums and lineouts: 

• a scrum is a way to restart the game after minor rule breaks, where players from both teams push against each other in a contest for the ball
• lineouts take place when the ball goes out of the boundary of play. It involves players being lifted in the air to catch the ball thrown in from the sideline (the side of the field)

What are some of the rules of rugby? 

In rugby, players must follow certain rules like tackling (taking the ball from someone) below the shoulders and releasing the ball once you are tackled. If you do not follow the rules of the game, or if you commit an infraction (break) of the rules, you may receive a penalty from a referee (the official responsible for teams following the rules of the game) such as: 

• a yellow card for the temporary suspension of a player 
• a red card for serious offences. Players who receive a red card are sent off permanently

What are some positions in rugby?

The team is divided into forwards and backs, each with their specific roles. For example, props and hookers are part of the front row. They aim to control the scrum. Locks (or second row players) are key in lineouts because of their height. They have to be tall. 

The backs consist of the scrum-half, who serves as a link between the forwards and backs, and the fly-half, who plays a crucial role in directing the team’s play. 

There are also centers, wingers and the fullback who form the backline. 

Each team also has utility players. These are flankers, who play at the side of the scrum, and the number eight, who is known for powerful runs from the back of the scrum.

Rugby’s blend of strategy, physicality, and teamwork makes it a fascinating sport to follow and understand. Whether you’re a new fan or looking to deepen your knowledge of the game, this language is a great way to learn about a new sport, talk about Six Nations rugby – and maybe even try playing it for yourself! If you are looking for other vocabulary related to sport, why not check out this blog post.

Activity

1. Scrum	A. The person who ensures the rules of the game are followed
2. A red card	B. A way to restart the game after a small rule break, when players push against each other for the ball
3. Referee	C. This is one of the positions that controls the scrum
4. Conversions	D. Something that goes against the rules of the game
5. Lineout	E. When players score 2 points
6. Props	F. When a player is sent off the field for breaking the rules
7. Locks	G. When players are lifted up in order to catch the ball
8. Foul	H. Tall players who are key to catching the ball when it’s thrown in from the side of the field
9. Number eight	I. When you are sent away from the pitch for a short period of time
10. A yellow card	J. A player who runs from the back of the scrum

Answers

1 B
2 F
3 A
4 E
5 G
6 C
7 H
8 D
9 J
10 I

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Billie Jagois an ELT writer and teacher trainer specialising in digital learning materials and assessment resources. She has written for various well-known assessment titles, and writes items for high stakes exams such as the PTE, IELTS and Cambridge. Alongside materials writing, she delivers international teacher training sessions and is the founder of theELTcpdprofessional development training platform and podcast. She is also the co-founder of the educational consultancy,OtterEducation.