It’s safe to say that most rugby union punters would agree that backing winners makes the experience a lot more enjoyable. Our aim is not only to help find you those winners, but also to point you in the direction of the best rugby union betting sites.
This page has vital information on how to bet on rugby union, where you can watch rugby union and where to find the best betting app for rugby union. You can check out who we believe to be the best rugby union bookies in the list below.
Top 9 Rugby Union Betting Sites
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Top 3 Rugby Union Bookies Up Close
Here is where we put our top 3 rugby union bookmakers under the microscope. Bet365, Netbet and Boylesports are all top-notch rugby union betting sites, and below we will explain exactly what makes them stand out from the crowd. We look at things like the quality of rugby union odds, the availability of rugby union live betting and lots more. To find out why the aforementioned bookies are at the top of the pile, keep on reading…
bet365
Bet365 is a betting site that prides itself on providing punters with everything they need for rugby union betting. An industry leader, bet365 is our choice as the best betting site for rugby union and there are a few reasons why we rate bet365 so highly. Firstly, they have an unrivalled depth of pre-match and in-play markets. So, if you are betting rugby union favourites or taking a chance on an underdog, bet365 will more than likely have the markets you are looking for.
If you want to bet on the biggest tournament of all, you may well find the best Rugby Union World Cup betting odds at bet365 too. Bet365 run regular rugby union promotions and specials and you will even be able to access live streaming of selected rugby union matches if you sign up with bet365. As you can see, it is obvious why we rate bet365 as the top rugby union betting site for UK punters.
Netbet
Netbet is another rugby union betting site that is well worth giving a chance to. They cover all the biggest domestic rugby union events and you can bet on the best international rugby union action too. For example, if you are looking for rugby union autumn internationals betting odds, Netbet have got you covered.
The rugby union odds available at Netbet are pretty decent and while they haven’t quite got the same depth of betting markets as bet365, there is still a good selection to choose from. As you can see from our NetBet review, they have a good app for rugby union too. For rugby union betting on desktop or mobile, Netbet has everything you need.
Boylesports
A betting site with origins in one of the most successful rugby union nations in Europe, it is unsurprising that they have made our list. Boylesports started out in Ireland and they have become big players in the UK market too in recent years. Their comprehensive rugby union betting coverage is very impressive with markets available for all the biggest rugby union matches and tournaments.
For most punters that bet on this sport, the quality of betting odds for rugby union is one of the most important aspects and Boylesports are more than competitive in this department. Boylesports usually have a nice range of rugby union special offers and bonuses too and you can find those on the Boylesports promotions page. They more than deserve their place in our list of the top rugby union betting sites for UK punters.
Recommended Rugby Union Betting Markets
This section has all the info you need to help you choose the rugby union market that gives you the best chance of landing a winner. Our rugby union betting risk table gives you an idea of which markets are most likely to produce a profit, while we will also explain in detail how some of the key rugby union markets work. Later on we will look at the best rugby union betting strategies to employ if you want to make a profit. Keep reading to find out more…
| Betting Market | Risk Level | Recommended For |
| Match Result | 1/5 | Beginners |
| Over/Under Betting | 3/5 | Advanced |
| First Tryscorer | 4/5 | Casual Betting |
| Outright Tournament Winner | 2/5 | Beginners |
| Winning Margin | 3/5 | Expert |
Match Result
This is one of the most popular markets with rugby union betting beginners but it shouldn’t be ignored by seasoned punters. In rugby union the match result markets are usually 3-way. You can bet on either team to win the match or alternatively you can bet on the draw. Some bookies, like bet365 for example, will form 2-way markets where in the event of a draw bets on either team are voided. In-play match betting result wagers are possible too with most bookies mentioned on this page.
Match result bets are also ideal for those who are looking for selections to combine in rugby union accas. These type of wagers are more of an option for rugby union betting beginners looking to strike it rich for small stakes. Serious punters prefer a more cautious approach and usually stick to placing single bets. Their stakes are usually a lot bigger too.
Over/Under Betting
Over/Under betting (also known as totals betting) in rugby union most commonly concerns the number of points scored in an individual match. The bookie nominates the most likely number of points that will be scored in the match and you bet on whether there will be more (Over) or less (Under) points scored than the total defined by the bookie.
Over/Under betting is available on the total points scored by one team or by both teams combined. When betting on this market consider the playing styles of the teams involved. If two flair teams with lots of attacking talent are playing, betting on the Over makes sense. On the other hand, if two dour and defensive teams play it could pay to bet on the Under.
First Tryscorer
The first tryscorer market is an ideal starting point for beginners and casual punters alike. With 30 players on the pitch this is quite a high-risk market but the rewards are substantial if you do manage to pick out a winning bet. You can bet on the overall first tryscorer in a game but if you want to give yourself a better chance of winning then you can bet on the first tryscorer for either team. You should always keep an eye out for any first tryscorer betting promotions before you have a bet.
If you want to reduce the risk even further then you should have a look at the anytime tryscorer market. This requires the player you bet on to score a try at any time throughout the match. Remember though, if you are betting on this market in a knockout competition and the match goes to extra time, only tries scored in regulation time will count unless otherwise stated.
Outright Tournament Winner
If you are looking for a good starting point for betting on rugby union, this is an excellent option. Outright winner markets are formed for every major rugby union tournament. You can either place straight win bets or each-way outright bets with all of the top rugby union betting sites listed on this page. For example, when betting on Rugby Union Championship outright markets each-way, you’ll get paid out at 1/3 odds for 2 places with one of our top picks Netbet.
This basically means that in order to get a return from an each-way wager, you need your team to reach the final. If they lose the decider you’ll get paid at 1/3 odds on the place part of your bet and the win part loses. If your selected team wins the tournament you’ll get paid on both the win and place part of your bet.
Winning Margin
This is a mid-level risk market and it is probably best left to punters with plenty of previous rugby union betting experience. Sometimes there isn’t much value to be found in match betting markets, especially when two teams with very different levels of ability clash. For example, if New Zealand were playing Uruguay in the Rugby World Cup their odds to win the match would be extremely short.
If you manage to nail the correct winning margin then you will get paid out at much better odds than you would if you simply backed New Zealand to win. In this instance the most likely winning margin bands would be New Zealand to win by 1-50 points or New Zealand to win by 50 points or more. You could also back Uruguay to win by either of those margins (if you want to lose!).
Rugby Union Handicap Betting
Another interesting rugby union betting method is to play on the handicap markets. Rugby union handicap betting is when the bookies give one team an advantage over their opponents. The point of handicap betting is to level the playing field. It is particularly when two teams with hugely different levels of ability clash. The favourites start the match minus a number of points, while the underdogs are given a head-start. 3-way and 2-way handicap betting markets are available for rugby union and we look at both in more detail below.
3-Way Handicap Betting
If you bet on the favourite in the 3-way handicap market you will need them to win by more than the handicap. On the other hand, if you back the underdog plus a number of points, you need them to lose by less than the handicap margin. For example, if you backed Japan +16 points vs South Africa, you would need them to win or else lose by 15 points or less for you to win your bet. You can also bet on the handicap draw in the 3-way market. To win that bet in this case, you would need South Africa to be victorious by exactly 16 points (the handicap margin).
2-Way Handicap Rugby Union Betting
The 2-way handicap rugby union betting market works the exact same as the 3-way market, apart from the fact that there is no handicap draw option. In order to prevent a handicap draw from occurring bookies set the handicap margin in .5 point increments. If you back the underdogs +10.5 points you’ll need them to lose by 10 points or less (or win) for you to collect. The opposite applies to 2-way handicap bets placed on the favourite.
How to Find the best Rugby Union Betting Odds
In this section we will try to help you find the best rugby union betting odds. This is by far the most important factor to consider when betting on rugby union. It is pretty simple when you think about it, bigger odds equal bigger returns from winning bets. It is imperative that you shop around before you place any rugby union wagers.
Simply put, if you fail to find the best odds you’ll directly negatively affect your profit levels in the long term. Below is a table comparing 2-way match result betting odds for a recent Super Rugby union match between three leading UK bookies*.
As you can see from the table, bet365, 888Sport and Betfair all had differing opinions on this match. As far as the overrounds go, bet365 weigh in at 105.2%, 888Sport’s is 106.4% while Betfair are worst of all with an overround of 107.6%. However, Betfair have the best odds about the Blues’ win, illustrating why you should never rely solely on the overround when trying to gauge which bookie has the best rugby union betting odds.
Rugby Union Live Betting
There is no doubt about it, live betting on rugby union is one of the most thrilling ways to bet on the sport. Live betting refers to bets placed after a match has started. We firmly believe that the more matches you watch, the better you will become at live rugby union betting. Nothing beats experience and by looking at matches you will learn more about the strengths and weaknesses of different teams and players. This info is crucial if you want to succeed at rugby union live betting.
it is also vital that your bookie has a quality live rugby union betting suite and Boylesports tick this box nicely. Placing a bet is quick and easy and can be done with as few as three clicks on the Boylesports betting app. They also have lots of live rugby union markets available. However, the one negative is that you won’t be able to access live rugby union streaming with Boylesports. If you want to be able to bet in-play and stream rugby union live in the one place, check out the next section.
Where To Stream live Rugby Union
If you are looking for live rugby union streams you will have a number of options. A couple of our leading bookies have live rugby union streaming available. To qualify to watch live rugby union streaming most bookies just require you to have a positive account balance, or to have placed a bet in the previous 24 hours. For us, bet365 are streets ahead of the rest when it comes to live rugby union streaming and you can find out why below…
How do I stream Rugby Union live at bet365?
It couldn’t be any easier to stream live rugby union at bet365. They stream lots of rugby union matches live every season, from both the Southern and Northern hemispheres. Check out our step by step guide on how to stream rugby union live at bet365 below…
- Visit bet365 and sign up for a new account (or sign in if you have an account).
- Make a deposit to instantly qualify for live rugby union streaming.
- Head to the live betting suite where you will find the live streaming centre.
- You can see all upcoming streaming events here, including for rugby union matches.
- Look out for the in-play icon to see which rugby matches will be streamed live.
- Bet in-play on a great selection of in-play rugby union markets after the match has started.
Best Betting Apps For Rugby Union
Rugby union punters are spoiled for choice when it comes to mobile betting. All of the bookies mentioned in our top 9 list have either native mobile apps or mobile friendly sites. To be honest, choosing the best betting app for rugby union was difficult given the overall high quality of the apps we looked at. They all had plenty of rugby union markets while live rugby union betting was widely available too.
For occasional mobile only rugby union promotions the William Hill mobile app is worth a second look. Paddy Power’s app is slick, flashy and nice to look at but it also gets the job done. Bet365 and BetVictor are two other rugby union betting apps we recommend taking a look at. Once you have tried them all out, you can make your own mind up as to which is the best!
Rugby Union vs Rugby League
Newcomers to rugby may not be aware of the differences between the two disciplines of the sport. Rugby Union and Rugby League are similar in many ways, but there are lots of differences too. Initially, rugby football was the only version, but a split in 1895 saw the creation of the two different codes. Some of the main differences between rugby league and rugby union are outlined below…
Main Differences between Rugby Union and Rugby League
- Rugby Union teams have 15 starting players. Rugby League teams only have 13.
- Rugby Union allows 7 substitutes in a match. Rugby League sides can make 10.
- In rugby union a try is worth 5 points while in league it is worth 4 points.
- Rugby Union penalties and drop goals are worth 3 points, in rugby league penalties are worth 2 points and drop goals only 1.
- In rugby league teams must kick away possession if they haven’t scored after 6 tackles or phases of play.
- There are no lineouts in rugby league and scrums are contested by just 6 players, in comparison to 8 in rugby union.
International Rugby Union Competitions To Bet On
In this section we will look at some of the most important rugby union international competitions. Rugby union internationals betting attracts the attention of some punters more than the club game, particularly big events like the Six Nations and the Rugby World Cup. We briefly look at some of the key rugby union international events below…
Rugby World Cup
This is the pinnacle for every player that ever pulls on a rugby union jersey. It is held every 4 years and it just keeps getting better and better with every passing tournament. Who can forget the huge upsets caused by Japan in recent renewals, as well as some of the swashbuckling performances from the All Blacks. Outright betting is available on the Rugby World Cup years in advance of the start of the tournament. One of the earliest rugby union betting sites to form Rugby World Cup winner markets is bet365, one of our top 3 betting sites for rugby union.
Six Nations
The Six Nations is the premier annual international rugby union tournament in the Northern Hemisphere. It is contested by England, Ireland, Wales, France, Scotland and the perennial whipping boys, Italy. It is a hugely popular event with UK rugby union betting punters. Many bookies, including William Hill and Betfair, will be running Six Nations specials during the tournament.
The Rugby Championship
In the Southern Hemisphere the biggest annual competition in rugby union is the Rugby Championship. New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and Argentina play in this round robin event and unsurprisingly, the All Blacks have dominated in recent seasons. That spell of superiority looks under threat from South Africa now though after their World Cup triumph. Bet365 and Netbet will have an excellent selection of Rugby Championship markets for UK punters once the next renewal begins.
European Rugby Champions Cup
The European Rugby Champions Cup is the envy of rugby organisations around the world. Few can match it for glitz and glamour. Huge crowds turn out to see the best rugby union players in the world strut their stuff on the big stage for their clubs. The Cup is contested by teams from the UK, Ireland, France and Italy. Leinster have been one of the most successful teams in recent years in this tournament. If you want to back them, Boylesports are worth considering as they can often be best price about Irish teams. And as we discussed earlier on, finding the best rugby union odds is vital.
Rugby Union Betting Strategies
You’ll be glad you have kept reading when you see what we have in store for you in this section. We promised we would try and help you find more rugby union winners and we will stay true to our word. Below you’ll find a table containing some brilliant rugby union betting tips and strategies that will give you a much better chance of turning a profit when betting on rugby union…
| Stats Matter | You can never spend enough time studying form, stats and previous head-to-head results. Make sure to make full use of the many available resources to get informed before having a bet (this is a useful site for European Rugby Champions Cup stats, and here’s one for The Rugby Championship stats) |
| Weather Conditions | The weather is hugely influential in rugby union. Adverse weather conditions make playing expansive rugby difficult so teams that like to sling the ball around can be worth opposing when it is wet and windy. |
| Look For Value | If you can find value single bets you will dramatically boost prospects of making long term profits from rugby union betting. Don’t limit yourself when it comes to markets because you can often find value in unusual places. |
| News/Social Media | We also recommend keeping an eye on relevant news and social media sites to get the latest news (World Rugby Site is useful). If you hear about an injury to a vital player before the bookies, you can act before the market reacts and put yourself in a strong position. |
Rugby Union Betting FAQs
What’s the best UK rugby union betting site? 
As we revealed earlier on in our list of the top 9 UK rugby union bookies, bet365 is the best all- rounder. They have quality rugby union odds, a superb selection of markets and you might even come across some very nice promotions and specials too.
What does handicap betting in rugby union betting mean?
No matter whether it is football, rugby league or rugby union, handicap betting works exactly the same. Handicap betting in rugby union is when the favourites start minus a number of points and the underdogs are given a head-start. Bets are settled on the final score after the handicap is applied. So, if you back a team -6.5 points in the 2-way handicap market you need them to win by 7 points or more.
Where can I find the best rugby union betting odds?
Generally speaking, bet365 usually have competitive odds. However, there is no easy way to find the best rugby union betting odds. The answer to this question depends on the match and the market. No single bookie is guaranteed to have the best rugby union odds so the only viable solution is to shop around.
What’s the difference between rugby union and rugby league?
Some of the differences between rugby union and rugby league are subtle while others are more striking. The main differences include the number of players on teams and the value of tries, penalties and drop goals. The tackling/phases system in rugby league is vastly different too, as are the structures of scrums. Check out our Rugby Union vs Rugby League section to learn more.