 | |
| Highest governing body | World Rugby |
|---|---|
| Nicknames | Tens, Ten-a-side, 10's or 10s and Xs. |
| Characteristics | |
| Contact | Full Contact |
| Team members | Ten |
| Mixed-sex | Separate competitions |
| Type | Team sport, outdoor, variant of rugby union |
Rugby tens, also known as ten-a-side and Xs, is a variant of rugby union in which teams are made up of ten players, typically five forwards and five backs. Matches are much shorter, usually played as two ten-minute halves.
Unlike the other two major rugby union variants - sevens and beach rugby - which were invented in major rugby nations, rugby tens was developed in Malaysia, a nation that has never qualified for the Rugby World Cup.[1]
The rules (law variations) are similar to rugby sevens and are published on the World Rugby website.[2]
- ^ Bath, p 71
- ^ Tens law variations. World Rugby.