Rugby Betting Guide with Best Sites, Betting Tips, Tournaments and More.

Rugby is a sport known the world over, with over 400 million sport betting fans watching, playing, supporting, or betting on rugby the year through. In the following guide we will discover our recommended rugby betting sites, markets, tips, tournaments and much more.

🏆 Best Rugby Betting Sites by Category

Let’s start with the basics, as you can’t successfully wager on Rugby Union or League without first seeking out the best licensed sportsbooks.

To help you on your way, we’ve outlined our top three rugby betting sites below, so that you can make an informed decision when comparing the market!

Ladbrokes

First up rugby betting site is Ladbrokes, which is one of the leading sportsbooks in the online market and one that remains similarly popular on high streets nationwide.

Ladbrokes offers a wide range of Rugby Union betting markets, from individual Gallagher Premiership matches to the coveted Six Nations tournament. There’s also a particularly large range of in-play markets and wagers in-play at Ladbrokes, so fans of the sport will have ample opportunity to bet as they watch the action unfold!

At present, Ladbrokes is also offering a €20 welcome bonus in the form of four, €5 free bets, which are subject to no wagering requirements but must be made on outcomes with odds of 1.50 or higher.

William Hill

William Hill is running a similarly generous welcome offer, which enables punters to claim two, €15 free bets within 30 days of their registration. Once again, this isn’t subject to wagering requirements, while you’ll have to place the bets on odds of 1.50 or greater to comply with the T&Cs.

William Hill also offers access to a diverse range of current and future markets, including RFU World Cup Qualifying games and outright betting on the upcoming Six Nations in March 2022.

You can also wager on the annual Pro14 competition at William Hill, with this international tournament increasingly prestigious and home to teams from Ireland, Italy, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.

BoyleSports

This Irish sports betting site is one that likes to keep things simple - it is a traditional bookmaker that does not need to rely on mascots or gimmicks in order to stand out from the crowd. Their sole focus is giving their punters a wide range of quality sports betting markets with competitive odds so that you can have the top-quality sports betting experience that you are looking for and that you deserve. Rugby betting fans will get exactly what they are searching for as they offer odds and markets for all of the biggest competitions such as the Six Nations, Rugby World Cup, and the Rugby Championship.

One thing that stands out for us is their attention to detail - for example, they will tell you the channels that are showing the matches so that you do not have to waste precious time searching yourself.

888 Sport

888Sport is a sports betting site that you will find on many "Top Sportsbooks" lists and it is on such lists purely on merit. Many might not view this sportsbook as a leader when it comes down to betting on rugby since it is more of an international site, but it would be a big mistake to underestimate how consistently good 888sport is across so many sports. They definitely offer more than enough to cater for even the biggest of rugby bettors. Not only will you find a variety of markets and top odds for the likes of the Six Nations and the Premiership Rugby, but you will also find for the likes of the State of Origin Series, the National Rugby League, and Super Rugby AU.

Read our BoyleSports review for more information.

Unibet

Name a big rugby event, whether it is Rugby Union or Rugby League, and you can be certain that you can find odds and markets for it at Unibet. The people at Unibet know just how many sports bettors like to bet rugby, so they always try their best to deliver the best rugby betting experience possible. They do that by making sure that they offer quality odds so that you can get the best value for your hard-earned money. In addition to this, they will spoil you with markets, ensuring that boredom does not creep into your rugby betting. If you like to bet on the go, then they have a quality mobile app that will allow you to do just that without there being any decrease in quality on your rugby betting experience.

Learn more about this top rugby betting site art our Unibet review.

Palm Slots Sports

Some bettors believe that the newer the bookmaker, the better their offers will be, and while we cannot confirm whether this is true or not, what we can tell you is that it seems to be the case for Palm Slots Sports. We all like a free bet that we can use on any rugby event, and if you decide to open an account with Palm Slot Sports, then you claim a €25 free bet once you have inputted the promotional code "25FREE" and placed a €10 bet. They are really generous with their bonuses and their promos, and they do not slack either when it comes to the offering competitive odds and a variety of markets for all of the biggest and most popular rugby events.

Go read our comprehensive PalmSlots Sports review to learn more about this new rugby betting site.

Betway

Rugby betting at Betway really could not be any easier. Not only do they offer competitive odds for more or less every rugby game that is being played, but they also offer a variety of markets, ensuring that boredom does not creep into your day. Whether you want to make a Double Chance bet or want to bet on the total number of points that will be scored, then they have got you covered. Additionally, if you like to place a wager in live time, Betway offers a quality live betting platform that is one of the best around. If you are the type of punter that enjoys betting on the go, then Betway has a really good mobile desktop site and app that will provide you with a quality mobile gambling experience.

This long established rugby betting site has more to offer. Learn more at our Betway review.

TonyBet

Are You looking for a multi-betting and multi-gaming platform that can cater to all of your rugby betting and other gambling needs? If so, then your search might have ended right now because TonyBet is a gambling site that offers everything. It really is one of those bookmakers that has the hallmarks of a Grade A sportsbook, and rugby fans will be able to find top odds and a range of markets for any rugby event that they would like to bet on. To help make themselves stand out even more, TonyBet provides their customers with some exclusive sporting forecasts, a quality in-play betting platform, and a VIP programme.

Read our Tonybet review where we share more information about this Rugby sportsbook.

Betiton

This sports betting site is probably a surprise addition to many top lists, but this is not because Betiton is a sportsbook that is lacking in reputation or quality, but just take a look at the strong company that they are with. For a sports betting site that was only founded back in 2020 to be competing with industry favourites such as Betway and Unibet in any shape or form is definitely impressive. When you look at what they offer, it is clear to see why they have come so far in such a short time, and their rugby betting markets are a very good example of this. You can bet on Australian, European, and International markets for Rugby Union and Rugby League, meaning you are spoiled for choice. Additionally, all of their promos, including the welcome offer, cash out feature, and the acca bonus are all available to use on rugby markets.

We have more information bout this up and coming rugby betting site at our Betiton review.

🔍 How to Bet on Rugby

Now that you know where to bet, the next step is determining how to wager on this sport and its various markets. Fortunately, we’ve outlined the tip below, while first reviewing a handful of the best markets and wager types. Betinireland.ie has rugby betting explained!

1️⃣ Match Betting

This remains the single most popular type of Rugby Union bet, while it’s also easier to understand from the perspective of new or novice punters.

Put simply betting, match betting is a form of outright wagering where you look to back the winner of a single game. This can be a Gallagher Premiership or a Six Nations clash, with the key being to make an informed selection based on the presented odds and your knowledge of the participating teams and their current form.

Match betting in Rugby Union also affords punter a competitive edge, as the draw is virtually eliminated as an option due to the nature of the game.

To put this into perspective, just five Six Nations clashes have ended in a draw during the previous decade, while only two occurred between the turn of the century and 2010.

2️⃣ Handicap Betting

While handicap betting isn’t suitable for every wager or market, it offers a viable way of enhancing rugby betting odds and driving incrementally higher returns when used wisely. With this type of wagering, sportsbooks afford one selection in an event a ‘handicap’, which must be overcome for a particular bet to come in.

In rugby terms, let’s look ahead to France’s opening 6 Nations clash with Italy on February 6th, 2022. In this contest, France will be heavy favourites to beat the Azzurri, so bookies may apply a handicap of -10.5 points to Les Bleus from the outset.

This value will be subtracted from the final French points tally, creating a scenario where Les Bleus must prevail by 11 points or more for the wager to come in.

Given the difference in quality between these two sides, however, such a handicap enables you to lengthen the ante-post odds in your favour without overly compromising your chances of the wager being successful.

This is the key to handicap betting, as you’ll need to use it sparingly and only in instances where one team is heavily favoured to be an underdog (such as during the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup).

3️⃣ Over/Under Betting

Another popular market revolves around over/under betting, which describes a scenario where you bet on the total number of points to be scored in a particular game.

In this case, sportsbooks will determine a threshold for a selected match, and you’ll have to place a wager based on whether think the actual number of points scored will exceed or undercut this value.

For example, let’s say that a bookmaker sets the threshold at 45 points. At this, point you can use your knowledge of the sport and the two competing sides to determine whether this is a conservative or an ambitious forecast, before placing your bet accordingly.

Certainly, the average number of points and tries scored per Six Nations games has diminished gradually since the last format change in 2000, whereas this value is considerably higher during World Cups. So, you’ll need to tailor your over/under betting to suit the teams and tournaments in question, at least if you’re to bank a reliable and consistent return!

How can get the most from these markets and optimise my returns as a punter? Here are some rugby betting tips to keep in mind!

4️⃣ In-Play Betting

Back when the marvellous invention called the Internet arrived on the scene in the 90s, in-play betting, also known as live betting, was something that was not possible to do. For those who are completely new to the world of sports betting, an in-play bet or a live bet is one that you place when the event has already started. For instance, you might be watching a match live on the television and notice that one of the teams is dominating, so you might then decide to log into your sportsbook account and put some money on them to score next in the match.

Nowadays, technology has improved considerably, so live betting is something that is available at any sports betting site that you come across. All sportsbooks know that if they do not offer their punters a live betting platform, then they will end up going out of business pretty quickly. However, like with all things in life, not all bookmakers have been created equally, and some offer up a much better live betting platform than their rivals. When it comes to live betting, the following bookies all stand out from the crowd:

• BoyleSports
• Betway
• William Hill
• Ladbrokes
• Unibet
• 888Sport

✅ Rugby Betting Tips

Of course there are several different ways that you can bet on rugby, but we have compiled our top rugby betting tips to help you get started.

1️⃣ Manage Your Bankroll Carefully

Regardless of which betting markets you target, it’s crucial that you manage your bankroll carefully and distribute this in a way that makes your money go further.

You should start by creating a responsible and manageable bankroll, and one that never exceeds an amount of money that you can realistically afford to lose. This can be set on a daily, weekly or monthly basis (depending on the frequency with which you gamble), but it must be adhered to closely at all time.

We’d also recommend tailoring your stake amounts to reflect the value proposition and odds of a particular bet.

For example, outcomes with short odds and a high probability of winning should command a higher initial stake to optimise returns. Conversely, you should wager smaller amounts on less fancied outcomes with extended odds, as this way you can minimise the risk of loss while still chasing an impressive return.

2️⃣ Use Knowledge to Create a Competitive Advantage

As we’ve already touched on, rugby (and particularly Rugby Union) remains one of the most popular sports in the UK and Ireland, with a wide range of betting markets available to punters.

However, it’s important to be selective when placing bets, as you should focus on the competitions and teams that you’re familiar with in order to get the most from your bankroll.

Make no mistake; this affords you a competitive advantage over sportsbooks, as you can utilise knowledge and understanding to identify genuine value in odds and maximise returns over time.

The same principle can be applied to real-time injury and suspension news, as this can have a significant bearing on the outcome of matches and their live odds.

3️⃣ Don’t Bet on Emotion

There’s a significant crossover between gambling and investment, particularly in terms of your mindset and the management of risk. This is definitely true when it comes to emotion, which can adversely affect your decision-making and trigger knee-jerk reactions that actively cost you money.

In sport betting, for example, there’s always a tendency to back your favourite team to win a particular game or tournament, regardless of their standing or the strength of their opponents.

You may even be encouraged to wager more on a team that you support, particularly when betting in-play after the side in question has made a positive start.

However, you should try to remove emotion where possible when engaging in rugby betting, as you instead look to focus on probability and the real-time odds.

📋 Bookmakers with the Most Rugby Betting Markets

We checked all rugby betting sites available in Ireland and made a list of the bookmakers that offer the most rugby betting markets. These are the following:

• BoyleSports
• Luckster
• 888Sport
• Betiton
• Ladbrokes
• Unibet
• William Hill
• LeoVegas
• Sportaza
• Betway

⭐ Rugby Betting Tournament Guides and Predictions

🏉 Competitions Found at Rugby Betting Sites

Of course, Rugby Union isn’t the only iteration of the broader sport, with Rugby League also retaining a cult following (especially in the North of England).

Certainly, Rugby League can trace its origins back to the north, after several players in Yorkshire were paid to appear at games in the 1890s (despite the Rugby Football Union rules prohibiting the sport from being played as a professional game at the time).

This led to a split and the formation of Rugby League in Yorkshire and Lancashire, with a number of differences having been introduced to help separate the two codes.

For example, a Rugby League side features 13 as opposed to 15 players, while two more substitutions (10) are allowed in this format of the sport. The scoring is different too, with a try in union worth five points and just four in Rugby League, with a subsequent conversion earning you two points in either code.

The nature of each game is fundamentally different, with a greater emphasis on ball carrying in Rugby League (during six attacking phases before the ball can be kicked) and Rugby Union noticeably more tactical and built around positional kicking.

Below, we’ll take a look at some of the most popular rugby competitions across both codes, while looking at the most successful teams through history.

Rugby Union Betting

Out of the two different codes, we think that it is fair to say that Rugby Union is the most popular among rugby fans, especially those who live in the Northern hemisphere. Some of the biggest and most prestigious events that Rugby Union fans enjoy placing bets on include the Rugby World Cup, the Six Nations, the Rugby Championship, Premiership Rugby, Autumn Internationals, Super Rugby, Pro 14, and the British and Irish Lions tour.

When it comes to success in this code, Ireland are currently ranked as the world's best team, while England, New Zealand, France, Australia, and South Africa are some of the best as well. South Africa and New Zealand have both managed to win the World Cup on three occasions, while Australia have won it twice and England have won it once. In fact, England are the only team from the northern hemisphere to have won the Rugby World Cup - although, with the way that France have been playing lately, we are pretty sure that many will be betting on them to join that exclusive club at the 2023 Rugby World Cup, especially since it will be played in France.

Let us now take the time to have a closer look at the big rugby events that we just mentioned above.

The Rugby World Cup

When it comes to Rugby Union competitions, it is safe to say that they do not get any bigger than the Rugby World Cup, which takes place every four years. The next edition of this competition will be played in France at the end of 2023, and South Africa will be looking to retain the title that they won in 2019. They have a very good chance of doing exactly that, but France, who won the 6 Nations Grand Slam in 2022 and were unbeaten throughout the year are definitely contenders for the trophy. New Zealand, England, and Australia will also fancy their chances of coming out on top.

The 6 Nations

The next biggest event in the Rugby Union calendar is definitely the Six Nations, which is an annual competition played in February and March between England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, and Italy. When it comes down to success, England and Wales have won this competition 29 times each, while Italy have picked up the wooden spoon on no fewer than 17 occasions. Ireland are the favourites with the sportsbooks to win the 2023 edition of this competition, but the French will definitely fancy their chances of retaining their trophy. Also, England, under the guidance of new manager Steve Borthwick, will be confident of getting their hands on some silverware.

The Rugby Championship

The Rugby Championship can be considered to be the southern hemisphere equivalent of the Six Nations. It is a competition that sees Argentina, New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia play each other twice to see which nation can claim to be the best in the south. This competition used to be called the Tri Nations, but this changed when Argentina joined the tournament in 2012. The All Blacks have been the most successful team in this competition with 19 titles under their belt, while Australia and South Africa have won the event four times. The 2023 edition will be made up of just six matches since the World Cup is scheduled to be played soon after, and many will be putting their money on the All Black to reign supreme once more.

Premiership Rugby

Premiership Rugby, also known as the Gallagher Premiership Rugby, is the biggest domestic Rugby Union competition in England. It is made up of 11 teams, and the teams that play well over the course of the season can qualify for the European Rugby Champions Cup and the European Rugby Challenge Cup. The league starts in September and finishes in May, consisting of a total of 76 games, which means that rugby bettors will always have a lot of betting options. The Leicester Tigers won the 2021/2022 season, while they are also the most successful Premiership Rugby team with 11 titles under their belt.

British and Irish Lions Tour

Getting chosen to play with the British and Irish Lions is something that every British and Irish rugby player dreams of. During a British and Irish Lions Tour, which happens once every four years, the best players from England, Scotland, Wales, and Ireland will travel to one of New Zealand, Australia, or South Africa to play three matches. The previous Lions tour took place in 2021 and was won 2-1 by South Africa, so the next one will take place in 2025 in Australia. When this competition rolls around, you will find plenty of markets that you can bet on.

Autumn Internationals

The Autumn Internationals, which are also known as the End-of-Year Tests or November Internationals, are Rugby Union games that take part each year. The top nations from Europe invite the top countries from the southern hemisphere to play a number of test matches against them. Each team will play three to four games, so not only will there be plenty of sporting action on display, but there will also be a wide variety of betting options that you can take advantage of.

Super Rugby

This is a tournament that involves 12 teams from Australia (5), New Zealand (5), Fiji (1), and the Pacific Islands (1). It used to include teams from Argentina, South Africa, and Japan, but this is no longer the case. When it comes to success in this competition, the Crusaders are the most successful as they have won a total of 11 titles, with their most recent trophy being won in 2022. All of the best sports betting sites, such as those mentioned above, will offer odds and markets for this competition, so betting options will never be in short supply.

Top 14

This is the main domestic league in France that sees the 14 best club teams in the country battle it out for the right to be called the best club side in France. Each team plays each other at home and away, meaning that a regular season is made up of 26 matches. The two sides that finish at the bottom of the table will find themselves relegated to Rugby Pro D2, while the top two teams from this second division are promoted to the Top 14. Montpellier won the title for the first time in 2021/22, but Toulouse are the competition's most successful team have won the title no fewer than 21 times. Due to how prestigious this event is, there will be plenty of markets and odds that you can try to take advantage of.

In the following table, you can find the important dates for the different rugby union events that we just mentioned above. You should take a note of the ones that entice you so that you do not end up missing out on any bets that you would like to place.

Rugby League Betting

While Rugby Union is the code with the most fans, it is fair to say that Rugby League is becoming more and more popular with each passing year. This is probably down to the fact that there is a great emphasis placed on scoring tries in Rugby League, while in Rugby Union it is not unusual to come across a match that is a penalty fest. While such matches can be full of drama, there is no doubt that rugby fans love to see tries being scored.

Rugby League is definitely more popular in the south, especially in Australia where they are really good at it - from the last 16 World Cups, Australia have won 12 times. Apart from the Rugby League World Cup, other big Rugby League competitions that you can find a variety of markets and odds for at the best sports betting sites include the Super League, World Club Challenge, National Rugby League, the State of Origin and the Challenge Cup.

Just like we did above, we are now going to briefly take a closer look at the major Rugby League events that punters can opt to put their hard-earned money on.

Rugby League World Cup

The 16 best international teams compete in this competition and fight it out to call themselves the best team in the world. As we mentioned above, Australia have had immense success in this tournament with 12 wins to their name. Great Britain have managed to win the trophy on three occasions, while the All Blacks have picked up the title once. The next Rugby League World Cup is going to be taking place in France in 2025, and the Aussies will definitely be the favourites to win it at all of the top bookies. To be honest, their odds will be so low that it probably will not be worth betting on them, but there will certainly be other betting options on offer.

Super League

The Super League, which is known as the Betfred Super League due to sponsorship reasons, is composed of 11 sides from the north of England and a team from southern France. Every team plays in 27 games from February to September, with the six best teams making it through to the play-Offs. The side that finishes bottom of the table will be relegated to the Championship. The current holders are St. Helens, while they are also the most successful team with 10 titles. The bookmakers that we have mentioned on this page will offer competitive odds and a variety of markets for this even.

World Club Challenge

This is an annual Rugby League game between the champions of the National Rugby League and the European Super League. The current champions are the Sydney Roosters, while they happen to also be the most successful side with a total of five trophies to their name. When this clash of the titans match is taking part, make sure that you head over to the Rugby League betting section of your chosen sportsbook as there will be a variety of markets that you can try and make good use of.

National Rugby League

The National Rugby League, shortened to the NRL, is a huge event that is played in Australia and New Zealand every year. There are 16 teams from Australia and one team from New Zealand, with each side playing 24 matches each. When the regular season ends, the team at the top of the table receives the Minor Premiership. Then, eight of the highest placed clubs will take part in the Play-Offs until there are just two teams left that will play in the NRL Grand Final - this is one of the biggest sports events in Australia, so there are plenty of betting options on offer. The Penrith Panthers are the current champions, with the South Sydney Rabbitohs being the most successful team with 21 titles under their belt.

State of Origin

The is an annual competition between the New South Wales Blues and the Queensland Maroons - the biggest rivalry in Australia, with each game selling out in no time at all. Queensland won the last instalment, and overall they have 23 wins to their name. However, over the previous five years, the NSWB have had their own success with three wins from five series.

Challenge Cup Betting

This is a knockout tournament that occurs each year and includes a variety of amateur, semi-professional, and professional club teams. In some sort of way, it is more or less the equivalent of the FA Cup in England, where teams can get drawn against other sides that are way above them when it comes to quality. The teams that have played in this event have been from countries such as England, Scotland, France, Ireland, Serbia, Russia, and Canada. Wigan have won this competition no fewer than 20 times and won it in 2022. When betting on such a competition, because of the gulf in class that can sometimes exist between teams, it is a good move to think about doing a spot of handicap rugby betting.

In the following table, you can find the key dates for the different Rugby League events that we have just mentioned above. You should take a note of the dates of the events that entice you so that you do not end up missing out on any wagers that you would like to make.

🎁 Current Offers at Rugby Betting Sites

There are many rugby betting sites out there that have bonuses that you can use on different tournaments. However, the bonuses are not created equally, so you can find some of the best ones in the following table.

Rugby Betting Sites	Free Bet Offers and Promotions	Visit
	100% Deposit Match Up to €100	Visit BoyleSports
	Up to €40 Money Back Bonus
	Claim up to €50 in Free Bets	Visit Mr Green
	Up to €125 in Welcome Bonus	Visit Betsson
	Get up to €450 in Welcome Bonus	Visit Nine Casino Sports
	50% Deposit Match Up to €50
	100% Sport Bonus up to €50	Visit Bethard Sport

• www.begambleaware.org

Betinireland.ie's Rugby Expert and Tipster

Steven Brown grew up in the football-mad town of Cannock, Staffordshire, in the UK, but he was introduced to rugby at the age of 11. He was a keen player in his youth, and went on to set up a successful sports agency, working with rugby stars such as Leicester legend and England captain, Martin Corry. Steven’s great love for the game has also led him to exemplary coaching success, having coached men’s and youth teams in the UK, Luxembourg, New Zealand and Malta. Two of his personal highlights from his time coaching came in the form of having six All Blacks lead a one-and-a-half-hour coaching and QA session for an U14s team he had helped to set up and a Best Coaches conference where he had the privilege of talking rugby with a coaching idol of his, Graham Henry. Steven is now pursuing his love of coaching once more, back in the UK.

❓ Frequently Asked Questions About Rugby Betting

We’ll close by answering some of your most frequently asked questions, pertaining to both rugby betting and iconic tournament such as the Rugby World Cup.