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James Fuller
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Rugby Union betting is rapidly becoming a favourite for many punters in the UK. Known for its bit hits, offloads and side steps, Rugby Union is played by countries and clubs around the world. Created in England in the early 19th century, it comes as little surprise that the sport has been adopted by so many in the modern era.

Whether you are looking to back the Exeter Chiefs in the Gallagher Premiership or the All Blacks to win the Rugby World Cup, our recommended Rugby Union betting sites have all bases covered. Looking to start betting on Rugby League? This page offers everything that there is to know. This includes Rugby Union betting tips and where to find the best Rugby Union betting odds.

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#1 Rugby Union Bookmaker

Bet £10, Get £40

01/11/22

Bet £10, Get £40

  • Fixed odds and spread rugby markets
  • 190+ markets on Gallagher Premiership matches
  • Live streaming available
9.5
5 Stars
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Plus Best Odds On All Premier League Matches (fixed odds Match Odds, pre-match v top 5 bookies on Oddschecker). Join and place a £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Qualifying bet cannot be placed in-play or cashed out early. 18+ begambleaware.org. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit.

Double The Odds On Your 1st Bet

17/08/22

Double The Odds On Your 1st Bet

  • Large number of Asian handicap betting markets
  • Vast experience in the industry
  • Generous welcome offer & ongoing promotions
9.7
5 Stars
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New customers. Max £10. 100% Odds Boost Token. Keep it fun - set your deposit limit.T&Cs apply. BeGambleAware.org. 18+

Get 50% Back As A Free Bet Up To £35 + 10 Free Spins

25/03/22

Get 50% Back As A Free Bet Up To £35 + 10 Free Spins

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4.5 Stars
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To activate this promotion you must deposit and stake a minimum of £10. You must place a minimum of 5 rounds during the qualifying period and 4 of these rounds must be at least half the value of your highest placed wager. T&Cs apply | 18+ New UK Customers Only | BeGambleAware.org

How We Rank the Best Rugby Union Betting Sites

Rugby betting sites, covering both Union and League, are easy to come by today. However, not all are worth signing up at. Punters can rest assured that our recommended bookies are completely safe. They also offer a host of markets and features. So, let’s take a closer look as to just what separates the best from the rest:

  • Safety – Before registering and placing any bets, Rugby Union fans must know that they are doing so on a secure platform. All of our top ranked betting sites are licensed by the Gambling Commission. Meanwhile, they also utilise a host of safety features. These include SSL encryption technology and firewalls. 
  • Markets – The best bookies also cover Rugby Union matches from a large number of leagues and tournaments. Ranging from the Six Nations Championship and World Cup to the Gallagher Premiership and Pro D2, bets can be placed on a variety of encounters. Meanwhile, match, handicap and totals markets means that it is not just wagering on the winning team that is available. The likes of France, South Africa and Ireland are regularly added to user betslips. 
  • Odds – Odds will determine how much punters make from winning bets. As such, even the smallest of price difference between bookies is significant. Our recommended bookmakers all offer competitive odds. Meanwhile, some regularly deliver the best Rugby  odds on the web.
  • Bonuses – While betting promotions are not the be-all and end all, they can certainly help punters. Whether it be a generous welcome bonus or an accumulator insurance offer, promotions can aid customers in maximising winnings and minimising losses. However, T&Cs are always involved. Promos are generally available to both new and existing customers.
  • Mobile – Betting should be just as simple on mobile as it is on desktop. Many of our recommended bookies offer dedicated apps for iOS and Android users. Alternatively, sportsbooks can be accessed via mobile browsers. Either way, the same number of Rugby Union markets will be available. 
  • Features – Live streaming, cash out and bet builders make online sports betting all the more appealing. Such features add to the user experience at Rugby Union betting sites. So, be sure to take a look at our bookmaker reviews for which features are available where.
  • Support – While it may not often be needed, customer support is still important. Most bookies offer support via telephone, email and live chat. However, the efficiency differs between operators. Our top ranked bookmakers sites perform well when it comes to response times and helpfulness. 
  • Banking – Bets on Rugby Union matches cannot be placed without funds. Cash can be deposited and withdrawn via a number of payment methods. Debit cards, e-wallets and bank transfers are the most common. Some bookies also now offer cryptocurrencies, including Bitcoin. Your account number and details are safe with all payment methods.

Best Rugby Union Betting Markets

As we have already mentioned, Rugby Union betting now involves much more than simply wagering on the winner of a match. Rugby Union betting sites offer a variety of markets, with the following being among the most popular: 

Match Result

The simplest method of betting on Rugby Union is to bet on which team will win a specific match. There are three possible outcomes – Home win, draw and Away win. There will normally be a clear favourite and underdog. Meanwhile, betting on a draw is likely to come with long odds. The best bookmaker for this market is SpreadEx, with a huge number of matches being covered here.

Visit SpreadEx for Match Results markets

Winning Margin 

Punters can also bet on the margin of victory surrounding Rugby Union matches. This could be either between 1-12 points or 13+. The figures available range between operators. This is a good option when there is a clear favourite and your are looking to back a convincing victory or there are two evenly matches teams. For those looking to place a winning margin wager, we recommend MansionBet. 

Vist MansionBet for Winning Margin markets

Total Points 

Whether it be over/under a set figure or odd/even, punters can also often bet on the total number of points scored during a Rugby Union match. For odd/even points, the odds are likely to be exactly the same for both options. Be sure to check out STS when looking to place such a bet. 

Visit STS for Total Points markets

Race to 10 Points 

If a team is known for being fast starters, it could well be worth betting on them being the first to reach 10 points against their opponent. It does not matter what the final result is, with only the team reaching this score the first determining whether your bet wins or loses. If no team reaches 10 points, your bet will be unsuccessful. This market is not offered by all bookies and can be hard to come by. However, we found that QuinnBet offered it on certain high-profile matches.

Visit QuinnBet for Race to 10 Points markets

Tryscorer 

First, anytime or last tryscorers can also be bet on when it comes to Rugby Union. Wingers and fullbacks are often backed, however those looking for greater returns will look to bet on No.8’s and hookers crossing the whitewash. Betiton are the bookie we recommend for this market.

Visit Betiton for Tryscorer markets

Outright

It is also possible to bet on the outright winner of Rugby Union leagues and tournaments. Long-term bets on the Gallagher Premiership, Six Nations or World Cup winners are increasingly popular. Due to the odds on offer, we recommend QuinnBet for this bet type. 

Visit QuinnBet for Outright markets

Rugby Union Handicap Betting

Rugby Union handicap betting is another popular option for punters today. However, it takes a little bit of time to get your head around. Once understood, it is a market well worth considering. It is especially appealing when there is a clear favourite and underdog. The favourite will be given a deficit (-), while the underdog is given a surplus (+). Handicaps of differing points can be found, whether it be -4, +12 or +25. Let’s take a look at an example of a handicap bet surrounding a Rugby Union match from the Six Nations:

England – 14

Tie – +14

Italy – +14

Those betting on England to beat Italy with a handicap bet will need the Red and Whites to win at least 14 points if their bet is to be successful. For example, in the event of the final result being 40-25, your bet would win. However, if the score finished 40-27, it would lose. 

When it comes to handicap Rugby  betting, there are some bookies that perform better than others. For punters looking to place such bets, we recommend checking out the following Rugby Union betting sites:

Rugby Union Betting Odds

Our recommended Rugby Union betting sites offer some of the best odds around. Available in a format to suit your needs, whether it be fractional, decimal or American, odds generally allow for those with a good understanding of rugby to find good value. While betting on the likes of the Exeter Chiefs to beat London Irish at Sandy Park or New Zealand to win against Samoa at the World Cup is unlikely to bring about significant winnings, appealing odds can certainly be found. So, just how can punters find the best odds? Odds comparison sites show clearly which bookies offer the best prices. Meanwhile, we can recommend the following sites too:

Bet £10, Get £40

01/11/22

Bet £10, Get £40

  • Fixed and spread odds available
  • Available in different formats
  • Price boosts
9.5
5 Stars
NO CODE REQUIRED
Visit Site
Learn More
0
Plus Best Odds On All Premier League Matches (fixed odds Match Odds, pre-match v top 5 bookies on Oddschecker). Join and place a £10 fixed odds bet at odds of 1/2 or greater. Qualifying bet cannot be placed in-play or cashed out early. 18+ begambleaware.org. Spread betting losses can exceed deposit.

5 Ultimate Rugby Union Betting Tips

No matter how much of a Rugby Union nut you are, there are unfortunately no guarantees when it comes to betting on the sport. However, there are certainly steps that punters can take to maximise their chances of beating the bookies. So, the following are our expert tips for placing winning Rugby Union bets:

1. Specialise

Even the biggest of Rugby Union fans will struggle to keep up to date with news from all leagues and competitions. As such, it is good to focus upon a small number of tournaments when placing bets on Rugby Union. Fans in the UK may wish to stick to the Six Nations and Gallagher Premiership. Alternatively, better value can potentially be found on the European Champions Cup or Super Rugby from Australia.

2. Budget

No matter how big or small it is, be sure to stick to a set budget when placing bets. It can be easy to become irresponsible. So, whether you are on a winning streak or considering chasing losses, it is vital to understand when to quit.

3. Markets

As we have discussed already, odds surrounding the best Rugby Union teams are unlikely to be that appealing. As a result, it is a good strategy to target handicap and totals markets. Those with a good knowledge of the sport could well benefit from utilising such markets.

4. Watch

Take in as much Rugby Union as possible! Learn about the different teams and players. This will put you in a better position to judge which bets to place. Watching the action live is also helpful when it comes to in-play markets. Many bookmakers now offer live streaming options surrounding Rugby Union.

5. Track

Betting sites do the hard work here, however it is important to track all bets placed. Consider where improvements can be made. Whether it be avoiding live bets or targeting a particular tournament.

Bottom line 

Rugby Union has long been a favourite sport in the UK. However, it has never been more in the mainstream than now. This is demonstrated by the number of Rugby Union betting sites which are available to punters. Covering a huge number of leagues and tournaments, at both domestic and international level, Rugby Union betting is both fun and potentially rewarding. So, no matter whether you follow the All Blacks, Bath, Crusaders or Red Roses, be sure to check out our recommended Rugby Union betting sites. If you enjoy rucks, try saving tackles and skilful offloads, there is no better place to be. 

Betting on Rugby Union FAQs

What is the difference between Rugby Union and Rugby League?

There are several differences between the two codes of Rugby. Firstly, Union is played with 15 players per team, compared to 13 in League. Meanwhile, a ruck is formed in Union once a tackle is made. In Rugby League, players roll the ball back to a teammate after each tackle. Union is generally regarded as the more popular in the UK.

Is Rugby Union a good sport to bet on?

Yes! The number of Rugby Union markets are increasing quickly, due to the popularity of the sport. Bookmakers are now placing a greater emphasis on the game. Live streaming of matches and specific promotions can be found online today. For those with a good knowledge of Rugby Union, some significant earnings can be made.

Is live streaming available at Rugby Union betting sites?

Yes. While it is still a relatively small number, certain sites do offer Rugby Union live streaming. This adds to the overall experience for punters. Simultanesouly betting on and watching matches can be hugely entertaining.

Where can I find the best Rugby Union odds?

While there is little to choose between our recommended bookies in terms of odds, we believe that MansionBet, SpreadEx and STS are among the leading operators in this area. Such Rugby betting sites make wagering on the sport all the more appealing.

What are the most popular Rugby Union markets?

Many punters now place outright bets on the winner of Rugby Union leagues and tournaments. Meanwhile, those favouring pre-match and live bets can take advantage of several markets. Popular options include 1x2, total points, winning margin and handicaps.

James Fuller

James Fuller is a sports journalist based in Bath, England. Specializing in sports and iGaming, he has worked for a variety of leading online publications in the past, including MailOnline and Coral. James also has a degree in Sport & Leisure Management from Sheffield Hallam University. He also has a certificate in Football Communication & Digital Media from the Sports Business Institute in Barcelona, which James has used to help brands enhace their following and reputation on online platforms. With almost a decade of experience in sports writing to his name, James has received outstanding feedback from existing and former clients.

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