When it comes to fast, full-contact sports with plenty of action and more than a little bit of national pride at stake, Rugby Union is the sport to bet on. Rugby was first played in England in the early part of the 19th century and has evolved to be a tough, often very dirty and muddy sport that is enjoyed the world over.

Played with a large, oval-shaped ball, usually on a grassy and level field, rugby has a pitch larger than most, around 100m long and 70m wide. At each end of the pitch is a tall and imposing H-shaped goal. The object of the game is to run with the ball to the opponents end of the pitch and gain points either by reaching the end line, or kicking the ball over the bar in the goal. These kicks are often impressive and their higher point value can make or break a team - often a bet can be placed on how many points a team scores, or if a certain player will make a point-scoring kick in the game.

There are some fantastic competitive games to place a bet on, with huge leagues, tournaments and championships held for Rugby Union each year. Odds are you will have heard of the Rugby World Cup, which was first held in 1987 and takes place every four years. This event is great for a bet and betting can take place far in advance of the games - meaning you can catch some great odds on your favourite team.