How Does Rugby Scoring Work?

In rugby union, a try is worth 5 points, a conversion is worth 2 points, a penalty goal is worth 3 points and a drop goal is worth 3 points. A penalty try is worth 7 points. These are the values in Law 8.1 of World Rugby's Laws of the Game for standard 15-a-side rugby union.

Rugby union points at a glance

Try: 5 points (Law 8.1a)

A try is scored when an attacking player is first to ground the ball (press it down onto the ground) in the opponents' in-goal area. That is the area between the try line and the dead-ball line, and the try line itself counts. Tries are the biggest score in the game.

Conversion: 2 points (Law 8.1b)

After a try, the scoring team gets a kick at goal, called a conversion. The kick is taken from anywhere on a line through the place where the try was scored, parallel to the touchlines (Law 8.8). That is why attackers try to score close to the posts: it makes the kick easier.

For any goal to count, the ball must go over the crossbar and between the posts. The kicker can use a place-kick, from the ground or a kicking tee, or a drop-kick.

Penalty try: 7 points (Law 8.1c)

If foul play by the defending team stops a probable try, the referee can award a penalty try between the posts. It is worth 7 points, and no conversion is taken.

Penalty goal: 3 points (Law 8.1d)

When a team is awarded a penalty, it can choose to kick at goal. If the ball goes over the crossbar and between the posts, the team scores 3 points. Teams often choose this when they are within kicking range.

Drop goal: 3 points (Law 8.1e)

A drop goal is kicked during open play. The player drops the ball, kicks it as it rises from its first bounce, and sends it over the crossbar and between the posts. World Rugby's law book calls this a dropped goal.

A simple example of how a score adds up

Tidewater score two tries (10), convert one of them (2) and kick one penalty goal (3). That is 15 points.

Ironsand Bay score one try (5), convert it (2), kick two penalty goals (6) and add a drop goal (3). That is 16 points.

Ironsand Bay win 16–15, even though they scored fewer tries. Every kick counts.

Junior and modified games can score differently, so check with your club or competition. Rugby league also uses different points: see rugby union vs rugby league.

Quick summary

• Try: 5 points. Conversion: 2 points. Penalty try: 7 points.
• Penalty goal: 3 points. Drop goal: 3 points.
• Every goal must go over the crossbar and between the posts.

Also worth knowing: what a knock-on is.