The sport of rugby is said to have originated at Rugby School in Warwickshire in 1823, when William Webb Ellis famously decided to pick the ball up during a football match and run with it towards the byline.
From such unique and fascinating beginnings, the sport has evolved into one of the most watched in the UK, while it has even split into two codes that feature very different rules and principles.
But what are the best betting sites for rugby, and where should you consider spending your hard-earned bankroll?
- Paddy Power
We’ll start with Paddy Power, which really packs a punch with its rugby betting markets and wide scale tournament coverage.
In fact, there are approximately 80 rugby betting markets in play at any given time on the site, including head-to-head selections, win-margin wagers, under/over options and total points bets.
Not only this, but Paddy Power also offers access to a broad and impressive range of future markets, including the Rugby World Cup in 2023 (the last iteration was held back in 2019).
Currently, new Paddy Power punters can also access a generous welcome offer, which takes the form of three, £10 free bets (worth £30) when they initially sign-up and credit their account with £10.
These can be deployed on rugby bets with compatible odds, so Union and League fans can really make the most of their bankroll when starting out!
Regardless of your preferred sports and betting activity, William Hill is one of the best and most accessible sites for offering attractive odds to its customers.
These favourable odds are available across both Rugby Union and League formats, particularly from the perspective of high-profile tournaments like the Six Nations and (once again) the upcoming 2023 World Cup.
You should also keep your eyes peeled for the enhanced odds button available across all Rugby Union markets, with this offering access to improved and lengthened odds on specific games or particular tournaments.
We also appreciate the fact that William Hill offers accessible live streaming across both Rugby Union and league contests, creating a significant demand for in-play betting on the site and tapping into the relatively prolific nature of the wider rugby audience in the UK.
- Betfair
Last, but by no means least, we come to Betfair, which is another established name in the marketplace and one that also loves to reward new customers with a generous welcome offer.
More specifically, players who choose to register and open a new Betfair account in the current market can claim up to £30 in free wagers when they initially deposit £10. This is broken down into three separate bets that can be placed on different rugby markets, creating the potential for significant returns with minimal risk.
Currently, another special offer features treble odds on televised Rugby Union matches, mostly pertaining to first try scorer wagers if this event occurs during the first 15 minutes of the game.
Finally – one more honorary mention – Leo Vegas’ sign up bonus is among the most competitive out there. In addition to their casino offering they’re renowned for their sports and rugby betting offering in particular.
The betting system here is also incredibly easy to follow, even when placing match handicap wagers and accessing complex markets like total points and specific try scorers. This platform is definitely worthy of its place on our list, and we’d recommend that you consider this as a brand new punter
