How Scoring Works in Rugby Union

Scoring Summary

The Try — 5 Points

The try is the primary and most celebrated method of scoring in Rugby Union. A try is scored when an attacking player grounds the ball on or beyond the opposition’s try line (also known as the goal line). “Grounding” means pressing the ball down against the ground with downward pressure using the hands, arms, or upper body. Simply touching the ball to the ground is not enough — there must be clear, deliberate downward pressure.

The try line itself is part of the in-goal area, so touching the ball down on the line counts as a try. The ball can also be grounded against the base of the goalposts. A player may dive over the try line, slide across it, or reach out while being tackled — provided downward pressure is applied before the ball or the player goes into touch or into touch-in-goal.

Tries can be disallowed for a variety of reasons: a forward pass in the build-up, a knock-on, a foot in touch before grounding, or failure to apply sufficient downward pressure. The TMO (Television Match Official) frequently reviews try-scoring situations in professional rugby to ensure the try is legitimate.

The try has been worth 5 points since 1992. Before that, it was worth 4 points (1971–1992) and before that, 3 points. The increasing value of the try over the years reflects the sport’s desire to reward attacking, try-scoring rugby.

The Conversion — 2 Points

After a try is scored, the scoring team has the opportunity to add 2 further points with a conversion kick. The kick is taken from a point in line with where the try was scored — that is, the kicker can go as far back as they wish, but must stay on an imaginary line running perpendicular to the try line through the point where the ball was grounded.

This is why you will often see players diving for the area between the posts when scoring a try — it gives the kicker a much easier conversion attempt directly in front of the goalposts. A try scored in the corner means the conversion must be taken from a wide angle near the touchline, which is significantly harder.

The kicker may use a place kick (placing the ball on a kicking tee on the ground) or a drop kick. The vast majority of conversions are place kicks. The kick must pass over the crossbar and between the uprights to be successful. The kicker has 90 seconds from the time the try is awarded to take the conversion.

The Penalty Goal — 3 Points

When the referee awards a penalty for an infringement, the team may choose to kick at goal. If the ball passes over the crossbar and between the uprights, 3 points are awarded. Penalty goals are taken as place kicks from the point where the penalty was awarded (or from any point along a line running directly back from that spot).

Penalty goals are a crucial part of Rugby Union’s tactical landscape. Elite goal-kickers like Jonny Wilkinson, Dan Carter, and Owen Farrell have won countless matches through their accuracy from the tee. Teams will sometimes choose to “take the points” with a penalty goal rather than kick to the corner and try for a try, particularly when the penalty is within comfortable kicking range.

The decision of whether to kick for goal or go to the corner is one of the most important tactical choices in the game. It depends on the match situation, the distance from the posts, the quality of the kicker, the strength of the team’s lineout maul, and the state of the scoreboard.

The Drop Goal — 3 Points

A drop goal is scored during open play when a player drops the ball onto the ground and kicks it on the half-volley through the opposition’s goalposts. The ball must bounce on the ground before being kicked — a punt (kicking from the hands without the ball touching the ground) does not count.

Drop goals are worth 3 points, the same as a penalty goal. They are often used as a tactical weapon in tight matches, particularly in the closing minutes. Jonny Wilkinson’s drop goal to win the 2003 Rugby World Cup final for England is one of the most iconic moments in the sport’s history.

Any player on the field can attempt a drop goal, though it is almost always the fly-half or occasionally the inside centre. Drop goals require excellent technique, composure, and quick thinking, as the kicker must create enough space and time amid the pressure of a live match.

The Penalty Try — 7 Points

A penalty try is awarded when the referee decides that a try would probably have been scored if not for foul play by the defending team. Common scenarios include a defender deliberately collapsing a driving maul near the try line, a professional foul (such as slapping the ball out of an attacker’s hands as they are about to score), or repeated infringements preventing the attacking team from scoring.

A penalty try is always awarded under the posts and is worth 7 points — no conversion kick is taken, as the 2 points for the conversion are automatically included. The offending player is usually shown a yellow card (10-minute sin bin) as a minimum sanction.

Penalty tries are relatively rare but can be decisive, particularly in close matches or when a team’s defensive discipline breaks down near their own try line.

Scoring and Tactics

Understanding the point values helps explain the tactics you see on the pitch. A converted try (7 points) is worth more than two penalty goals (6 points), which is why teams will sometimes choose to attack from a penalty near the try line rather than taking the easy 3 points. Conversely, a team with a strong kicker and a 6-point deficit knows that two penalty goals will draw them level without needing to score a try.

The bonus point system used in many leagues and tournaments adds another layer. In the Premiership and URC, a team earns a bonus point for scoring four or more tries in a match, and a losing bonus point for losing by seven points or fewer. This encourages attacking play and ensures that even losing teams have something to play for.

Try our Points Calculator to work out match scores for any combination of tries, conversions, penalties, and drop goals.