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Basic rules are common to both rugby games include the oval ball and the ban on passing the ball forwards. Set-pieces of Rugby union code include the scrum, where a group of opposing players push against each other to get hold of ball, and the lineout, where parallel lines of players from each team, arranged perpendicular to the touch-line attempt to catch the ball thrown from touch.

Besides league having team of 13 players and union of 15 players, the main difference between the two games is tackles. Union players contest possession following the tackle: depending on the situation, either a ruck or a maul occurs. League players do not contest possession: play is continued with a play-the-ball.

Scoring in both games occurs by achieving either a try or a goal. A try involves grounding the ball (touching the ball to the ground) over the goal line at the opponent's end of the field. A goal results from kicking the ball over the crossbar between the upright goalposts. Three different types of kick at goal can score points: the goal kick after a try has been awarded (which if successful becomes a conversion); the drop kick; and the penalty kick. The points awarded for each vary between the games.