How does scoring work in rugby union?

Rugby union awards points through four primary scoring actions: the try, the conversion, the penalty goal, and the drop goal. The formal rules that define these actions and their point values are set out by the World Rugby Laws Committee at World Rugby. Understanding how each is scored and why teams choose one option over another explains much of the sport’s tactics and cultural variation.

How points are scored
A try is scored when an attacking player grounds the ball with downward pressure in the opponent’s in-goal area; a try is worth five points. After a try, the scoring team is allowed a conversion attempt worth two points. The kick for goal during a conversion must be taken from a spot in line with where the try was grounded and can be a place kick or, in some variations, a drop kick as governed by the laws published by the World Rugby Laws Committee at World Rugby. A penalty goal is worth three points and may be taken as a place kick (or a drop kick where permitted) after an opponent commits an offense that results in a penalty; the kicking team may also choose to kick for touch and attempt to score from a subsequent lineout or scrum. During open play a player may attempt a drop goal by dropping the ball and kicking it as it rebounds from the ground; a successful drop goal through the posts scores three points.

Tactical choices, causes, and consequences
Decisions about which scoring option to pursue are driven by field position, scoreboard context, weather, and team strengths. A try maximizes points but requires breaching defensive lines; a penalty goal or drop goal offers a reliable score from range and is often chosen to consolidate a lead or respond to referee-enforced infractions. The law that grants the non-scoring team the kickoff after any score creates strategic consequences: teams that score must be prepared for immediate territorial loss, which shapes kickoff tactics and defensive organization. The Rugby Football Union coaching materials emphasize the interplay between territory and possession when deciding whether to kick for goal or press for a try, reflecting practical coaching guidance used at club and national levels.

Cultural, environmental, and historical nuance
Different rugby cultures and competitions influence how scoring is prioritized. Teams and coaching philosophies that prioritize running rugby will often accept higher short-term risk for the chance of five-plus-two points from a try and conversion, while others emphasize accumulation of three-point scores through accurate kicking. Environmental factors such as strong winds, wet conditions, or high altitude can materially affect the viability of long place kicks and drop goals, prompting coaches to alter tactics accordingly. The relative point values of scoring methods have been adjusted over the sport’s history and are periodically reviewed and codified by the World Rugby Laws Committee at World Rugby, which ensures the laws remain aligned with how the game is played internationally. Many competitions additionally use bonus-point systems to reward try-scoring, a rule-level incentive that further shapes tactical choices and competitive consequences.