Rugby Betting Guide and Sites

Rugby is a sport that has captured the attention of millions of fans around the world. With over 400 million rugby fans watching, playing, supporting, or betting on rugby every year, it is no surprise that online betting on rugby has become increasingly popular. From casual bettors to professional gamblers, more and more people are turning to online sportsbooks for their rugby betting needs.

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With the convenience of online betting and the wide variety of markets available, it is easy to see why this form of wagering has become so popular among rugby fans. Whether you’re looking to place a bet on your favorite team or just want to test your luck with an exotic bet, there are plenty of options available when it comes to online rugby betting.

10 of the Top Rugby Betting Sites in Ireland

🇮🇪 Best Betting Sites for Rugby in Ireland

Are you looking for the best online betting sites in Ireland for football? Football online betting in Ireland is becoming increasingly popular, and with the right knowledge and resources, you can make a successful wager on Rugby Union or League. However, it is important to start with the basics and find the best licensed sportsbooks to ensure that your money is in safe hands. With a good understanding of the rules of football online betting in Ireland, you will be able to place your bets confidently and increase your chances of winning.

Preview of Rugby

With so many options available, it can be difficult to know which one to choose. To help you on your way, we’ve outlined sone top rugby betting sites, so that you can make an informed decision when comparing the market! Our recommended sites are safe, secure and offer great odds on all the major sports. So if you’re looking to bet on football in Ireland, check out these sites!

✨ William Hill: Best Betting Site in Rugby

Football online betting in Ireland is becoming increasingly popular, and William Hill offers a great platform for those who want to place their bets. With William Hill, users have access to a wide range of current and future markets, including RFU World Cup Qualifying games, Six Nations, and the Pro14 competition, and outright betting on the tournament.

They also have an impressive range of in-play betting options that can be used to make the most out of any match. William Hill offers competitive odds and a secure platform for all users, making it one of the best football online betting sites in Ireland. Participants include home teams in Italy Scotland, South Africa and Wales.

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In particular, William Hill regularly has generous introductory offers including free bets, often with minimal or no wagering limitations. Be sure to always read through the Terms and Conditions to be sure that you are able to access their offers and promotions, which can sometimes have conditions which may not suit you.

✨ BoyleSports: Best Irish Betting Site in Rugby

Football online betting in Ireland is made simple with this Irish sports betting site. With no need for gimmicks or mascots, this traditional sportsbook offers a straightforward approach to sports betting that allows people to quickly and easily place bets on their favorite football teams.

The site offers a wide range of markets, from single-match bets to accumulators and more, giving bettors plenty of options to choose from when placing their wagers.

With competitive odds and fast payouts, this Irish sports betting site is the perfect choice for those looking for a reliable and hassle-free way to bet on football online in Ireland.BoyleSports goes the extra mile by paying attention to the details. With easy to access information to learn which channels are showing which matches at any one time, including plenty of the big ones such as the Rugby Chanpionship, Rugby World Cup, and the Six Nations tournaments.

✨ Ladbrokes: Best Live Betting Site in Rugby

Ladbrokes is one of the most popular online sportsbooks in Ireland and remains a firm favorite for football betting enthusiasts. With a wide range of betting options from pre-match to live in-play, Ladbrokes offers punters the chance to bet on all the major football leagues, including the Premier League, La Liga and Serie A, small scale options such as Gallagher Premiership matches, as well as options in the big tournaments such as Six Nations.

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The site also provides a great range of promotions and bonuses to help you get more value out of your bets – welcome bonuses, free bets and other enticements worth your consideration. Whether you’re an experienced bettor or just starting out, Ladbrokes is a great choice for rugby online betting in Ireland.

✨ Sportaza: Best Rugby Free Bet

Sportaza is widely recognized as offering the best free bet in rugby, with a wide range of betting options available to suit all types of punters. The site offers an easy-to-use interface and a host of features that make it one of the most popular sites for rugby betting. They offer competitive odds, great bonuses, and regular promotions that make it an ideal choice for anyone looking to get the most out of their rugby betting experience.

✨ Pokerstars Sports: Best Betting Odds in Rugby

At Pokerstars Sports, you will find the best Rugby betting odds in the market. Their comprehensive range of markets are constantly updated to ensure they are offering the best possible betting experience, with competitive odds that offer great value for your money. With easy-to-use features and plenty of options for customisation, you are sure to find the perfect bet for you.

These 5 each have a notable feature, making them perfect if that feature is the detail that matters to you. But as with most things, it’s a complicated world. Chances are there is more than one angle of betting that is important to you. While the above are great sportsbooks, they are not the only ones which stand out.

Take some time to consider what in betting is important to you, and have a look also at these other excellent betting operators. You may have budget considerations, enjoy the in-play spur of the moment action, long or short odds, be concerned about how the payouts work, or especially want a large or varied range of markets, or maybe have a specific one that is particularly important to you. No doubt there are several things which will be of varying importance. Check out these other sportsbooks with those things in mind.

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✨ 888Sports

888Sport is one of the most popular online sports betting sites in Ireland. It is often featured on many “Top Sportsbooks” lists for its excellent range of football betting markets and highly competitive odds. This makes it a great choice for those looking to make money from online betting in Ireland.

With 888Sport, you can bet on all major football leagues and tournaments from around the world, not least of all the Premiership Rugby and the Six Nations, but also the State of Origin Series, Super Rugby AU and National Rugby League, as well as a wide variety of other sports. The site also provides helpful tools such as live streaming, in-play betting, and cash out options to make your experience even more enjoyable. Whether you’re a beginner or an experienced bettor, 888Sport has something for everyone.

✨ Unibet

With Unibet, football online betting in Ireland has never been easier. Whether you’re a fan of Rugby Union or Rugby League, you can be certain that you’ll find quality odds and markets for any big rugby event at Unibet, ensuring that you get maximum value back. An extensive range of markets will keep you entertained with extended fun betting on rugby.

From the Six Nations to the Heineken Cup, they have it all covered. With their easy-to-use platform, a great user-friendly mobile app, and great customer service, Unibet is the perfect place to start your football online betting journey in Ireland.

✨ Palm Slots Sports

Football online betting in Ireland has become increasingly popular over the years, with more and more bookmakers entering the market. Some believePalm Slots Sports certainly seems to fulfil this idea, offering a greata range and variety options to choose from. With so many bookmakers offering different bonuses and promotions, it can be hard to decide which one is right for you.

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It offers free bets which are usable on all rugby games, generous bonuses and a variety of promotions. Their odds are very competitive, within a great range of sports markets including all the big names, espeically those rugby matches which are most popular.

✨ Betway

Betway is the perfect place to go for football online betting in Ireland. With competitive odds on almost every rugby match, you can be sure that you will get the best value for your money. Betway has a broad range of markets, and also offers a range of other features such as live streaming and in-play betting, making it easy to stay up to date with all the latest developments in the world of rugby.

An excellent mobile app gives you access when out and about, and a top desktop site provides the optimal rugby online gambling experience. So if you’re looking to place a bet on any upcoming rugby match, Betway is definitely the place to go!

✨ TonyBet

If you are searching for a multi-betting and multi-gaming platform that provides everything, from rugby betting to other gambling options, then TonyBet is definitely worth considering. It could be the perfect solution for your specific needs.

TonyBet is a top-notch gambling site with a stunning array of features. It has all the hallmarks of an A rated sportsbook. Rugby fans will find higher odds and a wide range of markets to bet on any event that interests them. Additionally, they provide plenty of helpful resources so you can make informed decisions when betting, including exclusive forecasts in sporting, a great in-play platform for betting, and a special VIP programme.

✨ Betiton

Betiton is one of the leading sports betting sites in Ireland and is quickly gaining popularity across Europe. With its extensive selection of football online betting markets, Betiton offers an exciting way to bet on your favorite teams and players. Whether you are a seasoned punter or just starting out, Betiton has something for everyone.

With its user-friendly interface, secure payment options, and generous promotions, it’s no surprise that this sportsbook is becoming a top choice for Irish football fans looking to place their bets online. Founded as recently as 2020 it is already highly competitive with other big name sportsbooks such as Unibet and Betway.

They have excelled especially with their betting markets in rugby, as well as encompassing a worldwide range of markets including Europe and Australia, taking in both Rugby Union and Rugby League. With great introductory offers, cash out and Acca bonuses, they don’t miss a beat.

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🇮🇪 Insider Secrets on How to Bet on Rugby

Football betting is one of the most popular sports in Ireland, and it’s no surprise that online betting on football has become increasingly popular. With so many different markets available, it can be difficult to know where to start when it comes to wagering on this sport.

Fortunately, we’ve outlined the tips and tricks you need to know in order to make the most out of your football online betting experience in Ireland. From understanding the various markets available, to learning how odds are calculated – we’ll teach you everything you need to know about betting on this exciting sport!

✨ Matched Betting

Football online betting has become a popular pastime for many sports fans in Ireland. With the introduction of rugby union betting, the popularity of football online betting in Ireland has grown exponentially. This remains the single most popular type of Rugby Union bet, as it is easier to understand from the perspective of new or novice punters.

Whether you’re an experienced punter or just starting out, it’s important to be aware of all the different types of bets available and what they entail. Find one which offers a range of options to choose from, making it easy to find a bet that suits your budget and level of risk tolerance. With so many options available, you can be sure that there is something for everyone when it comes to football online betting in Ireland.

Football online betting in Ireland is an exciting and thrilling way to get involved in the game. Put simply, match betting involves betting on both teams. This means that whoever is the winner of a single football game, you win. From Gallagher Premiers to local leagues, you can bet on almost any football match you can think of.

Whether it’s an international tournament or a local derby, there are plenty of opportunities to put your money on the line and try your luck. With so many bookmakers offering competitive odds and bonuses, it’s never been easier to get involved in football online betting in Ireland.

✨ Handicap Betting

Handicap betting is a great way to enhance your rugby betting odds and drive higher returns. It’s a popular form of online gambling that is growing in popularity, especially in Ireland. With handicap betting, you can increase your chances of winning by making use of the handicap offered by the bookmaker or betting site.

This way, you can get more value out of your wagers and increase your chances of success. Handicap betting isn’t suitable for every market or wager, but it is an effective way to get more out of your rugby football bets when used properly.

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A handicap might be offered when there is a major favourite to win a match. Normally this would mean that everyone will bet on the favourite, and even if the individual payouts are small, the sportsbook is unlikely to make money.

To give them a chance – and to make the betting more interesting – in these cases they might have a handicap. If they add a handicap of 11.5 for example, this number will be subtracted from the score of the favourite before winning bets are calculated. So the favourite team must win by more than 12 points for you to win your bet.

This not only gives the bookie a fair chance, but taking this into account makes the betting far more interesting for the punters, and will increase the winnings since the outcome is less clear. Such a handicap also enables punters to lengthen the ante-post odds in their favour without overreaching. Bettors can make more informed decisions about their bets and can increase their chances of winning.

✨ Over/Under Betting

With the rise of online gambling sites, it has become easier to place bets on your favorite teams and players. But how do you know when to place a bet? This is where your personal knowledge of the sport and the two competing teams come in handy.

With over/under betting, sportsbooks offer bettors the chance to place wagers based on a predetermined threshold. Instead of betting on who will win a given match, the punter bets on the final score. Since an exact guess – especially in games like rugby where the scores are much higher than in football – rather than having to guess the exact number of points scored in a particular game, the bettor bets that the final score will be over or under a chosen score.

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In this kind of a bet, the betting house determines a threshold for a particular match. The better places a bet on whether they think the final number of points will be under or over this score. The sportsbook may decide on a threshold for a particular game of 40 points. The better wagers on whether they think the score will be over 40 points, or under.

This is a unique opportunity to make use of your special knowledge of the game and the particular teams playing. If you are tuned in to the finer details of what’s happening with each team, their recent performances and information on injuries etc, you can use this to assess the likely outcome, creating for yourself the chance of winning big. There are also strategies like arbitrage and hedging to maximise your winnings, whether it be on the Six Nations games, or one of the various World Cups.

✨ In-Play Betting

As if that isn’t enough excitement on the betting front, these days of the internet and instant technology there is also the added thrills afforded by in-play betting, or live betting. Before the 90s betting was done at a shop front bookie, and completed before the match commenced. While the match could be watched or listened to, instant betting wasn’t an option.

Today instant betting is normal. This means that even during the match it is possible to place wagers as the game unfolds. In particular, there are the added options of being able to bet on who will score the next goal, get the next yellow card, be the next replacement, if one player or team is playing especially well, or badly. You get to sit in the mind of the coach as you watch the game. It is hard to surpass this level of thrill.

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And with modern technology, it is so easy. With your mobile in hand you can log into the app and into your account, and within seconds place a bet on an event you feel is about to happen. This seems like a no-win situation for the bookie, but betting is an extremely competitive business. The top platforms will all offer in-play booking. Just some of these top houses include:

  • BoyleSports
  • William Hill
  • Betway
  • Ladbrokes
  • 888Sports
  • Unibet

🇮🇪 Tips on Succesful Betting

Betting on rugby is becoming increasingly popular as more and more people discover the thrill of betting on their favorite teams. With so many different betting sites available, it can be difficult to know where to start. That’s why we have compiled our top rugby betting tips to help you get started with online gambling. Whether you’re in Ireland or anywhere else in the world, these tips will give you a great foundation for making successful bets on your favorite rugby teams.

✨ Manage Your Budget

Curiously, one of the biggest tips on successful betting is about the not-betting side of the picture. The heat of the moment, the excitement of the match, the adrenaline rush of the win makes us all crave more. However, this craving usually has no logic or clear thinking. One of the ways to manage these moments and still come out at the end with a great betting experience is to think through your strategies beforehand, especially how big your budget it.

As with all spending, the amount spent should always be what you have to spare for it. Treat the spending as how much you are willing to pay for this chosen entertainment. Decide beforehand on your budget, whether it be a daily, a weekly, or a monthly amount – depending on what works for you. Make sure your after-match emotions are euphoric, not the dooming realisation that you’ve just spent the rent money and lost it.

To help bettors to keep within their chosen limits, all the good platforms will have options to limit how much you want to spend, and how much you may deposit. Ironically this leads to more successful betting because of this added demension. Making a limit curbs the betting and forces the bettor to be more strategic in their choices, since betting everything in one moment will leave them with no means to bet in a later moment, making your budget go further.

Wagering on short odds, which gives bigger wins if the bet is successful, can be a thrilling way of making some extra cash. On the other hand, if you lose the bet you have less left for another bet, for more of the fun. With a fixed limit on your budget, even in the heat of the moment you are more likely to take these factors into account.

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Inadvertantly you are making yourself think more carefully about each bet, which of itself means you have a greater chance of getting it right. So ironically, limiting yourself in budget typically leads to greater winnings. Giving yourself limits you are also giving yourself more value for your time and getting more out of your experiecne

Gambling on rugby football in Ireland can be a fun and exciting way to make some extra money. To optimise your returns – and your fun – it is important to understand the odds of different outcomes and how to adjust your initial stake accordingly. Then through deciding on your budget beforehand and fixing your limits before you start, you not only extend your fun, but also increase your chances of bigger wins.

✨ Personal Knowledge Makes you an Expert

If you want to stay ahead of the competition, leveraging your personal expertise can prove to be a huge advantage. With your unique experiences and insights, you can easily position yourself as an expert in your field and stand out from the rest. This gives you an edge to make bigger winnings.

Chances are that if you are betting on rugby, you already know a lot about the game, the teams, its the players. You have watched many matches already, and have followed favourite teams and favourite players. You probably have a huge bank of knowledge on the smaller details, especially the latest info on how well players and teams are performing, and the conditions under which they do best. This makes you an expert.

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Use your knowledge to place your bets. It doesn’t matter that your mate Paddy knows more about another team. The point is that you are an expert on your favourites. If the favourite goal kicker has been under-performing lately, you have special knowledge that a regular bettor doesn’t have.

The odds and favourites are a result of the sum of all bettors, and will often be reflecting the most likely outcome of a game. But if your expertise has you informed of something that could change the outcome, use that to cash in on the higher odds. Or simply to make sure that your wagers are with the winning team.

✨ Control Emotional Betting

As the popularity of rugby has increased over the years in Ireland, as well as the popularity of online gambling, it can be easy to bet on your favourite teams and players, just because you love them.

Chances are your favourite players are favourites because they excel. But your favourite team will more often be your local one. Unfortunately, just because they are a local team, just because they are a favourite team, it does not necessarily follow through that they are the best team or the team most likely to win the next match.

By all means cheer for them and support them, but when it comes to betting it is important to step back from your feelings and assess the likely outcome of each event with a clearer, non-emotional head. But while your heart may want to back your favourite team, however much you want them to win does not mean that they will. Make sure to use your personal expert knowledge on them to assess their strengths and weaknesses, and to assess these relative to their opponents, and the conditions for each match.

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Likewise, think carefully about how much you choose to wager when your favourite team is the favourite for a particular match. It is very tempting to over-estimate their skills and chances of winning. In-play betting can be particularly risky, especially if the opposition has made a good start. Your desire for their success can cloud a realistic assessment.

Focus instead on the real-time odds which are constantly available. Combine all of your insider’s knowledge and expertise, together with the ongoing odds of the game as it unfolds. These things, together with a fixed budget for your betting, can all increase your winnings, so that your after wagering feeling is one of euphoria.

🇮🇪 Rugby Betting Markets Across Sportsbooks

When choosing a sportbook to join, you want to find one which gives you a broad range of markets in the areas you’re interested in betting. So if your focus is rugby, you want one with a wide range of rugby betting markets. Most have a good range, but these ones came up to the top of our list.

  • BoyleSports
  • William Hill
  • LeoVegas
  • Luckster
  • Betiton
  • Ladbrokes
  • 888Sport
  • Betway
  • Unibet
  • Sportaza

🇮🇪 Rugby Competitiions Available for Betting

Rugby includes both Rugby Union as well as Rugby League. Both have cult followings. In fact, in countries like Australia and New Zealand this IS football. Soccer is specified as a different sport! And while football is growing in popularity in these countries with teams like the Wallabies being a contender, your rugby range of countries has a different balance and dynamics to football.

The origins of Rugby League were in the north of the UK, with early games being played from the 1890s. Some of the oldest teams are Yorkshire and Lancashire. While in football the ball is kicked and may not be touched by the hands of any other than the goalkeeper, in rugby the ball is predominantly carried, the player running with it towards the goal, passing the ball before he is tackled to the ground (attacked).

Initially it was banned as a professional sport to limit competition with football. The two games – Rugby League and Rugby Union – though both forms of rugby have significant differences. Rugby League has 13 players a side, while Rugby Union has 15. The number of substitutions allowed is more, and there are also differences in the scoring. In Union a try (or goal) is worth 5 points, while in League a try gets 4 points. Conversion by successfully then kicking a goal in both cases gains 2 more points.

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There are also fundamental differences in the ways each game is played. League has more emphassis on carrying the ball. Players from one side can be tackled or attacked to the ground 6 times before the ball can be kicked. These issues are decided through a scrum, where both teams hug in a knot with the ball in the centre, and try to manipulate the ball out to their free players to continue the game. Rugby Union is more tactical. The game is built more on positional kicking.

🇮🇪 Betting on Rugby

Whilst Rugby League is the most popular rugby in Australia, with a strong following in countries like New Zealand, the UK, and Tonga for example, Rugby Union is played by more than 6.6 million worldwide. With such large numbers of players in the more populated countries of the northern hemisphere, naturally Rugby Union is more popular among rugby fans, and hence for betting.

Some of the top events in Rugby Union include the Six Nations, Rugby World Cup, Premiership Rugby, the Rugby Championship, Autumn Internationals, Top 14, Super Rugby and the British and Irish Lions Tour. Ireland is presently ranked as the best Rugby Union team worldwide, with other contenders including England, France, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa. All the countries of the southern hemisphere have won the World Cup more than once, with the UK and France nipping at their heels, making for good possible betting options. Let’s take a closer look at some of these rugby competitions which are more popular, across both of the codes.

🇮🇪 Rugby Union Tournaments

✨ The Six Nations

The Six Nations is one of the biggest events in the Rugby Union calendar, with teams from Ireland, England, Wales, Scotland, Italy and France competing for the title, with England, Wales and Italy dominating with multiple wins. It is an annual competition played in February and March and attracts a huge amount of attention from rugby fans around the world.

Preview of Six Nations Tournament

The Six Nations has become even more popular in recent years due to its inclusion on online gambling sites. This has allowed fans to bet on their favorite teams and players during the competition, adding an extra layer of excitement to each game. With betting sites offering competitive odds for every match in the tournament, it’s no wonder that so many people are getting involved with this exciting event!

✨ The Rugby World Cup

The Rugby World Cup (RWC) is arguably the biggest rugby union competition in the world. It takes place every four years and brings together teams from all over the globe to compete for the title. As a result, it has become one of the most popular sports betting events in recent years, with many online gambling sites offering their customers a wide range of betting options.

Ireland is no exception, with many Irish punters taking advantage of the great odds available on rugby football betting sites. With so much at stake, it’s no wonder that this competition has become one of the most exciting sporting events to bet on!

✨ Premiership Rugby

With 11 teams competing, the Premiership Rugby or Gallagher Premiership Rugby is perhaps the biggest domestic Union competition in the UK. The competition has grown in popularity over the years, with a large number of fans from around the world tuning in to watch matches and placing bets on their favorite teams. The teams which are most successful through the season qualify to play in the Eurpean Rugby Challenge Cup and the European Rugby Champions Cup.

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With the season starting in September and running through to May and playing a total of 76 matches, there are plenty of betting options. Online gambling sites have taken advantage of this popularity and offer betting on Premiership Rugby matches to their customers.

This has allowed Irish fans to get involved in betting on their favorite teams from home, which has helped to increase interest in the sport even further. With more people watching and betting on matches, it is no wonder why Premiership Rugby continues to be one of the most popular sports competitions in England today.

✨ The Rugby Championship

This championship is a tournament that has become a popular event for both players and fans alike. It is considered the equivalent of the Six Nations tour of the southern hemisphere. It features teams from New Zealand, Argentina, South Africa, Fiji and Australia, Each team plays the other two times. Previously called the Tri Nations, the name was changed in 2012 when Argentina joined the original 3. The All Blacks from New Zealand is the team with the most wins, with South Africa and Australia also holding the cup several times.

This tournament has also become a popular destination for online gambling and betting sites in Ireland as it provides them with an opportunity to make money off of the competition. With the increasing popularity of rugby football in Ireland, more people are turning to online betting sites to bet on their favorite teams during this championship.

✨ Autumn Internationals

The Autumn Internationals are a series of rugby union games that take place each year, also called the November Internationals or End-of-Year Tests. Participating teams include the top European nations as well as those from the southern hemisphere, each team playing 3 or 4 matches, giving plenty of options for wagering.

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These games often draw huge crowds, and they have become an important part of the rugby calendar. With the rise of online gambling and betting sites, these internationals have taken on an even greater significance, with fans from all over the world placing bets on their favorite teams.

✨ Top 14

The French Top 14 is one of the most competitive and thrilling domestic rugby leagues in the world. It is where 14 of the best club teams in France battle it out for the title of the best club side. This league has become increasingly popular, with fans from all over Europe tuning in to watch their favorite teams compete. All the teams play each other, making 26 matches in all. The bottom two get demoted to the Rugby Pro D2, from where the top two are put up into the Top 14.

The French Top 14 is also a great platform for online gambling and betting sites to showcase their services. With so many passionate fans, these sites have seen an increase in activity as people try to predict who will come out on top at the end of each season. Even Irish betting sites have started offering odds on this league due to its popularity.

✨ Super Rugby

The 12-team tournament is a great opportunity for rugby fans in Australia, Fiji, New Zealand, and the Pacific Islands to come together and enjoy some of the best teams in their region. It previously included teams from Ireland, Argentina, Japan and South Africa, but no longer does. as well, but they have since been replaced by teams from other countries.

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The tournament is not only a great way for people to enjoy some of the best rugby football around, but it is also an opportunity for online gambling and betting sites to get involved, wit many markets and competitive odds. With so many teams from different countries competing against each other, there are plenty of chances for people to make some money if they can correctly predict the outcome of each match.

✨ The British and Irish Lions Tour

Every four years, the British and Irish Lions Tour is a much-anticipated event for rugby fans around the world, with teams coming together from England, Wales, Ireland, Scotland, and France being chosen to play in this series of matches against some of the best teams in the world. It is a unique opportunity for some of the best players from Britain and Ireland to come together and compete against some of the best teams from other countries.

These teams will play three games in Australia, New Zealand, or in South Africa. travel to With this prestigious tour comes great excitement and anticipation, as well as online gambling sites that offer betting opportunities on the matches. For British and Irish rugby fans, it is an opportunity to cheer on their national teams while also having a chance to win big with their favorite betting sites.

🇮🇪 Rugby League Tournaments

Rugby Union has over 6.6 million players worldwide and a huge following of fans. However the popularity or Rugby League has been growing over recent years, including in Ireland. This is possibly due to the emphasis in Rugby League of scoring tries, where the ball gets touched down (a touchdown) over the line by a player running with it, then converted to a goal by a successful kick.

Rugby Union has sometimes become a game that is dominated by penalties. This can add to the drama of the game, but it can also detract from the viewing pleasure for some fans who want the excitement of watching the tries being scored.

Significantly more popular in the southern hemisphere, Rugby League is most popular in Australia (also home to Aussie Rules football) with over 40,000 players – remember, the southern hemisphere has much smaller population centres than the north. One of the strongest countries to compete, there is however a growing pool of skilled players from other nations.

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The big competitions include the Super League, the World Club Challenge, the Rugby League World Cup, National Rugby League, the State of Origin, and the Challenge Cup. Bookmakers offer a variety of markets across these games with plenty of betting options.

✨ The Super League

The Super League, or the Betfred Super League (because of its sponsorship) involves 11 teams from northern England plus one from southerm France. Each team plays a total of 27 times between February and September. The top six compete in the final play-offs, while the team at the bottom is put back into the Championship. There are great odds across a good range of markets with most bookmakers including the ones listed above.

✨ World Club Challenge

The European Super League comes together with the NRL or the National Rugby League in Australia and New Zealand to fight out this tournament every year. Teams such as the Sydney Roosters clash to gain this title, creating plenty of wagering opportunities and competitive odds across a great range of betting markets. So make sure to check out the Rugby League with your sportsbook and take part in these opportunities.

✨ The Rugby League World Cup

Sixteen top international teams come together to compete in the Rugby League World Cup. Australia is always a strong contender, as it is with all Rugby League competitions. But there are always the years when one of the other teams rises to the top – especially Great Britain, and New Zealand’s All Blacks team.

Preview of Rugby League World Cup champions

The competition moves around the different competing countries, and as always there is a range of markets and competitive odds to pick from. With Australia being such a strong team every year the odds may be lower. But this also makes for safe bets when the budget is limited. There is also the ever present possibility of an upset. If you can predict this you could be in for some major rewards. And of course, there is always the thrill of the game, and in-play betting options which can vary at the last minute.

✨ The National Rugby League

Typically referred to as the NRL, the National Rugby League is the main annual Rugby League event played every year in New Zealand and Australia. New Zealand has one team in this 17 team tournament with each team playing 24 matches . The top team is awarded the Minor Premiership.

The top 8 teams for the season then participate in the Play-Offs, with the two leaders playing for victory in the NRL Grand Final. In Australia this is one of the biggest sporting events, besides the State of Origin and its own Aussie Rules competitions, as well as the cricket of course. As with all big events there are a great range of markets, competitive odds, favourites to win, and the usual thrills for enthusiastic fans.

✨ State of Origin

Another huge annual event in Australia is the State of Origin, a match bbetween two different states – the best players from NSW and Sydney playing with the New South Wales Blues, and the best players from Queensland, Brisbane and the Gold Coast playing for the Queensland Maroons.

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In the lead up and during the match all favourite teams are put aside with fans becoming momentarily very loyal to their state. Tickets sell out long before the day, making it one of the most anticipated events in the Australian Rugby League calendar. As with all popular events, the odds are competitive and the markets varied.

✨ The Challenge Cup

This is an annual knockout tournament which caters to professional, semi-profesional, and amateur clubs. Perhaps a parallel to the FA Cup of England, teams can be drawn to play against others well outside their normal grade, giving them the opportunity to experience football at a level to which they don’t normally have access. Participating teams come from Scotland, England, Ireland, France, Russia, Serbia and Canada.

Because of the different grades playing against each other, this is an excellent occasion for trying out some handicap betting. Of course, there is also the usual selection of markets and competitive odds on offer.

Keep your eye on the table of events. With competitions in both the northern and southern hemisphere, and football being typically played in the winter months, this is the perfect game to give you year round betting fun. The northern hemisphere will play from September through to March, while in the southern hemisphere the season is usually around March through to September. You might even find the opportunity to make it to one of the big matches and try out the local beer and culture for an extra side dish.

Simon Dymond
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