Megan Moran Quizzes

Rugby Union quiz

How did a melted pile of silver coins become rugby's oldest international trophy, and which country is still the Olympic champion at fifteen-a-side? Here are twenty sample questions, from World Cup drama to Lions tours to the odd laws of the game, each with a short fact once you've answered. Try them on your own or test the family at the dinner table.

20 questions from The Rugby Union Quiz Book by Megan Moran, coming soon.

Pick an answer to start20 to go

  1. Question 1 of 20Rugby World Cup: The Early Tournaments (1987-1999)

    Which squad number was on the Springbok jersey Nelson Mandela wore when he presented the trophy in 1995?

  2. Question 2 of 20Rugby World Cup: The Early Tournaments (1987-1999)

    Which South African kicked five drop goals against England in the 1999 quarter-final?

  3. Question 3 of 20Rugby World Cup: 2003 to the Present

    Which fourth-choice fly-half kicked the winning penalty for New Zealand in the 2011 final?

  4. Question 4 of 20Rugby World Cup: 2003 to the Present

    Japan's 34-32 win over South Africa in 2015 is often called the greatest upset in the sport's history. In which English city was it played?

  5. Question 5 of 20The Six Nations (and the Five Nations before it)

    What was the Calcutta Cup made from?

  6. Question 6 of 20The Rugby Championship and the Tri Nations

    The animal on the Argentine union's crest that gave the team their nickname is in fact which species?

  7. Question 7 of 20The British and Irish Lions

    Which Welsh fly-half was nicknamed The King after the 1971 tour?

  8. Question 8 of 20England

    By what affectionate nickname is Twickenham known, a reference to the land it was built on?

  9. Question 9 of 20England

    Which England lock, a serving Blackpool policeman, was nicknamed the Blackpool Tower?

  10. Question 10 of 20Wales

    Which hymn tune, often sung by Welsh crowds, is commonly known by the words Bread of Heaven?

  11. Question 11 of 20Scotland and Ireland

    The first ever rugby union international was played in 1871 at which ground?

  12. Question 12 of 20Scotland and Ireland

    Which Scottish Borders town is regarded as the birthplace of rugby sevens?

  13. Question 13 of 20Scotland and Ireland

    Which Ireland hooker of the 1990s and 2000s was known as the Raging Potato?

  14. Question 14 of 20France and Italy

    Antoine Dupont won an Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024 in which form of the game?

  15. Question 15 of 20New Zealand and the All Blacks

    By what affectionate name is the Ranfurly Shield widely known?

  16. Question 16 of 20South Africa, Australia and Argentina

    Which Australian played professionally in rugby league and Australian rules football before switching to rugby union?

  17. Question 17 of 20Club and Provincial Rugby

    Which club won the first European Cup, then called the Heineken Cup, in 1995-96?

  18. Question 18 of 20Women's Rugby

    Which country won the first Women's Rugby World Cup, held in 1991?

  19. Question 19 of 20Laws, Positions and How the Game Works

    What is the term for a high, contestable kick, named after an Irish club?

  20. Question 20 of 20Records, Grounds and Great Moments

    Fifteen-a-side rugby was last played at the Olympics in 1924. Which country are therefore still the reigning Olympic champions in fifteen-a-side rugby?

Answer all 20 to see your score.

These questions come from The Rugby Union Quiz Book, coming soon with 730 more questions like them.

Can't wait? See the quiz books that are out now.

Show all the answers
  1. Which squad number was on the Springbok jersey Nelson Mandela wore when he presented the trophy in 1995? 6
  2. Which South African kicked five drop goals against England in the 1999 quarter-final? Jannie de Beer
  3. Which fourth-choice fly-half kicked the winning penalty for New Zealand in the 2011 final? Stephen Donald
  4. Japan's 34-32 win over South Africa in 2015 is often called the greatest upset in the sport's history. In which English city was it played? Brighton
  5. What was the Calcutta Cup made from? Melted-down silver rupees
  6. The animal on the Argentine union's crest that gave the team their nickname is in fact which species? A jaguar
  7. Which Welsh fly-half was nicknamed The King after the 1971 tour? Barry John
  8. By what affectionate nickname is Twickenham known, a reference to the land it was built on? The Cabbage Patch
  9. Which England lock, a serving Blackpool policeman, was nicknamed the Blackpool Tower? Wade Dooley
  10. Which hymn tune, often sung by Welsh crowds, is commonly known by the words Bread of Heaven? Cwm Rhondda
  11. The first ever rugby union international was played in 1871 at which ground? Raeburn Place, Edinburgh
  12. Which Scottish Borders town is regarded as the birthplace of rugby sevens? Melrose
  13. Which Ireland hooker of the 1990s and 2000s was known as the Raging Potato? Keith Wood
  14. Antoine Dupont won an Olympic gold medal at Paris 2024 in which form of the game? Rugby sevens
  15. By what affectionate name is the Ranfurly Shield widely known? The Log o' Wood
  16. Which Australian played professionally in rugby league and Australian rules football before switching to rugby union? Israel Folau
  17. Which club won the first European Cup, then called the Heineken Cup, in 1995-96? Toulouse
  18. Which country won the first Women's Rugby World Cup, held in 1991? The United States
  19. What is the term for a high, contestable kick, named after an Irish club? A garryowen
  20. Fifteen-a-side rugby was last played at the Olympics in 1924. Which country are therefore still the reigning Olympic champions in fifteen-a-side rugby? The United States