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Walking Rugby

Walking Rugby

Walking rugby is rugby union and rugby league’s slower-paced, non-contact cousin — built for players who love the game but want it without the running, tackling, or collisions. Whatever brought you here, whether you’re returning to rugby after years away, managing an injury, or trying the sport for the first time, walking rugby gives you the tactics, teamwork and try-scoring buzz of the real thing, at a pace that works for you.

What is walking rugby?

Walking rugby strips out the two things that keep a lot of people off a rugby pitch: running and contact. Players walk rather than run, and tackling is replaced with a two-handed touch. Everything else that makes rugby rugby — passing, positioning, support play, scoring tries — stays exactly the same.

Sessions are typically played on a smaller pitch than full-size rugby, with smaller teams, making it easier to stay involved in every phase of play. Most sessions welcome complete beginners alongside lapsed players who grew up on the game — you don’t need any prior rugby experience to join in.

The history of rugby

Rugby’s origin story is one of sport’s most famous legends: in 1823, a pupil named William Webb Ellis is said to have broken the rules of a football match at Rugby School in Warwickshire by picking up the ball and running with it. Whether or not the story is entirely accurate, the school’s name stuck, the first rules were formalised there in 1845, and the Rugby Football Union was founded in 1871, standardising the sport as it spread across the world.

Walking Rugby is a much more recent, grassroots adaptation. Clubs across England have independently developed their own guidelines over the past decade or so to bring the sport back within reach of former players and newcomers alike — there’s no single documented founder or founding date, and rules still vary somewhat from club to club as a result.

Who is walking rugby for?

Walking rugby has grown fastest among the over-50s, but it isn’t an “over-50s sport” — clubs across the country welcome adults of any age and any fitness level. It’s a genuine fit for:

  • Former players returning to rugby after a long break, injury, or time away from the game
  • Complete beginners who’ve always fancied trying rugby without the physical intensity
  • Anyone managing a long-term health condition, recovering from surgery, or building fitness gradually
  • People looking for the social side of a team sport — the changing room banter and the post-match catch-up — without the collisions

Why try Walking Rugby?

For many players, the appeal goes beyond fitness. Walking Rugby keeps the parts of the game that made it special in the first place — reading play, supporting a teammate, the shared effort of working the ball up the pitch — without the physical toll that eventually pushes many players away from the full-contact version. It’s also proving to be one of the more sociable walking sports: sessions typically end with a chat, and many clubs build in time to socialise afterward as a core part of the experience, not an afterthought.

The benefits, briefly

Walking rugby builds cardiovascular fitness without joint strain, combats isolation through genuine team camaraderie, keeps the mind sharp through rugby’s tactical side, and carries a much lower injury risk than full-contact rugby. Read the full breakdown of walking rugby’s benefits

The rules, in brief

Exact rules vary slightly between clubs, but most sessions share a common core: no running (players walk at all times), no contact (tackling is replaced with a two-handed touch), standard rugby scoring, and smaller-sided games on a reduced pitch. Read the full rules guide

Getting started

New to walking rugby? Find out what to expect, what to bring, and how a first session usually runs. Read the getting started guide

Find a session

Ready to find your local session? Search our directory of walking rugby clubs across the UK — updated regularly, free to browse, no signup required. Find Walking Rugby Near You

FAQ

Do I need to have played rugby before?

No. Walking Rugby sessions are built to welcome complete beginners alongside players returning to the game after years away.

Is it just for men, or can women play too?

Walking Rugby is open to all adults. Many clubs run mixed sessions, and some areas also offer dedicated women’s sessions — check with your local club.

What age do I need to be?

Most sessions are open to any adult, though the format has grown particularly popular with players aged 50 and over.

Is it safe if I have an old rugby injury?

The non-contact, walking format significantly reduces the risk of aggravating old injuries compared to full-contact rugby, though it’s always worth checking with a doctor if you have specific concerns.

How do I find a club near me?

Search our directory of Walking Rugby sessions to find clubs and sessions in your area.

More Walking Rugby Guides

Explore other walking sports

Last updated: August 2026 — This guide draws on guidance from national governing bodies where available, established club practices from across our directory, and real feedback from the walking sports community. Walking Sports Hub has been connecting players for over 5 years, with 3,500+ sessions and clubs listed across 8 walking sports. Clubs and players are welcome to submit updates or corrections. Learn more about Walking Sports Hub

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