Rugby Canada Launches T1 Rugby as Official Non-Contact Version of Rugby
Rugby Canada put out an article two days announcing their T1 Rugby initiative. It’s another version of touch rugby that World Rugby came out with late in 2023. It’s taken a couple of years to get off the ground it appears. There may be a bit of confusion around the various versions of touch rugby, the standard Touch Rugby game which has its own governing body in Canada. Rookie Rugby which Rugby Canada has been using for years, and now T1 Rugby.
Rugby Canada addressed the Rookie Rugby question in their article (posted below). “Subsequent phases will include refreshing existing non-contact offerings, such as Rookie Rugby, to better align with T1 rugby principles and rules. A committee will be put in place in order to ensure proper rollout, alignment, and collaboration across the country.”
As for the more traditional Touch Rugby the NZ article link below touches on that question, basically traditional Touch Rugby is more aligned to Rugby League with the tackle count and offside line so they wanted something more aligned with Rugby Union, “We’ve always had a long standing history of touch rugby and rugby clubs. It’s always been a popular summer opportunity for rugby players and rugby clubs. We know from some of our work that there is a demand for a product that’s a little bit more aligned to rugby. Touch has a tackle count and offside line, which are probably more akin to rugby league. So we felt that there was probably an opportunity there”
Below are a couple of links to NZ references on T1, a Google Overview, a World Rugby video, a Rugby Canada article from two days ago, and a video from Rugby Canada. Leave your thoughts in the comment section.
NZ T1 Basics Document – https://www.nzrugby.co.nz/assets/T1-Basics.pdf
NZ T1 article – https://www.rnz.co.nz/news/sport/532433/nz-rugby-to-launch-non-contact-variant-in-2025
Google Overview
T1 Rugby is World Rugby’s new, simplified non-contact version focusing on core skills like scrums, lineouts, and kicking, using flags/touch for tackles to keep it rugby-like but simpler and inclusive; whereas Touch Rugby is a widely established, fast-paced non-contact game, generally focused on continuous play with tags or touches, often less structured than T1 but very popular for fitness and social play, with T1 aiming to bridge the gap between touch and full contact by keeping more union elements.
T1 Rugby (Non-Contact Rugby)
Focus: Aims to mirror Rugby Union’s core elements (scrums, lineouts, breakdowns, kicking) in a safe, inclusive non-contact format.
Tackle: Done with a two-handed touch or flag removal, followed by a “tackle triangle” to simulate breakdown rules.
Structure: More structured with set pieces (scrums, lineouts) and designated restart areas, making it feel very much like traditional rugby but without contact.
Goal: Grow the sport by providing a credible, accessible entry point that develops rugby skills and decision-making.
Touch Rugby
Focus: Fast-paced, continuous-play, minimal-contact game emphasizing running, passing, and fitness.
Tackle: A “touch” (one or two hands on the player) stops play, and the ball carrier must play the ball from a marker.
Structure: Generally simpler rules than T1, without scrums or lineouts, focusing on quick transitions and phases of play.
Goal: A popular social and competitive sport for all ages, offering great fitness and teamwork.
Key Differences Summarized
Complexity: T1 is more complex (like Union), while Touch is simpler and quicker.
Set Pieces: T1 has scrums/lineouts; Touch does not.
Purpose: T1 is World Rugby’s initiative to teach core rugby skills; Touch is an established sport in its own right.
Feel: T1 feels more like a diluted version of Union; Touch feels like a separate, fluid game.
World Rugby Video
from Rugby Canada
Rugby Canada is proud to launch its T1 webpage and the Rugby Canada T1 Rugby Guide for Schoolteachers, marking crucial steps in introducing and developing non-contact rugby in Canada, as outlined in Rugby Canada’s National Growth Plan. Developed by World Rugby, T1 rugby is a non-contact variation of rugby that focuses on developing fundamental skills while ensuring safety and inclusivity for all participants.
“Launching our T1 Rugby resources alongside World Rugby will support a more aligned, consistent non-contact version of the sport without losing all the elements of the game we love,” said Stephanie Veal, Senior Manager of Game Development at Rugby Canada. “T1 Rugby will help to grow our sport and community while offering a more robust participation pathway for all.”
Designed to be flexible and easy to implement, Rugby Canada has released a comprehensive school curriculum that can be used by teachers to introduce this exciting game in their classrooms. The curriculum is part of Rugby Canada’s first phase in a nationwide rollout of T1 rugby, with the goal of engaging schools and ultimately clubs and people of all ages to participate in this sport.
Subsequent phases will include refreshing existing non-contact offerings, such as Rookie Rugby, to better align with T1 rugby principles and rules. A committee will be put in place in order to ensure proper rollout, alignment, and collaboration across the country.
The Rugby Canada T1 Rugby Guide for Schoolteachers can be found here.
Rugby Canada will be holding virtual information sessions to explain more about T1 rugby and how to implement the curriculum in your classrooms.
The English information session will take place on Monday, February 9 from 7 – 8 pm EST. Please register in advance here.
Rugby Canada would like to gratefully acknowledge Rugby Nova Scotia for their leadership in developing this curriculum and laying the foundation for T1 rugby in schools, and extend its sincere thanks to all Provincial Rugby Unions for their continued support and collaboration in bringing this initiative to life across the country.
More information and updates on T1 rugby in Canada can be found here.
No thanks, Why bother? Just play Touch Rugby …