Changes

==International==

==International==

Despite its English origins, rugby gained popularity amongst the smaller British nations of Scotland, Ireland and Wales.  Through emigration, British colonies in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa developed also a strong following.  The game was also adopted in France who formed one of the "Five Nations" teams that compete in the annual northern hemisphere competition. Attempts to start the game simultaneously with soccer by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany in Germany proved to be a failure due to the subsequent popularity of soccer and the advent of World War I, and thus the game did not spread as a '''national game''' in Europe beyond France until the relatively modern era, although many rugby football clubs were started throughout Europe and South America.  This has recently been expanded to Six Nations with the addition of Italy.  Other countries where the game is popular include Argentina and various southern Pacific islands.

Despite its English origins, rugby gained popularity amongst the smaller British nations of Scotland, Ireland and Wales.  Through emigration, British colonies in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa also developed a strong following.  The game was also adopted in France after being introduced by British residents who formed one of the "Five Nations" teams that compete in the annual northern hemisphere competition. A similar annual competition was established in the southern hemisphere after the re-admission of South Africa into international sporting competition after the days of apartheid. This currently called the Tri Nations competition.

 

Attempts to start the game simultaneously with soccer by Kaiser Wilhelm II of Germany in Germany proved to be a failure due to the subsequent popularity of soccer and the advent of World War I, and thus the game did not spread as a '''national game''' in continental Europe beyond France until the relatively modern era, although many rugby football clubs were started throughout Europe and South America.  This has recently been expanded to Six Nations with the addition of Italy.  Other countries where the game is popular include Argentina and various southern Pacific islands.

Mini versions of the game have also been developed, such as Rugby Sevens, where only seven players are in a team. Rugby has typically been a physical contact sport for men but alternative versions such as touch rugby where a player is obliged to release the ball when touched rather than physically tackled have also been developed. Since the 1980s women's Rugby has been growing in popularity.

Mini versions of the game have also been developed, such as Rugby Sevens, where only seven players are in a team. Rugby has typically been a physical contact sport for men but alternative versions such as touch rugby where a player is obliged to release the ball when touched rather than physically tackled have also been developed. Since the 1980s women's Rugby has been growing in popularity.