Rugby X - The fastest ever variation of Rugby

Back in the dark ages of 2019, a new variant was doing the rounds. No, it wasn’t Omicron or Delta, in fact it was a phenomenon called Rugby X.

Rugby as a sport has many variants, the 13-a-side Rugby League, Rugby 7’s, and for a brief moment a 5 a side event called Rugby X.

The idea was that each team would host 5 players in a super fast-paced match that would last just 10 minutes, with no breaks.

It was designed to be a spectacle that would bring even non-rugby fans to enjoy the sport.

The inaugural and only well-known tournament took place in the Autumn of 2019 at London O2 Arena. The atmosphere was electric and featured some of the finest national sevens teams in the world, albeit missing the likes of the All Blacks and Fiji.

Argentina went on to win the men’s competition, ahead of finalists Ireland after a 25-15 victory.

Check out the action below:

The women’s final was settled in the most exciting fashion with a ‘one on one’ as the attacker attempted to score past the defender. Done on a sudden death rule, England defeated the USA much to the delight of the home fans:

Mostly forgotten about over the past few years, likely due to the global circumstances we found ourselves in, it could certainly be worth a re-visit though.