15 on each team + subs so 22 in total
Rugby Union:15 on the field (Playing), 7 on the bench (Used as Substitutes), 8 in reserves (Not Allowed for Play) This is the kind of Rugby most people associate with the sport. Rugby League: 13 on the field + 4 substitutes. Rugby Sevens: 7 on the field. Shorter games.
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There are 13 people in one league rugby team plus 4 subs. There are 15 people in one union rugby team plus 5 subs. League does not have the flanker position
On the pitch at anyone time are 13 players with 5 subs - a squad can be of any size the club can afford to pay.
The league code has 13 players per side compared with union who have 15 per side. League have dropped the 2 wing forwards (Flankers)
13 players are required for one playing league code side. The difference is that the 2 wing forwards (flankers) were removed from the game originally and remain in the union code.