Lesson 1: What Is Major League Rugby and What's the Goal?

**Major League Rugby (MLR)** is North America's top professional rugby competition. It follows the worldwide **Rugby Union** rules, with a few special changes to speed up play. Two teams of **15 players** face off on the field at a time. Each team is made up of **8 forwards** and **7 backs**, and a matchday squad can include up to 8 replacements for a total of 23 players. The core objective is simple: - Carry, pass, or kick an **oval ball** into the opponent's territory - Score more **points** than the other team before time runs out - The team with **more points when the final whistle blows wins** A match lasts **80 minutes**, split into two **40-minute halves** with roughly a 10-minute half-time break. One **referee**, two **assistant referees**, and a **Television Match Official (TMO)** oversee each MLR game. In regular-season MLR play, a **draw is allowed**, but playoff and knockout matches use extra time and further tie-breaking to find a winner.