First, it would be useless to talk about the total players column. This number is a vastly joke aggregating every small initiatives where a boy touches a rugby ball. If soccer were to use a similar number, nearly 100% of male children on this planet would be in.
Only the "registered players" column deserves an analysis despite being far from perfect. According these imperfect numbers from World Rugby Year in review, total of registered players around the world knows a unprecedented 9 percent rise from 3.2 to 3.5 millions. This could be explained by several factors.
South Africa leads the ranking with an astonishing number of 635,288 players. Rugby is really massive grassroots sport in SA like anywhere else. This number surpasses the sum of the second and third nations and represent more than 18% of world total of registered players. This number allows to better understand the massive presence of SA players all around the world and the key role of South Africa in World Rugby internal politic. SA numbers are continuously rising more the sport spreads in all the nation. South Africa had 405,438 players in 2016 and 530,393 in 2017.
England is now easy 2nd with 355,153 since France numbers collapsed. Despite a slight decrease, participation numbers in England remains high since a decade now as no other grassroots sport emerges in UK.
Australia confirm the third place taken in 2017 with a surprisingly stable number at 271,922 registered players. Despite all comments, Australia remains a highly sportive nation. And despite the competition of Aussie rule, rugby league and soccer, rugby union stays a well-implemented sport in Down Under.
France collapse (4th) seems like no end and is real to 258,247. France were the number one nation in registered players in 2016 with 542,242. This number came from a rise following 2007 RWC at home and 2011 RWC run to the final. According World Rugby, France lost half of his registered players in two years. It's more probable the decrease started earlier but it's true. Rugby badly suffered from the fantastic emergence of basketball in the last few years (nearly 700,000 players) and the constant rise of handball (550,000 players), this is a massive issue for World Rugby and easily explains why 2023 RWC hosting rights were awarded to France.
Only the top four nations represent more than 1,5 millions registered players. That can be considered as a huge problem when you observed France's situation.
New Zealand is the fifth nation in the world in registered players with steady number above 150,000. Many thought
USA (6th, 131,748) would climb above New Zealand in 2018 but the participation doesn't rise as fast as expected (119,682 in 2016). Recent reports of insider claims numbers could decrease.
Fiji is 7th with a logical steady number (123,900) considering the total population.
Numbers start to be dubious with
Kenya rising to the 8th place in the world (from 52,261 to 122,840...). Kenya is well known to have improving participation numbers across Africa, but this one can't be considered seriously until next year.
Argentina (9th, 121,281) continue his constant progression (97,940 in 2015, 105,151 in 2016, 109,357 in 2017) but he's now trailed by a giant.
China seems to seriously gear up to reach 113,686 registered players. Considering the population of China, this is easy. World Rugby goal is to reach 1 million players in China in 2026. This is perfectly feasible. Don't be surprised to see China surpassed England in the next two years.
Asia top 5
So
Japan lost his historic first place for participation numbers to China. Land of the rising sun will probably never recovers it. Japan numbers tend to prove most of the numbers are seriously documented because Japan lost some players in 2018 (108,796 from 109,312 in 2017). Japan neither benefit from last RWC performance or 2019 RWC at home. Third place in Asia goes to the traditional rugby nation of
Sri Lanka (59,509) which have solid numbers since years.
Malaysia is 4th with another doubtful number. According World Rugby, registered players in Malaysia would have risen to 38,022 from 10,950 in 2017, 10,250 in 2016, 9,350 in 2015. Rugby is surely on the rise in Malaysia but this would be a 347% improvement in 12 months. It's also possible numbers from 2017 and 2016 were wrong.
India (Asia 5th) continue its slow hard progression to 27,681 registered players. So much needs to be done.
Six nations suffering, rest of Europe improving
Neither Ireland, Wales, Italy or Scotland are in the top 10 nations for participation.
Ireland is surprisingly affected by a hefty decrease with only 94,067 registered players in 2018 against 103,044 a year before. According World Rugby, Ireland recorded 165,414 in 2015.
Wales is on a regular rise with 107,959 registered players from 75,421 in 2015.
Italy (Europe 5th, 77,739) came back to the performance of 2015 after a rise to 87,211 in 2016.
Scotland (6th) have a slight loss to 46,050 from 49,265 in 2016.
Spain is 7th in Europe with 29,081 registered players down from 34,822 two years ago.
Russia is 8th with a slight progression in recent years (28,158). Other European nations don't reach 15,000.
Small African nation rising
Madagascar (Africa 3rd) is still on a big rise and reach a superb number of 48,946 registered players. Let's hope new soccer mania following historic run in AFCON won't hurt this. Unexpected
Rwanda have a strong solid rise in the last four years. From more than 7,000 in 2015 to more than 18,000 a year later, Victoria Lake state now records 27,304 players. Rwanda has more than 12 millions inhabitants, so still to come. Traditional African nations Zimbabwe and Uganda are in slow progression around 30,000 players.
Canada numbers are steady since years around 28,000 registered players.
Despite a slight improvement,
Brazil numbers (18,316) aren't especially impressive considering the population of the country.
Worth the note :
Solomon Islands have 12,128 registered players, nearly the same number as Samoa.
Colombia doubled its numbers to 8,813 but still far from expectations. The same for
Mexico (9,142) Rugby in
Korea is dying now with 987 players down from 2,220 in 2015.
World Top 20 in 2018 :
- South Africa 635,288 registered players
- England 355,153
- Australia 271,922
- France 258,247
- New Zealand 156,074
- USA 131,748
- Fiji 123,900
- Kenya 122,840
- Argentina 121,281
- China 113,686
- Japan 108,796
- Wales 107,959
- Ireland 94,067
- Italy 77,739
- Sri Lanka 59,509
- Madagascar 48,946
- Scotland 46,050
- Malaysia 38,022
- Zimbabwe 32,895
- Spain 29,081
