HEAD TO HEAD
Calcio Storico vs Rugby union
16th century
ERA
19th century
Florence, Italy
ORIGIN
England
54 total (27 per side)
PLAYERS
30 on pitch (15/side)
Ball, sand pitch
EQUIPMENT
Oval ball, mouthguard
80 × 40 m sand pit
PLAYING AREA
100 × 70 m (pitch max)
50 minutes
DURATION
80 min (2 × 40 min)
Comune di Firenze
GOVERNING BODY
World Rugby
No
OLYMPIC
Former (1900–1924)
Different Similar
CALCIO STORICO IN ONE LINE
Calcio Storico is a traditional Italian combination of football, rugby, and combat sports originating in 16th-century Florence. Two teams of 27 players compete on a sand field to score goals while engaging in full-contact hand-to-hand combat.
RUGBY UNION IN ONE LINE
Rugby union is a full-contact team sport where players carry, pass, and kick an oval ball to score points behind the opponent's goal line. It is distinguished by continuous backwards passing, physical tackles, and set-piece contests like scrums and lineouts.