The scoring system used in rugby has changed many times over the years. In the original games completing a “touch down” allowed the team to “try” a kick at goal. This is the derivation of the word “try“. Prior to 1890 games were won by goals scored. A goal was awarded for a successful conversion after a try, a field goal or from a goal from mark. If the game was drawn, then unconverted tries were tallied to give a winner. This system led to score lines more akin to association football with far more games resulting in draws than are experienced in the modern game. One of the first tasks undertaken by the International Rugby Football Board, formed in 1886, was to introduce a standard point scoring system. One point was awarded for a try, two points for a successful kick at goal after scoring a try (a conversion) and three points for a dropped goal or for a penalty goal. Most of the changes have been to increase the value of tries compared to goals (conversions, penalties, dropped-goals, and goals from mark) in order to promote positive, attacking play.
| Date | Try | Conversion | Penalty | Dropped-goal | Goal from mark | Notes |
| 1871–1875 | Match decided by a majority of goals (points not awarded) | RFU systems Prior to inception of IRB | ||||
| 1876–1885 | Match decided by a majority of goals if the number of goals is equal, by a majority of tries (points not awarded) | |||||
| 1886–1891 | 1 point | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | – | IRB scoring system after they took over administration of the game from the RFU |
| 1891–1894 | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | 4 points | 4 points | |
| 1894–1904 | 3 points | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 4 points | |
| 1905–1947 | 3 points | 2 points | 3 points | 4 points | 3 points | |
| 1948–1970 | 3 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | 3 points | |
| 1971–1977 | 4 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | 3 points | |
| 1977–1991 | 4 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | – | |
| 1992–present | 5 points | 2 points | 3 points | 3 points | – | |