The problem with soccer (foot ball in Europe) is not the game but the low class hobs that are fans. Soccer is a good game followed by terrible fans.
Rugby is totally different. It was the predecessor to American Football. Many years ago I went to a match between England and Scotland at Twickenham Stadium. Fans for both sides were cheering and drinking for their teams. All fans were mixed together. If violence had of occurred it would have been totally impossible to control. There was no violence and there never is at a rugby match.
It all was good rivalry among fans whom gladly shared a pint after the game.
Rugby is for gentleman fans and those that play it are muscular giants. They also will have a pint with those they defeated or defeated them.
As stated, Rugby is a gentlemans game but most physically violent on the field of play.
I played rugby. It is not for muscular giants. It is for the fleet of foot and mind. Knocking heads doesn’t hurt but it is a game of thought. Everyone on the team has to think like a QB from scrum on. Oh and I never turn down a beer bought for me.
Personally, I enjoy rugby. I tried soccer when I was a kid and found it to be no better than kickball. Rugby, however, is more dynamic and is more fun. In the early 1990s, I was introduced to Australian Rules Football and have enjoyed it ever since.