FeaturesLifestyleRugby World Cup 2015 Feature
The Rugby World Cup through the ages
The first Rugby World Cup (RWC) match was played on May 22, 1987, after John Kendall-Carpenter coordinated with the International Rugby Board to organise the first RWC tournament.
Every four years the leading rugby nations go head to head in front of millions of supporters.
The tournament is administered by World Rugby, the sport’s international governing body.
In 1987, 16 teams were invited from leading rugby nations to participate in the inaugural tournament, however, since 1999, 20 teams have taken part.
The first World Cup was hosted by Australia and New Zealand in 1987.
Here are the host countries for all previous RWC tournaments:
- 1991: United Kingdom and France
- 1995: South Africa
- 1999: Wales
- 2003: Australia
- 2007: France
- 2011: New Zealand
This year’s RWC will be hosted by England, who is close on South Africa’s heels with a fourth world ranking in rugby, South Africa being third.
Japan, with a current 13th rugby world ranking, will host the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
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