Rugby World Cup News

The Rugby World Cup (RWC) is the most prestigious tournament in international rugby. Held every four years, this competition is the most highly anticipated event in the rugby calendar.

The inaugural Rugby World Cup was held in 1987 and featured 16 teams. Since then, it has grown in size and stature. From 1999 to 2023, the tournament was contested by 20 teams. From 2027 onwards, the RWC will showcase the world’s top 24 rugby nations.

The winners of the Rugby World Cup are awarded the iconic Webb Ellis Cup. The trophy is named after William Webb Ellis, who, according to legend, ‘invented’ rugby by picking up the ball during a football game.

RWC News & Records

The Rugby World Cup features a group-stage and a knock-out stage. The competing teams are divided into pools, where each team plays every other team in their group once. The top two teams from each pool advance to the knock-out stage, which includes the quarter-finals, semi-finals and the final.

Since 1987, there have been 10 Rugby World Cup tournaments. To date, South Africa are the most successful team in Rugby World Cup history; they claimed their fourth RWC title in 2023. They are followed by New Zealand (3), Australia (2) and England (1). Interestingly, England are the only side from the northern hemisphere that has claimed the Webb Ellis Cup.

Additionally, the All Blacks hold the record for the most final appearances (5). Meanwhile, England’s Jonny Wilkinson remains the highest point scorer with 277.

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