2011 Rugby World Cup the first Asian nation to host the first Rugby World Cup. Japan had the necessary infrastructure already in place, by virtue of its co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup. South Africa had hosted the tournament in 1995. The 2011 South African bid, led by former national captain Francois Pienaar, had strong support from their national government. South Africa had also won the right to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The IRB Council meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005 announced that New Zealand had been selected after IRB inspections of each applicant host nation during June and July 2005.
1995 Rugby World Cup – European qualification 1." Yugoslavia was banned from qualification process due to the political situation in the country at the time. "Spain and Portugal qualify for Round 2." "Netherlands and Czech Republic qualify for Round 2." "Russia qualify for Round 2." "Germany qualify for Round 2." "Wales qualify for Round 3." "Italy qualify for Round 3." "Romania qualify for Round 3." "Wales, Italy and Romania qualify for RWC 1995 as Europe 1, Europe 2 and Europe 3, respectively." ---- 1995 Rugby World Cup – European qualification For the 1995 Rugby World Cup qualifiers, the European Federation was allocated three places in the final