Rugby World Cup Rugby World Cup The Rugby World Cup is a men's rugby union tournament contested every four years between the top international teams. The tournament was first held in 1987, when the tournament was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia. The winners are awarded the Webb Ellis Cup, named after William Webb Ellis, the Rugby School pupil who, according to a popular legend, invented rugby by picking up the ball during a football game. Four countries have won the trophy; New Zealand three times, Australia and South Africa each twice, and England once. New Zealand are the current champions, having defeated
2027 Rugby World Cup the first tournament in 1987. Ireland has previously joint-hosted the 1991 and 1999 Rugby World Cups with England, France, Wales and Scotland. Ireland also bid unsuccessfully to host the 2023 Rugby World Cup, losing to France. Following the decision to host the 2018 Rugby World Cup Sevens in San Francisco, United States World Rugby chief executive Brett Gosper encouraged a 2027 bid from the United States. Japan and France will host the 2019 and 2023 tournaments one year prior to the 2020 and 2024 Summer Olympics respectively. If the United States were to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup it