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
1995 Rugby World Cup – European qualification 1995 Rugby World Cup – European qualification For the 1995 Rugby World Cup qualifiers, the European Federation was allocated three places in the final tournament. This was in addition to the four places granted to England, France, Ireland and Scotland based on their results from 1991. Twenty teams played in the European qualifiers that were held over three stages in 1993 and 1994. , and were the top three sides and secured their places as Europe 1, Europe 2 and Europe 3, respectively, for RWC 95. "Switzerland qualify for Round 1." Luxembourg withdrew from the group. "Israel qualify for Round