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
Scotland at the Rugby World Cup host country and the number of qualified teams in each tournament (in parentheses) are shown. Gavin Hastings is by far the most successful Scottish world cup player, and has gained a number of records. Most overall conversions in final stages Most penalties in a match RWC qualifying countries which Scotland has not played at the tournament include Canada, Wales and Namibia. Scotland has never been the main host of the World Cup, but a number of Rugby World Cup games have been played in Scotland over the years. When World Cups have been in the Northern Hemisphere, Scotland has hosted