2008–09 IRB Sevens World Series normal 16 teams) was spread out over a three-day period. The series' tournaments are identical to 2007–2008 and span the globe: The 2009 Rugby World Cup Sevens was not a part of the 2008-09 series. Unlike the 2005 edition held in Hong Kong, the 2009 edition did not replace one of the 2008-09 series events. The World Cup was held in Dubai from March 5–7, 2009 and won by Wales. Prior to the season, the IRB announced the 12 "core teams" that would receive guaranteed berths in each event in the 2008–09 series: The one new core team was the
History of rugby union matches between England and Italy History of rugby union matches between England and Italy The national rugby union teams of England and Italy have been playing each other in Test rugby since 1991, and by February 2018, they had met in 24 test matches, all of which have been won by England. Their first meeting was on 8 October 1991 in the 1991 Rugby World Cup, England won 36–6. England have played Italy three times in Rugby World Cups, once in a Rugby World Cup qualifier at Huddersfield and once in an Autumn International, prior to them joining the Six Nations Championship. Italy's inclusion into