Rugby World Cup at Stade de France
Rugby World Cup at Stade de France
The Rugby World Cup is an international men's competition that has been held every four years since 1987. It is open to all federations recognised by World Rugby (formerly the IRB). The first edition was held jointly in New Zealand and Australia in 1987. Only sixteen teams were invited. The All Blacks came out on top, beating the French team 29-9.
The trophy awarded to the winner of this competition is called the William Webb Ellis Trophy, in tribute to the student who is said to have invented rugby in 1823. According to legend, he showed "contempt for the rules" by catching the ball and running with it.
WINNERS OF THE 9 FIRST EDITIONS
Only four nations have ever won the World Cup. New Zealand have won the trophy three times, in 1987, 2011 and 2015, as have South Africa in 1995, 2007 and 2019. Australia have won twice, in 1991 and 1999, and England emerged victorious from the competition in 2003, the only country from the northern hemisphere to take the global trophy. France have reached the Final three times (1987, 1999, 2011).
FRANCE TO HOST ITS FIRST RUGBY WORLD CUP
France hosted its first Rugby World Cup in 2007. After a qualification phase between the national teams of 86 countries, only eleven teams will take part in the tournament with France, automatically qualified as the host country. The other eight nations qualified on the basis of their results at the 2003 tournament. Exceptionally, the FFR agreed to relocate four matches, including a quarter-final in Cardiff (Wales) and two others in Edinburgh (Scotland).
South Africa won the World Cup for the second time. They beat England in a match without a try.
AND 2 FOR FRANCE
France will host the competition for the second time in 2023.
This 10th edition will feature 20 teams, twelve of whom qualified directly by finishing in the top three of their group in Japan in 2019, and eight of whom qualified through a global qualification process. In all, 48 matches will be played over 51 days in 9 stadiums in 10 host cities.
The cast at the Stade de France is nothing short of exceptional! No fewer than 6 of the 8 best teams in the world - France, Australia, New Zealand, Scotland, South Africa and Ireland - will take to the pitch at the Stade de France for the group phase of the competition, including the opening match. The Stade de France also hosts 2 Quarter Finals, 2 Semi-Finals, the Bronze Final and the Final.
