When was the World Championship Rugby held for the first time and the Webb Ellis Cup awarded?

The Webb Ellis Cup is the trophy awarded to the winner of the men's Rugby World Cup, the premier competition in men's international rugby union. The Cup is named after William Webb Ellis, who is often credited as being the inventor of rugby football. Rugby Union is played throughout the Commonwealth and has become a worldwide sport. The southern hemisphere is dominated by countries such as Argentina, South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. In the northern hemisphere England, Wales, Schotland, Ireland, Italy and France are considered to be the top 6.

The trophy is silver gilt and has been presented to the winner of the Rugby World Cup since the first competition in 1987. It has been won three times by New Zealand (1987, 2011 & 2015) and South Africa (1995, 2007 & 2019), twice by Australia (1991 & 1999), and once by England (2003).

In September 2023 the Rugby World Cup tournament will be held throughout France. All previous winners will be present in this competition, comprising 20 countries in total.