The Rugby World Cup is quite simply the biggest competition in international rugby union. Held every 4 years, the tournament sees the very best test sides in the men's game go head-to-head across a group stage and multiple knock-out rounds, all of them hoping to reach the final and then get their hands on the iconic Webb Ellis Cup - named after the sport's "inventor", William Webb Ellis.
The Rugby World Cup was first held in 1987, across venues in Australia and New Zealand. The inaugural winners were New Zealand, who defeated France on home territory, 29-9. Since then, the competition has been held in nations such as England, France, Ireland, Japan, Scotland, South Africa, and Wales.
The 2027 Rugby World Cup will be the eleventh edition of the event, and will be hosted in Australia. Going into this tournament, the reigning champions will be South Africa; the Springboks won a record fourth Rugby World Cup in 2023, in France, defeating New Zealand's All Blacks 12-11 and becoming only the second side to win back-to-back Webb Ellis Cups in the process.
Further information about the host venues and the teams competing in the 2027 edition of the Rugby World Cup will be confirmed closer to the event.
