Wikipedia:Today's featured article/October 24, 2006



The Rugby World Cup is the premier international rugby union competition in the world. The event is organised by the the sport's governing body, the International Rugby Board, and is contested by the men's national rugby union teams. The inaugural tournament was held in 1987, hosted by both Australia and New Zealand, and now held every four years. The winners are awarded the Webb Ellis Cup which is named after the pupil of Rugby school credited with the game's invention. The tournament is one of the largest international national sporting competitions in the world with 20 nations competing and a cumulative world television audience - including all of the matches - of 3.5 billion in the most recent tournament. The title of world champions is currently held by England, who won the 2003 tournament, held in Australia. Other champions include South Africa, New Zealand and Australia, with Australia being the most successful with two titles. The next Rugby World Cup will be hosted in France during September and October of 2007. (more...)

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