The 1991 Rugby World Cup was the second edition of the Rugby World Cup, and was jointly hosted by England, Scotland, Wales, Ireland and France: at the time, the five European countries who participated in the Five Nations Championship. This was the first Rugby World Cup to be staged in the northern hemisphere, with England the hosts of the final. Also for the first time, qualifying competitions were introduced as the number of entrants had increased from 16 nations four years before to a total of 33 countries. The eight quarter-finalists from 1987 qualified automatically with the remaining eight spots contested through qualifiers by 25 countries. This resulted in only one new side qualifying for the tournament, Western Samoa replacing Tonga. The same 16-team pool/knock-out format was used with just minor changes to the points system. South Africa was again not included because of sanctions imposed on the country by the IRB, due to the government's apartheid policies.
Image: Twickenham rfu
Image: A pot of gold... geograph.org.uk 718806
Image: The National Stadium The Arms Park Cardiff
Image: Leinster 2006
The Rugby World Cup is a men's rugby union tournament contested every four years between the top international teams, the winners of which are recognised as the World champions of the sport.
The Webb Ellis Cup, awarded to the winner of men's Rugby World Cup.
Ireland v Argentina in 2007
A scrum between Samoa (in blue) and Wales (in red) during the 2011 World Cup
Gavin Hastings of Scotland is one of four players to have kicked a record eight penalties in a single World Cup match.