A guide to the 2023 Rugby World Cup in France

The Rugby World Cup begins with 20 teams divided into four pools of five.

POOL A: France, New Zealand, Italy, Uruguay, Namibia

POOL B: South Africa, Ireland, Scotland, Tonga, Romania

POOL C: Wales, Australia, Fiji, Georgia, Portugal

POOL D: England, Japan, Argentina, Samoa, Chile

The final will be held at Stade de France in Paris on Sunday October 29 (AEDT).

PAST WINNERS

There have been nine previous Rugby World Cup tournaments. New Zealand and South Africa have each won the trophy three times.

1987: New Zealand bt France 29-9 (in Auckland)

1991: Australia bt England 12-6 (in London)

1995: South Africa bt New Zealand 15-12 (in Johannesburg)

1999: Australia bt France 35-12 (in Cardiff) 

2003: England bt Australia 20-17 (in Sydney)

2007: South Africa bt England 15-6 (in Paris) 

2011: New Zealand bt France 8-7 (in Auckland) 

2015: New Zealand bt Australia 34-17 (in London) 

2019: South Africa bt England 32-12 (in Yokohama)