For a sport that has been played for so long in many countries around the world it is perhaps a little surprising that the first Rugby World Cup didn't take place until 1987.

That inaugural World Cup was hosted jointly by New Zealand and Australia, and 16 teams were involved: the International Rugby Board members New Zealand, Australia, England, France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales (South Africa were still unable to compete due to sanctions over apartheid). The remaining nine places were filled through invitations to Argentina, Canada, Fiji, Italy, Japan, Romania, Tonga, United States and Zimbabwe.

The First Rugby World Cup

There were four groups with the top two qualifying for the knock-out stage. The 'big seven' all appeared in the quarter finals together with Fiji. New Zealand thrashed Wales in one semi final and France defeated Australia in the other. And so the first ever Rugby World Cup final took place on 20th June, 1987, at Eden Park, Auckland. New Zealand beat France by 29-9 to lift the Webb Ellis Trophy.

Rugby World Cup DVD Highlights

Since then, the Rugby World Cup has been held every four years alternating between Southern and Northern Hemisphere locations. Within a few weeks of the conclusion of the tournament there are usually a range of official Rugby World Cup DVDs released, covering highlights, tries and stories of the event.