International Rugby ‘A huge honour’: Why the Rugby World Cup is the pinnacle for referees
The Rugby World Cup is the most prestigious event in the sport, and it’s less than four months away.
by Finn Morton 
by Finn Morton by Finn Morton FEATURED
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International rugby is the pinnacle of rugby union. After all, almost every single one of the sport’s biggest tournaments takes place on the international stage. From the Six Nations in the northern hemisphere to The Rugby Championship in the southern hemisphere, international tournaments deliver some of rugby’s most exciting matches.
Excited for the next international tournament? From news and interviews to details about upcoming rugby matches, we’ve got all the latest coverage. Read on to discover team updates, results and more right here at RugbyPass.
International Rankings
Matches
Points
1
Ireland
231
91.82
2
France
234
90.47
3
New Zealand
254
88.98
4
South Africa
235
88.97
5
Scotland
225
82.77
6
England
240
82.12
7
Australia
261
81.8
8
Argentina
214
80.72
9
Wales
251
78.08
10
Japan
186
77.39
11
Georgia
194
76.23
12
Samoa
126
76.03
13
Fiji
129
74.84
14
Italy
223
74.63
15
Tonga
121
71.21
16
Portugal
167
67.62
17
Uruguay
153
66.24
18
USA
143
65.92
19
Romania
188
65.85
20
Spain
151
64.05
21
Namibia
116
61.6
22
Chile
100
60.89
23
Canada
151
60.46
25
Russia
164
58.06
26
Netherlands
109
55.84
27
Switzerland
84
55.72
28
Brazil
108
55.23
29
Belgium
112
54.58
32
Germany
120
52.32
33
Kenya
110
51.79
34
Poland
97
51.54
36
Ukraine
96
49.3
39
Sweden
90
48.31
42
Croatia
83
47.51
45
Malta
82
46.75
50
Mexico
35
45.82
52
Lithuania
87
45.39
54
Cayman Islands
40
44.37
57
Moldova
85
43.04
59
Bulgaria
65
42.41
60
Latvia
80
41.4
61
Israel
75
41.24
70
Hungary
79
37.92
71
Serbia
70
36.66
72
Finland
64
36.59
73
Denmark
84
36.42
77
Botswana
40
36.21
80
Slovenia
77
35.43
88
Andorra
74
32.07
94
Iran
10
30
101
Eswatini
19
26.04
102
Norway
75
25.95
Fixtures & Results
International Rugby History
Organised international rugby began in 1886 when Scotland, Wales and Ireland formed the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) – or as it’s now known, World Rugby. In 1890, England officially joined and the IRFB wrote the first international laws of rugby union.
Fast forward to 1949 and Australia, New Zealand and South Africa joined the IRFB. In the coming years, more and more teams from all over the world became full members, including France (1978), Argentina (1987) and Japan (1987). By the 1980s, many of the countries began to consider creating a world championship and by 1987, this dream had become a reality. Today, the Rugby World Cup remains the highlight of the international rugby calendar.
Recent International Rugby History
In 2003, an international rugby rankings system was introduced. When the system was first launched, England topped the international rankings after the team won the 2003 edition of the Rugby World Cup. However, New Zealand have dominated the international rugby rankings since. Between 2009 and 2019, the team held the number one spot uninterrupted.
Rugby union is now a truly global game. World Rugby has more than 100 member unions and a further 20+ nations hold associate member status. As a result, international rugby teams from across the world often play against each other for bragging rights, trophies and world ranking points. No matter what month of the year it may be, you’re sure to find an international rugby fixture that you can watch.
