The 2023 Rugby World Cup will begin on September 8 as hosts France take on New Zealand at Stade de France in Paris.
It will be the tenth edition of the tournament after it first took place in 1987, a year in which the All Blacks took the first title.
Across the competition's history, 26 different teams have battled it out for supremacy with some proving more successful than others. This time around, Chile will make their debut whilst Portugal return to the tournament for the first time since 2007.
For a full list of tournament records since its inaugural edition, The Sporting News is on hand.
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Most titles in Rugby World Cup history
New Zealand & South Africa (3)
Throughout the history of the Rugby World Cup, two nations have proven more successful than any other in winning the competition.
Both New Zealand and South Africa have previously won three tournaments each, as they continue to fight it out for overall supremacy.
The All Blacks won the very first Rugby World Cup in 1987 before adding two more titles in 2011 and 2015 respectively. As for South Africa, they've won the tournament in 1995, 2007 and were the last winners back in 2019.
The other three prior World Cups have been won by Australia (2) and England (1).
Most finals appearances
As well as winning the tournament the joint-most of any nation, New Zealand also share the honour of playing in the most Rugby World Cup finals.
The All Blacks have played in four finals during the history of the tournament, as too have Australia and England.
Most finals lost
Look away English and French fans because as of before the 2023 tournament, England and France currently hold the record for most finals lost.
Both sides have lost in the final on three occasions previously, though France hold the dubious honour of being the only side to have ever reached the final and not won the competition!
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Biggest wins/losses in Rugby World Cup history
Australia 142-0 Namibia (2003)
Back in 2003, Australia set the record for the biggest victory ever seen at the Rugby World Cup.
During their third of four Pool A matches that year, the Wallabies faced off with underdogs Namibia and ran in a staggering 21 tries in the process. Chris Latham proved the most lethal, bagging five tries of his own with Mathew Rogers registering 16 conversions along the way.
Top five biggest wins/losses
| Team | Opponent | Score | Date |
|---|---|---|---|
| Australia | Namibia | 142–0 | 24 October 2003 |
| New Zealand | Japan | 145–17 | 4 June 1995 |
| New Zealand | Italy | 101–3 | 14 October 1999 |
| England | Uruguay | 111–13 | 2 November 2003 |
| New Zealand | Portugal | 108–13 | 15 September 2007 |
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Most tries by a player in Rugby World Cup history
Jonah Lomu & Bryan Habana (15)
New Zealand's Jonah Lomu and South Africa's Bryan Habana both currently hold the record for most tries ever scored at the Rugby World Cup.
The duo both crossed the line 15 times during their careers, whilst they both hold the record for most scored in a single tournament at eight.
New Zealand's Marc Ellis holds the record for most tries scored in a Rugby World Cup match however, as he recorded six in his side's match vs Japan in 1995.
| Tries | Name | Team | Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 15 | Jonah Lomu | New Zealand | 1995–1999 |
| Bryan Habana | South Africa | 2007–2015 | |
| 14 | Drew Mitchell | Australia | 2007–2015 |
| 13 | Doug Howlett | New Zealand | 2003–2007 |
| 12 | Adam Ashley-Cooper | Australia | 2007–2019 |
Most points by a player in Rugby World Cup history
Jonny Wilkinson (277)
Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson currently holds the record for most points ever scored at the Rugby World Cup.
Playing in the 1999, 2003, 2007 and 2011 editions of the competition, Wilkinson recorded 277 points in total — a record 50 points more than Scotland's Gavin Hastings in second spot.
| Points | Name | Team | Apps | Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 277 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 19 | 1999, 2003, 2007, 2011 |
| 227 | Gavin Hastings | Scotland | 13 | 1987, 1991, 1995 |
| 195 | Michael Lynagh | Australia | 15 | 1987, 1991, 1995 |
| 191 | Dan Carter | New Zealand | 15 | 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015 |
| 170 | Grant Fox | New Zealand | 10 | 1987, 1991 |
Most conversions by a player in Rugby World Cup history
Dan Carter (58)
Throughout the history of this tournament, New Zealand's Dan Carter has recorded more successful conversions than any other player.
His form with the boot helped his side to capture the titles in both 2011 and 2015.
| Con. | Name | Team | Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 58 | Dan Carter | New Zealand | 2003–2015 |
| 39 | Gavin Hastings | Scotland | 1987–1995 |
| 37 | Grant Fox | New Zealand | 1987–1991 |
| 36 | Michael Lynagh | Australia | 1987–1995 |
| 28 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 1999–2011 |
Most drop goals by a player in Rugby World Cup history
Jonny Wilkinson (14)
As well as having the most points in the history of the competition, England's Jonny Wilkinson has also recorded the most drop goals with 14.
That tally is over double the amount of any other player with his most famous coming in the 2003 World Cup final when England won their only title with a 20–17 victory over old foes Australia.
| Drop | Name | Team | Tournaments |
|---|---|---|---|
| 14 | Jonny Wilkinson | England | 1999–2011 |
| 6 | Jannie de Beer | South Africa | 1999 |
| 5 | Rob Andrew | England | 1987–1995 |
| Gareth Rees | Canada | 1987–1999 | |
| 4 | Juan Martín Hernández | Argentina | 2003–2015 |
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