1987 Rugby World Cup - Participating Nations

Participating Nations

There was no qualification for the inaugural World Cup so the tournament comprised the seven then-members of the IRFB, with the remaining nine places filled by teams invited by the IRFB.

IRFB Member Nations Invited Nations
  • England
  • France
  • Ireland
  • Australia
  • New Zealand
  • Scotland
  • Wales
  • Zimbabwe
  • Argentina
  • Canada
  • United States
  • Japan
  • Italy
  • Romania
  • Fiji
  • Tonga
  • South Africa was excluded due to its pro apartheid policies.
  • Soviet Union were to be invited but declined.
  • Western Samoa was not invited despite having a better record than some of the other invited nations.

Read more about this topic:  1987 Rugby World Cup

Famous quotes containing the word nations:

    “Of course we will continue to work for cheaper electricity in the homes and on the farms of America; for better and cheaper transportation; for low interest rates; for sounder home financing; for better banking; for the regulation of security issues; for reciprocal trade among nations and for the wiping out of slums. And my friends, for all of these we have only begun to fight.”
    —Franklin D. Roosevelt (1882–1945)