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.

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