With just under two weeks to go until the 2023 Rugby World Cup kicks off in Paris, we're looking back at the history of the tournament from its origins in New Zealand and Australia 36 years ago, to its tenth instalment in France next monthThis week, we're looking back at the 2015 tournament that was held in England for the second time.If the 2011 tournament victory was achieved after something of an arm wrestle, New Zealand took the game to the next level at the showpiece four years later when lifting the trophy at Twickenham. Hosts England secured the rights after seeing off bids from Japan, South Africa and Italy.
The host country was confirmed in 2009 with Japan named as the host nation for the 2019 tournament at the same time.Wales had initially expressed an interest in hosting but after dropping out, supported England's bid with some games being held in the Millennium Stadium.Gloucester's Kingsholm and Exeter’s Sandy Park were among 13 venues used, while London’s Wembley and Olympic Stadium were also chosen.The football stadiums of Newcastle, Manchester City, Aston Villa, Leeds, Leicester, Brighton and MK Dons were also used during the tournament that attracted 2,600,741 fans to the games.Ireland’s clash with Romania at Wembley saw the highest tournament attendance of 89,267.Irish referees George Clancy and John Lacey were among the officials for the competition. The story of the Rugby World Cup: All Blacks get over the line in 2011 Pools Pool A: England, Australia, Wales, Fiji, UruguayPool B: South Africa, Scotland, Japan, Samoa, United StatesPool C: New Zealand, Argentina, Georgia, Tonga, NamibiaPool D: Ireland, France, Italy, Romania, Canada The story of the Rugby World Cup: South Africa win in 07 as Ireland