Today in history: 1999 Rugby World Cup
This was the first Rugby World Cup to be held in the sport's professional era.
The 1999 Rugby World Cup was the fourth version of the quadrennial international rugby union championship
Hosted by Wales from 1 October to 6 November 1999, the Rugby World Cup matches were played in four countries, namely England, France, Scotland and Ireland.
This was the first Rugby World Cup to be held in the sport’s professional era. The 1995 Rugby World Cup that was hosted by South Africa was the last major event of the rugby union’s amateur era. Two months after the tournament, the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) opened the sport to professionalism.
The number of teams participating increased from 16 to 20. The 1999 final was played at Millennium Stadium, Cardiff, and was won by Australia who beat France 35–12.
Information sourced from: South African History Online.
