Tournament history
1987 - Winners: New Zealand
Runners-up: France
The inaugural tournament appeared the sign of things to come with a dominant All Blacks sweeping all before them, but it remains their solitary title. Only France appeared capable of an upset in the land of the long white cloud but, despite Serge Blanco's brilliance, they were dispatched 29-9 in the final. Ireland's opening World Cup foray saw them muster wins against just Tonga and Canada before Australia knocked them out of the quarter-finals. Read more
1991 - Winners: Australia
Runners-up: England
Ireland's finest hour? Gordon Hamilton's late try looked to have secured a famous quarter-final triumph against eventual winners Australia. But the mercurial Michael Lynagh hit back moments with a last-gasp score to reduce a jubilant Lansdowne Road to stunned silence. The Wallabies, with David Campese at his imperious best, went on to beat old rivals the All Blacks in the last four before edging a dull final against Will Carling's England. Read more
1995 - Winners: South Africa
Runners-up: New Zealand
A post-apartheid South Africa entered the fray and marked their readmission to world sport with an emotional home win. New Zealand's Jonah Lomu and Mark Ellis may have shared 14 tries between them but were well marshalled in a final that was decided in extra time by the boot of Joel Stransky. The tournament also gave rise to one of the greatest enduring rugby myths in which a mysterious waitress called "Suzie" was rumoured to have poisoned the All Blacks on the eve of the final. Ireland's campaign saw them again knocked out in the last eight, this time by France. Read more
1999 - Winners: Australia
Runners-up: France
A hugely disappointing campaign for Ireland saw them knocked out before the quarter-finals, a defeat at the hands of Argentina in Lens proving a bitter pill to swallow. France reached their second final, stunning the All Blacks in the semi-finals in a match remembered as one of the best in World Cup history. But they failed to carry that form through to the decider, and Australia, led by John Eales, became the only two-time winners of the title. Read more
2003 - Winners: England
Runners-up: Australia
Cometh the hour. Clive Woodward's "white orcs on steroids" became the first northern hemisphere side to lift the Webb Ellis trophy, thanks in no small part to Jonny Wilkinson, whose momentous drop goal sealed the title with seconds to spare, the out-half ending the tournament with 113 points. Ireland, despite a bright start and a promising performance against hosts Australia in the group stages, were soundly beaten by France in the last eight, while New Zealand, overwhelming favourites going into the campaign, failed to live up to the expectations. Read more
