Rugby World Cup 2023 in numbers
The 10th global tournament kicks off in France on September 8.
![Bryan Habana, left, and Jonah Lomu share the World Cup try-scoring record (Gareth Fuller/Tom Hevezi/PA)](https://static.independent.co.uk/2023/09/01/10/31234351-5e8b8192-a2c9-4d14-9b1f-4e7622d6458b.jpg)
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Louise Thomas
Editor
The Rugby World Cup kicks off in France on September 8.
Here, PA looks at some of the numbers behind the tournament’s history.
10 – This is the 10th staging of the World Cup.
4 – The number of different winners (New Zealand, Australia, South Africa and England).
3 – The record for most wins, shared by New Zealand and reigning champions South Africa.
3 – Hosts France have reached three previous finals, losing to New Zealand in 1987 and 2011 and Australia in 1999.
142-0 – Record World Cup win, by Australia over Namibia in 2003. Their 22 tries were also a record.
277 – Former England fly-half Jonny Wilkinson, who kicked the winning drop goal in the 2003 final, is the tournament’s record points scorer.
15 – Former wingers Jonah Lomu (New Zealand) and Bryan Habana (South Africa) share the try-scoring record.
22 – England’s Jason Leonard and New Zealand’s double World Cup-winning captain Richie McCaw have made the most appearances at the tournament.
51 – Number of points in the highest-scoring World Cup final between New Zealand and Australia in 2015.
2 – The number of finals that were decided by extra-time (1995 and 2003).
20 – The number of countries that will take part in the 2023 World Cup.
1 – Chile will be making their World Cup debut.
16 – Years since Portugal’s only previous appearance.
48 – The number of games at the 2023 World Cup.
49 – The number of days the tournament will last for.
9 – The number of different stadiums that will host games in France.
1 – Ireland’s Joy Neville, named as a television match official, will be the first woman to officiate matches at a men’s World Cup.
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