Rugby World Cup 2019: The most iconic images in history from Nelson Mandela to the Queen
Take a journey through rugby union history ahead of the ninth World Cup in Japan
Rugby World Cup most iconic pictures
Show all 36Support truly
independent journalism
Our mission is to deliver unbiased, fact-based reporting that holds power to account and exposes the truth.
Whether $5 or $50, every contribution counts.
Support us to deliver journalism without an agenda.
Louise Thomas
Editor
Who will become the ninth lucky captain to lift the Webb Ellis Cup on the 2 November? The answer will be revealed over the course of the next seven weeks when Rugby World Cup plays out in Japan.
It’s a tournament that has supplied many iconic images over the last 32 years, from Nelson Mandela’s ground-breaking moment with Springboks captain Francois Pienaar in 1995 to the sight of Queen Elizabeth II being introduced to England squads eight years apart in 1991 and 1999.
And who can forget Jonny Wilkinson’s famous extra-time drop-goal to clinch the 2003 tournament, or the way New Zealand finally ended 24 years of hurt?
They all feature in the most iconic images in Rugby World Cup history, where we take a walk back through each of the global gatherings and the moments that defined them along the way.
Click through the gallery above to see each image.
Listen to Episode Two of The Indy Rugby Podcast above.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments