Governing Bodies

World Rugby

Also Known As International Rugby Board (IRB) Former name of the organization, in use 1998 to 2014. · International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) Founding name of the organization, in use 1886 to 1998.

Citation Formats

General Reference

Sport and Games Atlas. "World Rugby." Accessed August 30, 2026. https://dev-sport.interactiveatlas.org/governing-bodies/world-rugby.

APA Style

Sport and Games Atlas. (n.d.). World Rugby. Retrieved August 30, 2026, from https://dev-sport.interactiveatlas.org/governing-bodies/world-rugby

BibTeX

@misc{sportandgamesatlas-world-rugby,
  author = {Sport and Games Atlas},
  title = {World Rugby},
  year = {2026},
  url = {https://dev-sport.interactiveatlas.org/governing-bodies/world-rugby},
  note = {Accessed August 30, 2026}
}

World Rugby, founded in 1886 and headquartered in Dublin, Ireland, is the international federation for rugby union, encompassing more than five hundred million fans and eight million players across one hundred thirty four national member federations affiliated through six regional associations. It was known as the International Rugby Football Board when the Rugby World Cup began in 1987, and states its purpose as growing rugby to make it more relevant and accessible, with a vision of a global sport for all.

Facts

Body Type

International sport federation 1

Founded

1886 1

Headquarters

Dublin, Ireland. 1

Founders

Founded 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board by the rugby unions of Ireland, Scotland and Wales; England joined in 1890. 1

Cross-Tradition Connections