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In common with several other sports, including cricket but not football (soccer), there is a single Ireland rugby union team covering both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In Ireland as a whole, rugby is the third most popular sport after Gaelic football and football. Famous Irish players have come from both north (such as Willie John McBride, perhaps Ireland's greatest ever player) and south (such as Brian O'Driscoll, perhaps Ireland's most famous sportsman for the last decade).

In common with several other sports, including cricket but not football (soccer), there is a single Ireland rugby union team covering both Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In Ireland as a whole, rugby is the third most popular sport after Gaelic football and football. Famous Irish players have come from both north (such as Willie John McBride, perhaps Ireland's greatest ever player) and south (such as Brian O'Driscoll, perhaps Ireland's most famous sportsman for the last decade).

In 1987 the first world cup was held with New Zealand's All Blacks winning at home.  Since then the World Cup has been won by Australia (twice), South Africa (twice) and England (once). A notable feature of the world game since the World Cup era began has been the dominance of the All Blacks between world cups but their inability to win the main prize. The seventh Rugby World Cup took place in New Zealand in September and October 2011, with New Zealand being the winner.

In 1987 the first world cup was held with New Zealand's All Blacks winning at home.  The World Cup has subsequently been won by Australia (1991, 1999), South Africa (1995, 2007), England (2003) and New Zealand (1987, 2011, 2015). The next World Cup will take place in Japan in 2019.

==Rugby League==

==Rugby League==