The 2015 Rugby World Cup kicks off today, with host nation England taking on Fiji at the home of rugby, Twickenham, beginning six weeks of rucks, scrums and tries.
If you’re feeling that the tournament has crept up on you, and you now find yourself struggling to find all the relevant knowledge at such short notice in preparation for the tournament, fear not.
We’ve done all the hard work for you and have complied a short list of the top Rugby Union World Cup records to put your mind at ease, as well as throwing in some other rugby-related records, which as you’ll see, are very unlikely to be beaten during the World Cup!
1. Most Rugby Union World Cup wins
The three big powerhouses of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa share this accolade having all won the competition twice. New Zealand won in 1987 and 2011 (pictured above), Australia in 1991 and 1999 and South Africa 1995 and 2007. All three, once more, are favourites so it looks likely that this record will be held outright come the end of the tournament.
2. Largest margin of victory in a Rugby Union World Cup match
The largest winning margin recorded in Rugby Union World Cup matches is 142 points, when host nation Australia beat Namibia 142-0 in Adelaide, Australia on 25 October 2003.
3. Most consecutive Rugby Union World Cup defeats
Things don’t get much better for Namibia as they have lost 15 matches in a row between 1 October 1999 to 26 September 2011.
4. Fastest Rugby Union World Cup try
Quickest off the mark was Australia’s Elton Flatley who went over after just 18 seconds against Romania on 18 October 2003 at the Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia.
5. Youngest Rugby Union World Cup try scorer
The youngest player to score a try in a Rugby Union World Cup match is George North (Wales) who was just 19 years and 166 days old when he scored for Wales against Namibia at New Plymouth, New Zealand on 26 September 2011.
6. Most tries scored in Rugby Union World Cup tournaments
The human battering ram and widely regarded as the greatest rugby player of all time, Kiwi Jonah Lomu accumulated 15 tries during the 1995 and 1999 competitions.
7. Most Rugby Union World Cup final losses
This unlucky accolade has to go to France who have lost in the finals on three separate occasions.
This came against New Zealand 29-9 in 1987, Australia 35-12 in 1999, and New Zealand 8-7 in 2011.
England have lost the final twice against Australia in 1991 and against South Africa in 2007. New Zealand and Australia have both lost the final once, in 1995 and 2003 respectively.
8. Most points scored in a Rugby Union World Cup tournament (individual)
The most points scored in a Rugby Union World Cup tournament by an individual is 126 and was achieved by Grant Fox (New Zealand) at the 1987 Rugby Union World Cup.
9. Most conversions in a Rugby Union World Cup tournament (individual)
Grant's incredible showing in the inaugural Rugby World Cup also saw him set a still unbeaten record for most conversions by an individual in the tournament after he notched up an credible 30.
10. Most drop goals scored in a Rugby Union World Cup tournament (individual)
Jonny Wilkinson enjoyed celebrity like status similar to that of David Beckham when he kicked for goal against Australia in 2003 to win England the World Cup.
It can be described as one of the most iconic moments in rugby and his eight drop goals in the 2003 World Cup earns him this record.
Guinness World Records Key Player to watch!
Our pick would have to be All Blacks fly-half and record breaking point scorer for New Zealand in Rugby Union, DAN CARTER.
We recently presented him with certificates for his THREE Guinness World Records title which feature in the new Guinness World Records 2016 book.
These include: Most international Conversions (260), Penalties (258) and International points amassing in excess of 1500 points over the duration of his career.
This will be Carter’s final tournament and appearance for New Zealand as he will retire from international rugby union once the competition has ended. Highest Paid Rugby Union Player when he joins Club Racing Metro after the world cup, earning a reported 1.5m Euros as part of his one year contract.
Potential new record to watch out for!
Georgian player Vasil Lobzhanidze will become the youngest ever player to play at a Rugby World Cup if he plays during the group stage of the tournament.
The 18 year-old will not turn 19 until October 14th and his will break the previous record held by American Thretton Palamo who was aged 19 years and 8 days and made him the youngest player in Rugby World Cup history
Other GWR records you might not have heard about!
Fastest throw of a rugby ball
The fastest throw of a rugby ball was 48.0 mph (77.25 km/h) and was achieved by Joe Simpson (UK), a professional rugby player for London Wasps, in an event organised by EMC (UK & Ireland) in London, UK, on 14 April 2011.
Tallest rugby union posts
The highest rugby union goal posts are 38.35 m (125 ft 9.84 in) high as measured at the Wednesbury Rugby Union Football Club (UK) in Wednesbury, West Midlands, UK on 30 October 2014.
Most rugby passes by a team in one hour
The most rugby passes by a team in one hour is 2,336 and was achieved by Maccabi GB Junior Rugby Squad (UK) at Allianz Park, London, UK, on 16 June 2013.
Most rugby conversions in one hour
The most rugby conversions in one hour is 701 and was achieved by Adam Smallman, Mike Burton, Alan Billington, Mark Lever, Richard Kyle, Michael Ibbitson, Ben Collis, Adam Pennycook, Doug Wicks, Jamie Pelos, Tim Wynn-Jones, Chris Shotton, Gareth Foreman, Rich Athey and Matt Toplass (all UK) at Twickenham Stadium, UK, on 9 April 2015.
Most rugby passes in a minute (pair)
The most rugby passes in a minute by a pair is 71 and was achieved by Ollie Wells and Zachary France (both UK) at Twickenham Stadium, UK, on 9 April 2015. The record was equaled by Cole Mosychuk (Canada) and Craig Fullicks (UK) at Twickenham Stadium, UK, on 9 April 2015.
