International Rugby Board

The International Rugby Board is the world governing and law-making body for the sport of rugby union. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) by Scotland, Wales and Ireland. England originally refused to take part, but in 1890, it became the first non-founding union to become a member. The International Rugby Football Board became the International Rugby Board in 1998. The IRB's headquaters are located in Dublin, Ireland.

The IRB has 95 full member Unions, 20 Associate members and six Regional Associations, with the 95 full member unions meeting bi-annually and Regional Associations organising regular meetings. The Executive Council meets twice a year, with the eight foundation unions of Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and France having two seats, while Argentina, Canada, Italy and Japan have one seat, along with FIRA-AER..

The IRB organises most of the sport's international competitions, with the Rugby World Cup (occuring every four years) being the most popular and highest profit competition for the IRB, as seen by the £81.8 million (approximately $USD150 million, €118 million, ¥17300 million) gross commercial income of the 2003 tournament. The IRB also regulates the Women's Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Sevens, World Sevens Series, Under 21 Rugby World Championship, Under 19 Rugby World Championship, Super Powers Cup, IRB Pacific Five Nations and the North America 4.

History

Until 1885, the laws of rugby union were made by England, as the founder union. However, following a disputed try in an international between Scotland and England, letters were exchanged, in which England claimed they made the laws, and the try should stand. In 1885, Scotland refused to play England. Following the dispute, the home unions of Scotland, Ireland and Wales founded the International Rugby Football Board. England refused to take part, stating that they should have greater representation, as they have more clubs. The England Union also refused to accept the IRFB as the recognised law maker of the game. This lead to the IRFB taking the stance of member countries not playing England until they join. In 1890, England joined the IRFB. The same year, the IRFB wrote the first international laws of rugby union.

In 1893, the IRFB was faced with the divide betweem amateurism and professionalism, which was nicknamed the "Great Schism". Following the introduction of working class men to the game in the England's North, clubs began paying "broken time" payments to players, due to the loss of earnings from playing on a Saturday.

World Cup

The first World Cup was held in New Zealand and Australia in 1987. Since then the World Cup has been held every four years, with the next event due to be held in France in 2007. It has become the third biggest international sporting event, behind the Summer Olympic Games and the FIFA World Cup.

Rugby World Cup Ltd., which is directed by the IRB, owns all rights associated with the World Cup. Due to its size, the revenues from the World Cup contribute much to the funds that the IRB distributes to the rugby unions, to aid and assist them in their development.

Other tournaments

Laws of the game

The laws of rugby union are controlled by a standing Laws Committee, which is established by the IRB Council. The current chairman of the committee is Bill Beaumont. The Laws of the Game are formulated by the IRB, and are then circulated by the national Unions.

Structure

The Executive Council meets twice a year. It consists of eight Unions with two seats each: Scotland, Ireland, Wales, England, Australia, New Zealand, South Africa and France. Four unions have one seat each: Argentina, Canada, Italy and Japan as does FIRA–AER. The full membership meets at a General Meeting which is convened every two years. Regional meetings are held at regular intervals.

Recognitions and awards

IRB awards

The IRB awards are an annual event, started in 2001. The last ceremony was held in Paris on 27 November 2005.

These are the current awards and their holders:

{| border="1" cellpadding="2" cellspacing="0" |- bgcolor="#efefef" ! Award ! Holder |- || IRB International Player of the Year || Daniel Carter () |- || IRB International Team of the Year || |- || IRB International Coach of the Year || Graham Henry () |- || IRB International U19 Player of the Year || Isaia Toeava () |- || IRB International U21 Player of the Year || Tatafu Polota-Nau () |- || IRB International Sevens Team of the Year || Fiji |- || IRB International Sevens Player of the Year || Orene Ai’i () |- || Spirit of Rugby Award || Jean-Pierre Rives () |- || Vernon Pugh Award for Distinguished Service || Peter Crittle |- || IRB Referee Award for Distinguished Service || Paddy O’Brien () |- || IRB International Women's Personality of the Year || Farah Palmer () |- || IRB Development Award || Robert Antonin |- || IRB Chairman's Award || Sir Tasker Watkins V.C., G.B.E, D.L |}

World rankings

The IRB publishes and maintains the World Rankings of the national rugby union teams. The concept was launched in October of 2003. The rankings are calculated using a Points Exchange system, whereby nations take points off each other based on a match result.

Top 10 rankings as of July 17 2006

Rank	Team	Points
1		93.32
2		87.53
3		86.88
4		85.89
5		82.01
6		79.66
7		77.72
8		77.49
9		76.34
10		73.86

Funding

The IRB have recently released £18.6 million of funding over three years for tier two nations Canada, the USA, Japan, Romania, Fiji, Samoa and Tonga. Argentina will also receive additional support to enable it to retain its tier one status. The money, built up from successful World Cups, was released following a report commissioned by the IRB highlighting the growing disparity between tier one and tier two nations. (see IRB statement). This is in addition to the £10-12 million it normally gives out grants and tournament costs. The emphasis is on three areas infrastructure, high performance units and cross border competitions. Three new crossborder competitions involving Tier 2 nations were launched in 2006:

The IRB Pacific 5 Nations, a competition involving the full national teams of Fiji, Samoa, Tonga, and Japan, plus New Zealand's "senior A" side, the Junior All Blacks
The Pacific Rugby Cup, a competition similar to the Super 14 with two franchises each from Fiji, Samoa and Tonga
The North America 4, a competition similar to the Pacific Rugby Cup, with two franchises each from Canada and the USA

It was announced in April of 2006 that tier-3 rugby nations; Georgia, Portugal, Tunisia and Russia were identified as the key investment nations over the next three years. The program is designed to increase the competitiveness of international rugby union.

References

External links

Rugby union governing bodies | 1886 establishments

International Rugby Board | International Rugby Board | International Rugby Board

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