IRB considers cutting number of teams for World Cup

The International Rugby Board (IRB) is considering cutting the number of teams taking part in the World Cup from 20 to 16, the sport's ruling body said. The IRB is concerned about the number of one-sided matches at recent World Cups involving the...

The International Rugby Board (IRB) is considering cutting the number of teams taking part in the World Cup from 20 to 16, the sport's ruling body said. The IRB is concerned about the number of one-sided matches at recent World Cups involving the smaller rugby nations, a trend likely to continue at this year's 20-team tournament in France.

Australia ran in 22 tries to beat Namibia 142-0 in 2003 and New Zealand crushed Japan 145-17 in 1995, the two most one-sided matches in World Cup history.

The IRB also announced changes to the qualifying system for the World Cup with a view to reducing the number of international matches. The top three teams in each World Cup group, starting this year, will qualify automatically for the next tournament.

The IRB is introducing a World Trophy qualifying tournament the year before the World Cup, a move designed to make the second and third tier teams more competitive.

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