Australia's World Cup bid was confirmed on this day in 2002 © IRB

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Players/Officials: Inga Tuigamala | Clive Woodward

Teams: Australia | England | France | Ireland | New Zealand

2002
An IRB vote gave Australia exclusive hosting rights to the 2003 Rugby World Cup. The original plan was for the tournament to be shared between Australia and New Zealand.

The sport's showpiece tournament, held every four years, was originally scheduled for Australia and New Zealand but World Cup organisers withdrew their invitation to New Zealand to co-host the tournament last month after officials refused to sign the sub-host agreement. The Kiwis found themselves axed due to concerns about their ability to provide venues without pre-booked advertising and seating. Tournament organisers had already been angered by the Kiwis' failure to move their domestic NPC Championship out of World Cup time, reluctantly agreeing to an overlap in the two competitions.

"The integrity of the tournament is at the front of our thinking," said ARU chief executive John O'Neill. "At the same time, there is the chance to provide a great legacy for the game in Australia, both in terms of exposure and also financially. Professional sport is a tough, competitive environment in Australia. A Rugby World Cup staged here will give us an edge our competitors lack."

2005
Clive Woodward's ill-fated British and Irish Lions tour got underway as the squad met for the first time outside Cardiff. Woodward's squad, which ballooned to over 50 players, was subjected to a tour that rapidly became a PR nightmare and they were humbled 3-0 by the All Blacks in the Test matches.

"This is the day it has all become real," said Woodward. "I am determined we leave no stone unturned in our preparations and this is the first opportunity for me to sit down with the players to discuss that. I am very impressed by them. They are totally up for it, focused and committed to doing the best possible for their clubs, countries and the Lions. I want this Tour to be different from any other with each player enjoying the experience, acting as an ambassador for their country as well as focussing on winning."

1959
Ireland beat the undisputed Five Nations champions, France, 9-5 in an exciting match in Dublin that was also French captain, Lucien Mias's last international. Irish fly-half Michael English scored a drop-goal, while a converted try from winger Niall Brophy secured the victory.

1949
Skipper Dick Furbank celebrated his 82nd successive club match since November 1946 for Bedford by scoring a try to help them to a 26-8 win against Wakefield.

1964
The Welsh Schools, with a young JPR Williams at full-back and Phil Bennett at fly-half, beat their English counterparts 6-0 at Newport in an Under-15 international. Wilson Lauder, later to play flanker for Scotland, was a member of the Welsh pack.

1970
England conceded their then record score, losing 35-13 against a rampant French XV in Paris.

1992
A World XV led by Scotland's David Sole beat New Zealand 28-14 in a Test to celebrate the Centenary of the NZRFU. New Zealand were on the score sheet thanks to tries from Inga Tuigamala and Richard Turner.