View source for 2015 Rugby World Cup

{{Short description|8th Rugby World Cup}}
{{Redirect|Rugby World Cup 2015|the video game based on the rugby event|Rugby World Cup 2015 (video game)}}
{{EngvarB|date=September 2015}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=August 2020}}
{{Infobox Rugby World Cup
| logo         = 2015 Rugby World Cup.svg
| logosize     = 250px
| datefrom     = 18 September
| dateto       = 31 October (44 days)
| host         = England
| nations      = 20 (96 qualifying)
| champion     = {{ru|New Zealand}} (3rd title)
| runnerup     = {{ru|Australia}}
| third        = {{ru|South Africa}}
| matches      = 48
| attendance   = 2477805
| top_scorer   = {{flagicon|ARG}} [[Nicolás Sánchez (rugby union)|Nicolás Sánchez]] (97)
| most_tries   = {{flagicon|NZL}} [[Julian Savea]] (8)
| prev  = [[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011]]
| next = [[2019 Rugby World Cup|2019]]
}}
The '''IRB''' '''2015 Rugby World Cup''' was the eighth [[Rugby World Cup]], the quadrennial [[rugby union]] world championship. The tournament was hosted by England{{refn|group=nb|name=host|Although England, with its governing body the [[Rugby Football Union]], was officially the sole "host nation" of the tournament, 8 matches were played in [[Cardiff]], Wales.<ref>[https://gov.wales/written-statement-celebrating-rugby-world-cup-2015-wales Written Statement – Celebrating the Rugby World Cup 2015 in Wales]</ref>}} from 18 September to 31 October.<ref>{{cite news |title=September 18 start date for RWC 2015 |url=http://rugbywc15.com/england-rugby-world-cup-fixtures-2015-schedule/ |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=15 May 2012 |access-date=15 May 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150621005947/http://rugbywc15.com/england-rugby-world-cup-fixtures-2015-schedule/ |archive-date=21 June 2015}}</ref> Of the 20 countries competing in the World Cup in 2011, there was only one change: [[Uruguay national rugby union team|Uruguay]] replaced [[Russia national rugby union team|Russia]]. This was the first World Cup with no new teams to the tournament.

Reigning champions [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]] won the cup and defended their title by defeating [[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]] 34–17 in the [[2015 Rugby World Cup final|final]]; [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] defeated [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] to take third place. This was the first Rugby World Cup where no Northern Hemisphere team got beyond the quarter-finals.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rugby World Cup 2015: Rugby Championship downs Six Nations |url=http://www.nzherald.co.nz/sport/news/article.cfm?c_id=4&objectid=11531305 |work=The New Zealand Herald |date=18 October 2015 |access-date=18 October 2015}}</ref> New Zealand were the first team to retain their title and the first to win for a third time.<ref>{{cite web |last=Rees |first=Paul |date=31 October 2015 |title=New Zealand retain Rugby World Cup with ruthless display against Australia |url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/oct/31/new-zealand-australia-rugby-world-cup-final-match-report |work=The Guardian |access-date=2 November 2015}}</ref>

The highly contested [[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#South Africa vs Japan|match between Japan and South Africa]] on the opening weekend, in which Japan scored the winning try in the final minute, was widely considered the biggest upset in the history of rugby.<ref>{{cite news |title=Rugby World Cup 2015: South Africa 32–34 Japan |url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/34269878 |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 September 2015 |access-date=19 September 2015 }}</ref> Hosts England were eliminated at the pool stage, after defeats by Wales and Australia; this was the first time the knockout stage did not feature a host nation.

==Host selection==
{{See also|Rugby World Cup hosts}}

===Submission of interest===
The [[World Rugby|International Rugby Board]] (IRB) requested that any member unions wishing to host this tournament or the [[2019 Rugby World Cup]] should indicate their interest by 15 August 2008. This would be purely to indicate interest; no details had to be provided at this stage. A record 10 unions indicated formal interest in hosting the 2015 and/or the 2019 events: Australia, England, Ireland, Italy, Jamaica, Japan, Russia, Scotland, South Africa and Wales.<ref>BBC Sport, IRB confirm 2015 & 2019 host bids, 25 August 2008, {{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7564403.stm |title=IRB confirm 2015 & 2019 host bids |date=15 August 2008 |access-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151027110739/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/7564403.stm |archive-date=27 October 2015}}</ref> Argentina had been reported in early 2008 as having given preliminary consideration to bidding,<ref>{{cite news |title=Argentina se postuló para organizar el Mundial 2015 |url=http://www.rugbytime.com/noticia.php?id=2957 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120528092401/http://www.rugbytime.com/noticia.php?id=2957 |url-status=dead |archive-date=28 May 2012 |publisher=rugbytime.com |date=26 February 2008 |access-date=11 October 2011}}</ref> but did not ultimately formally indicate an interest in bidding.

Of the 10 nations that had expressed formal interest, many withdrew their candidacy in early 2009. Jamaica was the first to withdraw its candidacy.<ref name="rugbyworldcup1">IRB, England and Japan handed Rugby World Cups, 28 July 2009, {{cite web |url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/rugbyworldcup2019/news/newsid=2053414.html |title=England and Japan handed Rugby World Cups |access-date=17 July 2012 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111033037/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/rugbyworldcup2019/news/newsid%3D2053414.html |archive-date=11 November 2013}}</ref> Russia withdrew in February 2009 to concentrate on bidding for the [[2013 Rugby World Cup Sevens]],<ref>{{cite news|title=Russia keen to bid for RWC Sevens 2013 |url=http://www.rwcsevens.com/home/news/newsid=2029106.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110527124305/http://www.rwcsevens.com/home/news/newsid%3D2029106.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=27 May 2011 |publisher=International Rugby Board |access-date=15 February 2009 }}</ref> Australia and Ireland withdrew in spring 2009 due to financial reasons.<ref>{{cite news |title=Ireland opt out of 2015 bidding |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8029212.stm |date=1 May 2009 |publisher=BBC Sport |access-date=6 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090504054052/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8029212.stm |archive-date=4 May 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref><ref>{{cite news |title=Australia ends 2015 World Cup bid |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8009032.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=20 April 2009 |access-date=6 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090423073310/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8009032.stm |archive-date=23 April 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Scotland withdrew in April 2009 after they were unable to secure co-hosting partners for the tournament.<ref>{{cite news |title=Scotland pull out of RWC 2015 bid |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8025810.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=29 April 2009 |access-date=29 April 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090430012304/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8025810.stm |archive-date=30 April 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> Wales was the last nation to officially pull out after they failed to submit a bid by 8 May 2009,<ref>{{cite news |title=IRB confirms record RWC bid response |url=http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2031234.html |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=8 May 2009 |access-date=9 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090511095243/http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid%3D2031234.html |archive-date=11 May 2009 |url-status=dead}}</ref> but Wales backed England's bid and some games were played at Cardiff's [[Millennium Stadium]].<ref name=Millennium>{{cite news|url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/13533375.stm |title=Millennium Stadium chosen as 2015 Rugby World Cup venue |publisher=BBC Sport |date=24 May 2011 |access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref>

===Final bids===
The final nations that bid for the right to host the 2015 Rugby World Cup were England, Japan, South Africa and Italy. Four confirmed bids was a record number for the Rugby World Cup.<ref name="rugbyworldcup1" />

On 28 July 2009, the IRB confirmed that England would host the 2015 Rugby World Cup, and Japan would host the 2019 event,<ref name="host" /><ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/5926689/England-2015-will-be-best-Rugby-World-Cup-ever-says-RFU-chief-Francis-Baron.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/5926689/England-2015-will-be-best-Rugby-World-Cup-ever-says-RFU-chief-Francis-Baron.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=England 2015 will be best Rugby World Cup ever, says RFU chief Francis Baron |date=28 July 2009 |work=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=20 November 2013 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> having voted 16–10 in favour of approving the recommendation from Rugby World Cup Ltd (RWCL) that England and Japan should be named hosts.{{refn|group=nb|The IRB became World Rugby on 19 November 2014.<ref>{{cite press release|title=IRB to change name to World Rugby |url=http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid=2072837.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140903113040/http://www.irb.com/newsmedia/mediazone/pressrelease/newsid%3D2072837.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 September 2014 |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=28 August 2014 |access-date=28 August 2014 }}</ref> However, the 2015 World Cup retained its IRB branding, given the proximity of the rebrand to the event, and as merchandise was already available with IRB branding at the time of the name change. The 2019 Rugby World Cup was the first to use full World Rugby branding.}}<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8126952.stm |title=England set to get 2015 World Cup |date=30 June 2009 |access-date=30 June 2009 |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] }}</ref> RWCL chairman [[Bernard Lapasset]] revealed the result on 28 July 2009 at IRB headquarters.<ref name="host">{{cite news |title=England will host 2015 World Cup |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/8170488.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=28 July 2009 |access-date=28 July 2009 }}</ref>

====England====
In September 2007, ''[[The Guardian]]'' reported that the Rugby Football Union had decided to submit a bid. BBC News reported in February 2009 that the intent was for a solo bid from the RFU, but with the possibility of some matches being played in Scotland, Wales or Ireland.<ref>{{cite news |title=England to make solo 2015 Cup bid |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7898571.stm |publisher=BBC Sport |date=19 February 2009 |access-date=20 February 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090222092455/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/rugby_union/7898571.stm |archive-date=22 February 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> It was hoped that the 2015 World Cup would add to Britain's "[[Major sports event hosting in Britain during the 2010s|Decade of Sport]]" (including the [[2012 Summer Olympics]], [[2013 Rugby League World Cup]] and [[2014 Commonwealth Games]]).

It was also claimed that the bid had a very strong chance of success due to the IRB's belief that the 2011 tournament might make a loss, therefore making it particularly important to ensure a profit, which was considered a strong point of England's proposed bid.<ref>{{cite news
|url=http://sport.guardian.co.uk/rugbyworldcup2007/story/0,,2160211,00.html |work=The Guardian |location=London |title=England can bank on 2015 cup as board pushes for profit |first=Paul |last=Rees |date=1 September 2007 |access-date=23 April 2010 }}</ref> The chief executive of the [[Rugby Football Union]], Francis Baron, said that the tournament would target sales of 3&nbsp;million tickets. England's package was projected to generate £300&nbsp;million for the IRB – £220&nbsp;million in commercial returns from broadcasting, sponsorship and merchandising, and the £80&nbsp;million tournament fee.<ref name="host" />

====Italy====
Italy stated its desire to host,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=/sport/2007/09/02/srbate102.xml |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20071014014704/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/main.jhtml?xml=%2Fsport%2F2007%2F09%2F02%2Fsrbate102.xml |url-status=dead |archive-date=14 October 2007 |work=The Daily Telegraph |location=London |title=Diego Dominguez ready for Rugby World Cup |first=Rupert |last=Bates |date=2 September 2007 |access-date=23 April 2010 }}</ref> and an Italian bid to host the [[Rugby World Cup]] in 2015 or 2019 was confirmed on 20 July 2008. Italy declared that it wanted to host "For the Enlargement of the Frontiers of Our Sport". It was a slogan relevant to the then-current landscape of World Cup rugby, given that 2007 was the first time that the Rugby World Cup was hosted by a primarily non-[[English-speaking country]].

The Italian bid offered the largest cities and stadiums in the country and promised a fast domestic train system. The [[Italian Rugby Federation]] (FIR) also included the importance of the population and the growth of rugby since Italy joined the [[Six Nations Championship|Six Nations]] in 2000 as reasons for hosting a World Cup. Rugby had been growing increasingly popular in Italy in recent years, with improved crowds at international matches.

The [[Stadio Olimpico]] in Rome had been proposed as the venue to host the final and the first match of the tournament. Milan and Naples were included as the other large venues. The entire list was a selection of large stadiums spread across the country. [[Stade Vélodrome]] in [[Marseille]], France was also included as the tenth proposed venue.

====Japan====
{{Main|2019 Rugby World Cup}}

The [[Japan Rugby Football Union]] officially submitted its tender to the IRB in May 2009.<ref name="Japan joins" /> Japan was seen as a favourite to host after finishing as runner-up in the bidding for the 2011 event.<ref name="Japan joins">[https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/may/08/japan-rugby-world-cup-england-south-africa Japan joins England and South Africa in bidding for Rugby World Cup] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303175301/https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2009/may/08/japan-rugby-world-cup-england-south-africa |date=3 March 2016 }}, guardian.co.uk, 8 May 2009</ref> Japan was seen as having a lot to offer rugby's growth in Asia.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} Its population of 127&nbsp;million, its large economy, and its ability to place rugby before a new Asian audience made it a front-runner for hosting rights.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} Furthermore, rugby in Japan had developed a following, and with 126,000 registered players, Japan had more players than some of the Six Nations.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} Japan's [[Top League]] was a showcase for Japanese rugby, and there was excitement about Japan's entry into the RWC.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}} Japan's experience in co-hosting the [[2002 FIFA World Cup]] was also seen as a boost, with Japan already possessing the necessary stadiums and infrastructure.{{citation needed|date=July 2016}}

====South Africa====
The South African Rugby Union (SARU) had confirmed its intent to bid for the 2015 tournament,<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.mattsports.co.uk/blog/30000-tickets-more-on-sale-for-rugby-wc-2015/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150920232501/http://mattsports.co.uk/blog/30000-tickets-more-on-sale-for-rugby-wc-2015/ |url-status=dead |archive-date=20 September 2015 |title=30,000 Tickets More on Sale for Rugby WC 2015 |work=mattsports.co.uk }}</ref> and in May 2009 South Africa delivered its application to the IRB.<ref>{{cite news |url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8037903.stm |title=South Africa bids for World Cup |date=7 May 2009 |publisher=[[BBC Sport]] |access-date=7 May 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090508012256/http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/rugby_union/8037903.stm |archive-date=8 May 2009 |url-status=live }}</ref> South Africa had previously made an unsuccessful bid to host the 2011 RWC. The strengths of a South African bid would be that it is in the same time zone as Europe, the wealthiest television market from a rugby perspective, that South Africa were the current World Cup holders, that they had successfully hosted the [[1995 Rugby World Cup]], won the [[2007 Rugby World Cup]] and that they were in the process of building large new stadiums for the then-upcoming [[2010 FIFA World Cup]].

==Venues==
{{multiple image
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 | image1 = RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015 (17844444888).jpg
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 | image2 = Cardiff Castle - Ball in the Wall.jpg
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 | footer = The Rugby World Cup ball in the host cities of London and [[Cardiff]]
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After England were appointed tournament hosts on 28 July 2009, the proposed stadia for the tournament were revealed. The final venues were confirmed, along with the tournament's schedule, on 2 May 2013.<ref>{{cite news|title=RWC 2015 venues and schedule announced |url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2066509.html |work=rugbyworldcup.com |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=2 May 2013 |access-date=2 May 2013 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130507111825/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D2066509.html |archive-date=7 May 2013 }}</ref> Twelve of the stadia were located in England, while the [[Millennium Stadium]] located in neighbour Wales was also to be used. In 2011, the IRB approved the use of the Millennium Stadium, despite being outside of the host country, due to its capacity and strategic location.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.espnscrum.com/wales/rugby/story/140367.html |title=Millennium Stadium confirmed as RWC'15 venue |work=ESPN Scrum |date=24 May 2011 |access-date=24 May 2011}}</ref> Of the thirteen venues, two were dedicated rugby union grounds ([[Kingsholm Stadium]] and [[Sandy Park]]), two were national rugby stadia ([[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] and the Millennium Stadium), two were multi-purpose stadia ([[Wembley Stadium]] and the [[London Stadium|Olympic Stadium]]), and the remainder were association football grounds.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/5926074/Rugby-World-Cup-guide-to-England-2015-stadiums.html|title=Rugby World Cup: guide to England 2015 stadiums |date=28 June 2009|work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |access-date=16 November 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101114060444/http://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/5926074/Rugby-World-Cup-guide-to-England-2015-stadiums.html |archive-date=14 November 2010 |url-status=live |location=London}}</ref>

Proposed venues that did not make the final selection were the [[Stadium of Light]] in [[Sunderland]], [[Coventry]]'s [[Ricoh Arena]], [[St Mary's Stadium]] in [[Southampton]], [[Pride Park Stadium]] in [[Derby]], [[Anfield]] in Liverpool and [[Bristol]]'s [[Ashton Gate Stadium|Ashton Gate]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/9595617/Rugby-World-Cup-2015-long-list-of-potential-venues-named-but-Leicesters-Welford-Road-left-out.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/9595617/Rugby-World-Cup-2015-long-list-of-potential-venues-named-but-Leicesters-Welford-Road-left-out.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rugby World Cup 2015 Long list of potential venues |date=9 October 2009 |work=[[The Daily Telegraph]] |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> In April 2013, [[Old Trafford]] was withdrawn from consideration by its owners, [[Manchester United F.C.]], citing commitments to hosting [[rugby league]] and its [[Super League Grand Final]] and concerns about pitch degradation. The RWCL then approached neighbouring [[Manchester City F.C.|Manchester City]] about leasing [[City of Manchester Stadium|their home stadium]] as a replacement. City agreed to let their stadium be used for the tournament but only for one match due to footballing commitments – down from the original three which were to be played at Old Trafford.<ref>{{cite news |title=2015 Rugby World Cup can only persuade Manchester City to host one game |last=Rumsby |first=Ben |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/9970460/2015-Rugby-World-Cup-can-only-persuade-Manchester-City-to-host-one-game.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/international/england/9970460/2015-Rugby-World-Cup-can-only-persuade-Manchester-City-to-host-one-game.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |newspaper=The Telegraph |date=3 April 2013 |access-date=4 April 2013 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref> Etihad Stadium, as it was known for football sponsorship purposes, would be called 'Manchester City Stadium' by organisers for the duration of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web|title=RWC 2015 venues and schedule announced |url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2066509.html |date=2 May 2013 |access-date=17 January 2014 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131111033040/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D2066509.html |archive-date=11 November 2013 }}</ref>

{{Clear}}
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center"
|-
!colspan=5|{{flagicon|ENG}} London
!{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Cardiff]]
|-
|[[Wembley Stadium]]
|colspan=2|'''[[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]]'''
|colspan=2|[[London Stadium|Olympic Stadium]]
|[[Millennium Stadium]]
|-
|Capacity: '''90,000'''
|colspan=2|Capacity: '''82,000'''
|colspan=2|Capacity: '''56,000'''
|Capacity: '''74,154'''
|-
|[[File:Wembley Stadium 2015 RWC.jpg|180px]]
|colspan=2|[[File:2015 Rugby World Cup, Australia vs. Wales (21485242524) (cropped).jpg|180px]]
|colspan=2|[[File:Olympic Stadium (London) rugby layout.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:Millennium Stadium RWC2015.jpg|180px]]
|-
!{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]
!rowspan=8 colspan=4|
{{Location map+ |England |float=center |width=400 |length=800 |places=
{{Location map~ |England |lat=51.555862 |long=-0.279561 |label=[[Wembley Stadium|Wembley]] |position=top}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=51.538611 |long=-0.016389 |label=[[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]] |position=right}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=51.455999 |long=-0.341585 |label=[[Twickenham Stadium|Twickenham]] |position=left}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=52.509167 |long=-1.884722 |label=[[Villa Park]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=50.861822 |long=-0.083278 |label=[[Falmer Stadium|Brighton Community Stadium]]|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=53.483056 |long=-2.200278 |label=[[City of Manchester Stadium]]|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=50.7008   |long=-3.7067   |label=[[Sandy Park]]|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=51.477778 |long=-3.183333 |label=[[Millennium Stadium]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=51.871668 |long=-2.242778 |label=[[Kingsholm Stadium]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=53.777778 |long=-1.572222 |label=[[Elland Road]]|position=left}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=52.620278 |long=-1.142222 |label=[[Leicester City Stadium]]|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=52.009444 |long=-0.733333 |label=[[Stadium MK]]|position=right}}
{{Location map~ |England |lat=54.975556 |long=-1.621667 |label=[[St James' Park]]|position=left}}
}}
!{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Manchester]]
|-
|[[St James' Park]]
|[[City of Manchester Stadium]]
|-
|Capacity: '''52,409'''
|Capacity: '''55,097'''<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.espnfc.co.uk/manchester-city/story/2561705/man-city-stadium-to-become-premier-league-third-largest |title=Manchester City stadium to become Premier League's third largest |date=13 August 2015 |access-date=10 October 2015 |publisher=ESPN }}</ref>
|-
|[[File:St James Park.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:City of Manchester Stadium East Stand.jpg|180px]]
|-
!{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Birmingham]]
!{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Leeds]]
|-
|[[Villa Park]]
|[[Elland Road]]
|-
|Capacity: '''42,785'''
|Capacity: '''37,914'''
|-
|[[File:Villa Park.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:East Stand at Elland Road prior to the 2010 World Club Challenge.jpg|180px]]
|-
!{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Leicester]]
!{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Brighton]]
!colspan=2|{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Milton Keynes]]
!{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Gloucester]]
!{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Exeter]]
|-
|[[King Power Stadium|Leicester City Stadium]]
|[[Falmer Stadium|Brighton Community Stadium]]
|colspan=2|[[Stadium MK]]
|[[Kingsholm Stadium]]
|[[Sandy Park]]
|-
|Capacity: '''32,312'''
|Capacity: '''30,750'''
|colspan=2|Capacity: '''30,717'''
|Capacity: '''16,500'''
|Capacity: '''12,300'''
|-
|[[File:The Walkers Stadium, Leicester - geograph.org.uk - 143206.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:West Stand - Amex Stadium - geograph.org.uk - 2634148.jpg|180px]]
|colspan=2|[[File:Denbigh stadium east stand 16 May 07.JPG|180px]]
|[[File:Kingsholm in 2007.jpg|180px]]
|[[File:Sandy Park 3 - geograph-376587.jpg|180px]]
|}
Source: ''The Telegraph''<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11082182/Rugby-World-Cup-2015-venues.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/rugby-world-cup/11082182/Rugby-World-Cup-2015-venues.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=Rugby World Cup 2015 venues |work=The Telegraph |date=11 September 2014 |access-date=31 January 2015 |location=London}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

===Team bases===
The 41 venues that acted as bases for the teams were announced on 26 August 2014.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D2072825.html|title=Official RWC 2015 Site – RWC 2015 official team bases announced|date=26 August 2014|access-date=14 September 2017|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140826191420/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D2072825.html|archive-date=26 August 2014}}</ref> All prospective team bases were subject to a rigorous selection process, which included a programme of detailed site visits as well as liaison with the competing teams. Each team base included an outdoor and indoor training facility, a swimming pool, gym and hotel and would be used by the competing teams in the lead up to and during the World Cup.

{| class="wikitable collapsible collapsed" style="width:80%"
|-
!width=15%|Team
!width=65%|Venue(s)
|-
|{{ru|ARG}}
|[[St George's Park National Football Centre|St George's Park]]<br />[[Haileybury School]]<br />Cheltenham RFC (Cheltenham RFC, Leisure@, Gym 66)
|-
|{{ru|AUS}}
|[[Dulwich College]]<br />[[University of Bath]]
|-
|{{ru|CAN}}
|[[Leicester Grammar School]]<br />[[Cardiff Metropolitan University]]<br />[[Swansea University]] (Swansea University, [[Wales National Pool]])<br />West Park Leeds RUFC (West Park Leeds RUFC, [[John Charles Centre for Sport]])
|-
|{{ru|ENG}}
|[[Pennyhill Park Hotel]]<br />[[City of Salford|Salford]] ([[AJ Bell Stadium]], Irlam & Cadishead Leisure Centre)
|-
|{{ru|FIJ}}
|[[Swansea University]] (Swansea University, [[Wales National Pool]])<br />[[Hazelwood (rugby ground)|London Irish RFC]] (London Irish RFC, Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex)<br />[[Milton Keynes]] & [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|MK Dons]] ([[Woughton on the Green]], [[Bletchley Leisure Centre]])
|-
|{{ru|FRA|1974}}
|[[The Vale Resort]]<br />[[Trinity School of John Whitgift|Trinity School, Croydon]]
|-
|{{ru|GEO}}
|Woodbury Park & [[Bicton College]] (Woodbury Park Hotel & Golf Club, [[Bicton College]])<br />[[Bristol]] & SGS Wise ([[South Gloucestershire and Stroud College|South Gloucestershire & Stroud College]], Bradley Stoke Leisure Centre)<br />[[Celtic Manor Resort]] & [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] ([[Newport High School, Bettws Lane|Newport High School]]/Active Living Centre, The Celtic Academy)
|-
|{{ru|IRE}}
|[[St George's Park National Football Centre|St George's Park]]<br />[[Surrey Sports Park]]<br />[[Sport Wales National Centre]]<br />[[Celtic Manor Resort]] & [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] ([[Newport High School, Bettws Lane|Newport High School]]/Active Living Centre, The Celtic Academy)
|-
|{{ru|ITA}}
|[[Surrey Sports Park]]<br />[[Cobham RFC]] (Cobham RFC, ACS Cobham)
|-
|{{ru|JPN}}
|[[Warwick School]]<br />[[Brighton College]]
|-
|{{ru|NAM}}
|[[Loughborough University]]<br />[[Cobham RFC]] (Cobham RFC, ACS Cobham)<br />[[Plymouth]] ([[University of St Mark & St John|St Mark & St John Uni.]], [[Plymouth Albion RFC|Plymouth RFC]], Plymouth Life Centre & [[Royal Navy Rugby Union|Royal Navy RU]])
|-
|{{ru|NZL}}
|[[Sport Wales National Centre]]<br />The Lensbury & [[St Mary's University, Twickenham|St Mary's University]]<br />[[Darlington Mowden Park RFC]] (Darlington Mowden Park RFC, Middlesbrough F.C.)
|-
|{{ru|ROM}}
|[[Dulwich College]]<br />Woodbury Park & [[Bicton College]] (Woodbury Park Hotel & Golf Club, [[Bicton College]])<br />[[Sutton Coldfield RFC]] (Sutton Coldfield RFC, [[Birmingham Metropolitan College|Birmingham Met. College]], Wyndley Leisure Centre, CrossFitB76)
|-
|{{ru|SAM}}
|[[Milton Keynes]] & [[Milton Keynes Dons F.C.|MK Dons]] ([[Woughton on the Green]], [[Bletchley Leisure Centre]])<br />[[University of Brighton]] (University of Brighton, Prince Regent Swimming Complex)<br />[[Gateshead]] ([[Gateshead International Stadium]], [[Gateshead Leisure Centre]], [[Gateshead College]])<br />[[Sutton Coldfield RFC]] (Sutton Coldfield RFC, [[Birmingham Metropolitan College|Birmingham Met. College]], Wyndley Leisure Centre, CrossFitB76)
|-
|{{ru|SCO}}
|[[Hartpury College]]<br />[[Newcastle Royal Grammar School]]<br />[[Leeds Metropolitan University]] & [[University of Leeds]]
|-
|{{ru|RSA}}
|[[University of Birmingham]]<br />The Lensbury & [[St Mary's University, Twickenham|St Mary's University]]<br />[[Eastbourne College]] & [[University of Brighton]]<br />[[Gateshead]] ([[Gateshead International Stadium]], Gateshead Leisure Centre, [[Gateshead College]])
|-
|{{ru|TON}}
|[[University of Exeter]]<br />[[Loughborough University]]<br />[[University of Northumbria]]<br />Cheltenham RFC (Cheltenham RFC, Leisure@, Gym 66)
|-
|{{ru|USA}}
|[[Hartpury College]]<br />[[Haileybury School]]<br />[[Royal Navy Rugby Union]]<br />[[Leeds Trinity University]] (Leeds Trinity University, Kirkstall Leisure Centre)
|-
|{{ru|WAL}}
|[[The Vale Resort]]<br />[[Hazelwood (rugby ground)|London Irish RFC]] (London Irish RFC, Elmbridge Xcel Leisure Complex)
|-
|{{ru|URU}}
|[[Moulton College]]<br />[[Loughborough University]]<br />[[Manchester]] ([[Broughton Park RUFC]], The Hough End Centre, [[Manchester Aquatics Centre]])<br />[[Celtic Manor Resort]] & [[Newport, Wales|Newport]] ([[Newport High School, Bettws Lane|Newport High School]]/Active Living Centre, The Celtic Academy)
|-
|Knock-out phase
|[[The Vale Resort]]<br />[[Hazelwood (rugby ground)|London Irish RFC]]<br />[[Surrey Sports Park]]<br />[[Swansea University]]<br />[[Pennyhill Park Hotel]]<br />[[Sport Wales National Centre]]<br />[[Celtic Manor Resort]] & [[Newport, Wales|Newport]]<br />The Lensbury & [[St Mary's University, Twickenham|St Mary's University]]
|}

==Qualifying==
{{Main|2015 Rugby World Cup qualifying}}
Of the 20 teams competing at the 2015 World Cup, 12 of them qualified by finishing in the top three places in their pools in the [[2011 Rugby World Cup]]. The other eight teams qualified through regional competition. As the host nation, England qualified automatically. The qualification process for the remaining teams incorporated existing regional competitions such as the [[European Nations Cup (rugby union)|European Nations Cup]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Major changes made to RWC qualifying |url=http://www.worldcupweb.com/rugby/news/viewarticle.asp?id=3873 |publisher=worldcupweb.com |date=10 May 2007 |access-date=30 June 2009 |archive-date=12 January 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120112033735/http://www.worldcupweb.com/rugby/news/viewarticle.asp?id=3873 |url-status=dead }}</ref>

===Qualified teams===
Twenty teams played in the final tournament. They are listed below, along with their pre-tournament positions in the [[World Rugby Rankings]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings|title=World Rugby|work=worldrugby.org|access-date=22 November 2014|archive-date=11 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511133710/http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings|url-status=dead}}</ref> The list of teams was the same as in the 2003 tournament.

{{col-begin}}
{{col-4}}
;[[Asia Rugby]] {{small|(1)}}
* {{ru|JPN}} {{small|(13)}}
;[[Rugby Africa]] {{small|(2)}}
* {{ru|RSA}} {{small|(3)}}
* {{ru|NAM}} {{small|(20)}}
;[[Sudamérica Rugby]] {{small|(2)}}
* {{ru|ARG}} {{small|(8)}}
* {{ru|URU}} {{small|(19)}}
;[[North America Caribbean Rugby Association|NACRA]] {{small|(2)}}
* {{ru|CAN}} {{small|(18)}}
* {{ru|USA}} {{small|(15)}}
{{col-4}}
;[[Rugby Europe]] {{small|(8)}}
* {{ru|ENG}} {{small|(4)}}
* {{ru|FRA|1974}} {{small|(7)}}
* {{ru|GEO}} {{small|(16)}}
* {{ru|IRE}} {{small|(6)}}
* {{ru|ITA}} {{small|(14)}}
* {{ru|ROU}} {{small|(17)}}
* {{ru|SCO}} {{small|(10)}}
* {{ru|WAL}} {{small|(5)}}
{{col-4}}
;[[Oceania Rugby]] {{small|(5)}}
* {{ru|AUS}} {{small|(2)}}
* {{ru|FIJ}} {{small|(9)}}
* {{ru|NZL}} {{small|(1)}}
* {{ru|SAM}} {{small|(12)}}
* {{ru|TGA}} {{small|(11)}}
{{col-4}}
<!-- This map should not be removed as it is shows the status of qualification by failed or not enter-->
[[File:Rugby World Cup 2015.svg|thumb|400px|{{legend|#2020d0|Country qualified for World Cup}} {{legend|#f0c020|Country did not qualify}} {{legend|#ababab|Country not an IRB member}}]]
{{col-end}}

==Draw==
Seedings for the pools of the 2015 World Cup were based on the teams' respective [[World Rugby|IRB]] [[World Rugby Rankings|Rankings]]. The draw, hosted by [[Will Greenwood]], was conducted on 3 December 2012 in London, and used the World Rankings as of that day, just after the [[2012 end-of-year rugby union internationals]], which finished on 1 December 2012.<ref name=rankings>{{cite web |url=http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings |title=IRB World Rankings at 3 December 2012 |publisher=World Rugby |date=3 December 2012 |access-date=7 April 2015 |archive-date=11 May 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511133710/http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings |url-status=dead }}</ref> The 12 automatic qualifiers from 2011 were allocated to their respective bands based on their rankings:

* '''Band 1''', made up of the top 4 automatic qualifiers, (1–4)
* '''Band 2''', made up of the next 4 automatic qualifiers, (5–8)
* '''Band 3''', made up of the next 4 automatic qualifiers (9–12)

The remaining 8 qualifying places were allocated to Bands 4 and 5, based on previous World Cup playing strength;

* '''Band 4''', made up of Oceania 1, Europe 1, Asia 1 and Americas 1
* '''Band 5''', made up of Africa 1, Europe 2, Americas 2 and play-off winner

This meant the 20 teams, qualified and qualifiers, were seeded thus:

{|
|- style="text-align:left"
! style="width:10em"|Pot 1
! style="width:10em"|Pot 2
! style="width:10em"|Pot 3
! style="width:12em"|Pot 4
! style="width:14em"|Pot 5
|- class="wraplinks" style="vertical-align:top"
|{{plainlist|
*{{ru|NZL|name=New Zealand}} {{small|(1)}}
*{{ru|RSA|name=South Africa}} {{small|(2)}}
*{{ru|AUS}} {{small|(3)}}
*{{ru|FRA|1974}} {{small|(4)}}
}}
|{{plainlist|
*{{ru|ENG}} {{small|(5)}}
*{{ru|IRE}} {{small|(6)}}
*{{ru|SAM}} {{small|(7)}}
*{{ru|ARG}} {{small|(8)}}
}}
|{{plainlist|
*{{ru|WAL}} {{small|(9)}}
*{{ru|ITA}} {{small|(10)}}
*{{ru|TON}} {{small|(11)}}
*{{ru|SCO}} {{small|(12)}}
}}
|{{plainlist|
*{{ru|CAN}} {{small|(Americas 1)}}
*{{ru|JPN}} {{small|(Asia 1)}}
*{{ru|GEO}} {{small|(Europe 1)}}
*{{ru|FIJ}} {{wbr}}{{small|{{nowrap|(Oceania 1)}}}}
}}
|{{plainlist|
*{{ru|NAM}} {{small|(Africa 1)}}
*{{ru|USA|name=United {{wbr}}States}} {{small|{{nowrap|(Americas 2)}}}}
*{{ru|ROM}} {{small|(Europe 2)}}
*{{ru|URU}} {{small|(Repechage)}}
}}
|}

The draw saw a representative randomly draw a ball from a pot, the first drawn ball goes to Pool A, the second Pool B, the third Pool C and the fourth Pool D. The draw began with Pot 5, drawn by All Blacks captain [[Richie McCaw]], followed by Pot 4, drawn by RWC 2015 Ambassador and English women's international [[Maggie Alphonsi]], then Pot 3, drawn by [[Mayor of London]] [[Boris Johnson]], Pot 2, drawn by the then Chief Executive for RWC 2015 [[Debbie Jevans]], and finally Pot 1, drawn by IRB chairman [[Bernard Lapasset]].

===Draw criticism===
The timing of the draw drew criticism due to the long period between the draw occurring and the commencement of the tournament – three years.<ref name="Fox Sports">{{cite web|title=Rugby World Cup Scout: draw changes, Hawk-Eye, concussion|url=http://www.foxsports.com.au/rugby/rugby-world-cup-scout-draw-changes-hawk-eye-concussion/story-e6frf4pu-1227489881779|work=Fox Sports|access-date=10 October 2015}}</ref> Indeed, by the time of the pool match between England and Wales on 26 September, pool A contained the 2nd, 3rd and 4th (Australia, England and Wales) ranked teams in the world.<ref name="World Rugby Archives">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings|title=World Rugby|access-date=26 September 2015|archive-date=11 May 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160511133710/http://www.worldrugby.org/rankings|url-status=dead}}</ref> Following England's elimination at the pool stage after defeats by Australia and Wales, Wales coach [[Warren Gatland]] noted that "Everyone is making a thing about the first home country to hold a World Cup to miss out on the quarter-finals, but the stupid thing, as we all know, is why was the World Cup draw done three years ago? That's just ridiculous as far as I am concerned. If they had followed the football model, then we wouldn't be in this position. There are other people outside this who need to have a look at themselves and why those decisions were made, and you have got to feel sorry for the people involved and who this has affected".<ref name="Garland quote">{{cite web|title=Gatland condemns 'ridiculous' World Cup draw|url=http://www.itv.com/rugbyworldcup/gatland-condemns-ridiculous-world-cup-draw|website=itv|access-date=10 October 2015}}</ref> The chief executive of World Rugby [[Brett Gosper]] subsequently acknowledged criticisms, saying "We'll look at that next time to see if it's possible to make the draw closer to the tournament".<ref name="Guardian quote">{{cite web|last1=Kitson|first1=Robert|title=Rugby World Cup: draw for 2019 set to take place closer to tournament|url=https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2015/aug/18/rugby-world-cup-2019-draw|work=The Guardian|date=18 August 2015 |access-date=10 October 2015}}</ref>

==Squads==
{{Main|2015 Rugby World Cup squads}}

Each country was allowed a squad of 31 players for the tournament. These squads were to be submitted to World Rugby by a deadline of 31 August 2015. Once the squad was submitted, a player could be replaced if injured, but would not be allowed to return to the squad. There was also a stand-down period of 48 hours before the new player was allowed to take the field. Hence, a replacement player called into a squad on the eve of a game would not be permitted to play in that game.<ref>{{cite news |title=The strict 48-hour rule Warren Gatland must abide by if Wales face a World Cup hooking crisis |work=Wales Online |first=Anthony |last=Woolford |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/strict-48-hour-rule-warren-9968431 |publisher=Media Wales |date=1 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011144746/http://www.walesonline.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-news/strict-48-hour-rule-warren-9968431 |archive-date=11 October 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

==Opening ceremony==
The opening ceremony of the 2015 Rugby World Cup took place at [[Twickenham Stadium]] in London on 18 September 2015 at 19:20 ([[British Summer Time|BST]]). The ceremony told the legend of how [[William Webb Ellis]] created the sport of rugby union, and featured the choir of Rugby School singing "[[Swing Low, Sweet Chariot]]", an anthem of rugby union in England. All the participating teams were represented by a former player in the ceremony; the host nation, [[England national rugby union team|England]], was represented by World Cup-winning captain [[Martin Johnson (rugby union)|Martin Johnson]]. The ceremony was directed by [[Kim Gavin]], who was also responsible for directing the closing ceremonies of both the [[2012 Summer Olympics closing ceremony|2012 Summer Olympics]] and the [[2012 Summer Paralympics closing ceremony|2012 Summer Paralympics]]. [[Prince Harry, Duke of Sussex]], who had an acting part previously in the ceremony, declared the tournament officially open, ending his speech with the words, "We're ready. Game on." British Prime Minister [[David Cameron]] said on social media that the 2015 Rugby World Cup would be the best ever.<ref>{{Cite web|date=26 October 2015|title=RWC 2015 opening ceremony: Rugby left waiting for 'self-aware' moment|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/rwc-2015-opening-ceremony-rugby-left-waiting-self-aware-moment-prince-harry-10508609.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220501/https://www.independent.co.uk/sport/rugby/rugby-union/international/rwc-2015-opening-ceremony-rugby-left-waiting-self-aware-moment-prince-harry-10508609.html |archive-date=1 May 2022 |url-access=subscription|access-date=20 July 2021|website=The Independent}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

==Pool stage==
The first round, or pool stage, saw the 20 teams divided into four pools of five teams, using the same format that was used in [[2003 Rugby World Cup|2003]], [[2007 Rugby World Cup|2007]], and [[2011 Rugby World Cup|2011]]. Each pool was a [[round-robin tournament|single round-robin]] of ten games, in which each team played one match against each of the other teams in the same pool. Teams were awarded four points for a win, two points for a draw and none for a defeat. A team scoring four [[Try (rugby)|tries]] in one match scored a bonus point, as did a team that lost by fewer than eight points.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/tournament-rules|title=Tournament rules|work=rugbyworldcup.com|access-date=27 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150928072157/https://www.rugbyworldcup.com/tournament-rules|archive-date=28 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="width:98%"
|-
!width=25%|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A|Pool A]]
!width=25%|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B|Pool B]]
!width=25%|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C|Pool C]]
!width=25%|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D|Pool D]]
|-
|
{{ru|AUS}}<br />
{{ru|ENG}}<br />
{{ru|WAL}}<br />
{{ru|FIJ}}<br />
{{ru|URU}}
|
{{ru|RSA}}<br />
{{ru|SAM}}<br />
{{ru|SCO}}<br />
{{ru|JPN}}<br />
{{ru|USA}}
|
{{ru|NZL}}<br />
{{ru|ARG}}<br />
{{ru|TON}}<br />
{{ru|GEO}}<br />
{{ru|NAM}}
|
{{ru|FRA|1974}}<br />
{{ru|IRE}}<br />
{{ru|ITA}}<br />
{{ru|CAN}}<br />
{{ru|ROM}}
|}

The teams finishing in the top two of each pool would advance to the quarter-finals. The top three teams of each pool received automatic qualification to the [[2019 Rugby World Cup]] (Japan had already automatically qualified as hosts).<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.bbc.com/sport/0/rugby-union/32430465|title=Rugby World Cup 2015: fixtures, results and standings|publisher=BBC Sport|access-date=4 November 2015}}</ref>

;Tie-breaking criteria
If two or more teams were tied on match points, the following tiebreakers would apply:<ref name="2015 Rugby World Cup – Tournament Rules">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/tournament-rules |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141201205525/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/tournament-rules |url-status=dead |archive-date=1 December 2014 |title=Rugby World Cup 2015 Tournament Rules – Article 1.1.3 |date=September 2015 |publisher=World Rugby |access-date=1 September 2015 }}</ref>

# The winner of the match between the two teams;
# Difference between points scored for and points scored against in all pool matches;
# Difference between tries scored for and tries scored against in all pool matches;
# Points scored in all pool matches;
# Most tries scored in all pool matches;
# Official [[World Rugby Rankings]] as of 12 October 2015.

If three teams were tied on points, the above criteria would be used to decide first place in the Pool, and then the criteria would be used again (starting from criteria 1) to decide second place in the Pool.

{{Rugby World Cup pool stage key}}

===Pool A===
[[File:England vs Australia 2015 RWC (2).jpg|thumb|Australia beat England 33–13 at Twickenham Stadium in London.]]
{{Main|2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A}}
{{2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A|hide_results=y}}

{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
!width=15%|
!width=25%|
!width=10%|
!width=25%|
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|18 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|ENG}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#England vs Fiji|35–11]]||{{ru|FIJ}}||[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|20 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|WAL}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#Wales vs Uruguay|54–9]]||{{ru|URU}}||[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|23 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|AUS}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#Australia vs Fiji|28–13]]||{{ru|FIJ}}||[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|26 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|ENG}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#England vs Wales|25–28]]||{{ru|WAL}}||[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|27 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|AUS}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#Australia vs Uruguay|65–3]]||{{ru|URU}}||[[Villa Park]], [[Birmingham]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|1 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|WAL}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#Wales vs Fiji|23–13]]||{{ru|FIJ}}||[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|3 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|ENG}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#England vs Australia|13–33]]||{{ru|AUS}}||[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|6 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|FIJ}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#Fiji vs Uruguay|47–15]]||{{ru|URU}}||[[Stadium mk]], [[Milton Keynes]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|10 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|AUS}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#Australia vs Wales|15–6]]||{{ru|WAL}}||[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|10 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|ENG}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool A#England vs Uruguay|60–3]]||{{ru|URU}}||[[City of Manchester Stadium]], [[Manchester]]
|}

===Pool B===
[[File:South Africa vs USA 2015 RWC (4).jpg|thumb|South Africa beat the USA 64–0 at the Olympic Stadium in London.]]
{{Main|2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B}}
{{2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B|hide_results=y}}

{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
!width=15%|
!width=25%|
!width=10%|
!width=25%|
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|19 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|RSA}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#South Africa vs Japan|32–34]]||{{ru|JPN}}||[[Falmer Stadium|Brighton Community Stadium]], [[Brighton]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|20 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|SAM}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Samoa vs United States|25–16]]||{{ru|USA}}||[[Falmer Stadium|Brighton Community Stadium]], [[Brighton]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|23 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|SCO}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Scotland vs Japan|45–10]]||{{ru|JPN}}||[[Kingsholm Stadium|Kingsholm]], [[Gloucester]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|26 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|RSA}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#South Africa vs Samoa|46–6]]||{{ru|SAM}}||[[Villa Park]], [[Birmingham]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|27 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|SCO}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Scotland vs United States|39–16]]||{{ru|USA}}||[[Elland Road]], [[Leeds]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|3 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|SAM}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Samoa vs Japan|5–26]]||{{ru|JPN}}||[[Stadium mk]], [[Milton Keynes]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|3 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|RSA}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#South Africa vs Scotland|34–16]]||{{ru|SCO}}||[[St. James' Park]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|7 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|RSA}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#South Africa vs United States|64–0]]||{{ru|USA}}||[[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|10 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|SAM}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#Samoa vs Scotland|33–36]]||{{ru|SCO}}||[[St. James' Park]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|11 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|USA}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool B#United States vs Japan|18–28]]||{{ru|JPN}}||[[Kingsholm Stadium|Kingsholm]], [[Gloucester]]
|}

===Pool C===
[[File:15-09 RWC New Zealand vs Argentina 036 (21580002625).jpg|thumb|New Zealand beat Argentina 26–16 at Wembley Stadium in London.]]
{{Main|2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C}}
{{2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C|hide_results=y}}

{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
!width=15%|
!width=25%|
!width=10%|
!width=25%|
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|19 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|TON}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Tonga vs Georgia|10–17]]||{{ru|GEO}}||[[Kingsholm Stadium|Kingsholm]], [[Gloucester]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|20 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|NZL}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#New Zealand vs Argentina|26–16]]||{{ru|ARG}}||[[Wembley Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|24 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|NZL}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#New Zealand vs Namibia|58–14]]||{{ru|NAM}}||[[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|25 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|ARG}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Argentina vs Georgia|54–9]]||{{ru|GEO}}||[[Kingsholm Stadium|Kingsholm]], [[Gloucester]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|29 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|TON}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Tonga vs Namibia|35–21]]||{{ru|NAM}}||[[Sandy Park]], [[Exeter]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|2 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|NZL}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#New Zealand vs Georgia|43–10]]||{{ru|GEO}}||[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|4 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|ARG}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Argentina vs Tonga|45–16]]||{{ru|TON}}||[[Leicester City Stadium]], [[Leicester]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|7 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|NAM}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Namibia vs Georgia|16–17]]||{{ru|GEO}}||[[Sandy Park]], [[Exeter]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|9 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|NZL}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#New Zealand vs Tonga|47–9]]||{{ru|TON}}||[[St. James' Park]], [[Newcastle upon Tyne|Newcastle]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|11 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|ARG}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool C#Argentina vs Namibia|64–19]]||{{ru|NAM}}||[[Leicester City Stadium]], [[Leicester]]
|}

===Pool D===
[[File:Ireland vs Canada 2015 RWC (3).jpg|thumb|Ireland beat Canada 50–7 at the Millennium Stadium in Cardiff.]]
{{Main|2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D}}
{{2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D|hide_results=y}}

{| style="width:100%" cellspacing="1"
|-
!width=15%|
!width=25%|
!width=10%|
!width=25%|
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|19 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|IRE}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Ireland vs Canada|50–7]]||{{ru|CAN}}||[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|19 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#France vs Italy|32–10]]||{{ru|ITA}}||[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|23 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#France vs Romania|38–11]]||{{ru|ROM}}||[[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|26 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|ITA}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Italy vs Canada|23–18]]||{{ru|CAN}}||[[Elland Road]], [[Leeds]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|27 September 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|IRE}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Ireland vs Romania|44–10]]||{{ru|ROM}}||[[Wembley Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|1 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#France vs Canada|41–18]]||{{ru|CAN}}||[[Stadium mk]], [[Milton Keynes]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|4 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|IRE}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Ireland vs Italy|16–9]]||{{ru|ITA}}||[[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]], London
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|6 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|CAN}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Canada vs Romania|15–17]]||{{ru|ROM}}||[[Leicester City Stadium]], [[Leicester]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|11 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|ITA}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#Italy vs Romania|32–22]]||{{ru|ROM}}||[[Sandy Park]], [[Exeter]]
|- style=font-size:90%
|align=right|11 October 2015||align=right|{{ru-rt|FRA|1974}}||align=center|[[2015 Rugby World Cup Pool D#France vs Ireland|9–24]]||{{ru|IRE}}||[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|}

==Knockout stage==
{{Main|2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stage}}

{{Round8|3rdplace=yes
<!-- Date-Place|Team 1|Score 1|Team 2|Score 2 -->
<!-- quarter-finals -->
|{{nowrap|17 October – [[Twickenham Stadium|London (Twickenham)]]}}|'''{{ru|RSA}}'''|'''23'''|{{ru|WAL}}|19
|17 October – [[Millennium Stadium|Cardiff]]|'''{{ru|NZL}}'''|'''62'''|{{ru|FRA|1974}}|13
|18 October – [[Millennium Stadium|Cardiff]]|{{ru|IRE}}|20|'''{{ru|ARG}}'''|'''43'''
|{{nowrap|18 October – [[Twickenham Stadium|London (Twickenham)]]}}|'''{{ru|AUS}}'''|'''35'''|{{ru|SCO}}|34
<!-- semi-finals -->
|{{nowrap|24 October – [[Twickenham Stadium|London (Twickenham)]]}}|{{ru|RSA}}|18 |'''{{ru|NZL}}'''|'''20'''
|{{nowrap|25 October – [[Twickenham Stadium|London (Twickenham)]]}}|{{ru|ARG}}|15|'''{{ru|AUS}}'''|'''29'''
<!-- final -->
|{{nowrap|31 October – [[Twickenham Stadium|London (Twickenham)]]}}|'''{{ru|NZL}}'''|'''34'''|{{ru|AUS}}|17
<!-- bronze final -->
|30 October – [[Olympic Stadium (London)|London (Olympic)]]|'''{{ru|RSA}}'''|'''24'''|{{ru|ARG}}|13}}

===Quarter-finals===
{{rugbybox
|date=17 October 2015
|time=16:00 [[British Summer Time|BST]] ([[UTC+01]])
|home={{ru-rt|RSA}}
|score=[[2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stage#South Africa vs Wales|23–19]]
|report=[http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/114091 Report]
|away={{ru|WAL}}
|try1=[[Fourie du Preez|Du Preez]] 75' m
|pen1=[[Handré Pollard|Pollard]] (5/7) 9', 13', 17', 21', 62'
|drop1=[[Handré Pollard|Pollard]] 52'
|try2=[[Gareth Davies (rugby union, born 1990)|G. Davies]] 18' c
|con2=[[Dan Biggar|Biggar]] (1/1) 19'
|pen2=[[Dan Biggar|Biggar]] (3/4) 15', 47', 64'
|drop2=[[Dan Biggar|Biggar]] 40'
|stadium=[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|attendance=79,572
|referee=[[Wayne Barnes]] ([[Rugby Football Union|England]])
}}
----
{{rugbybox
|date=17 October 2015
|time=20:00 [[British Summer Time|BST]] ([[UTC+01]])
|home={{ru-rt|NZL}}
|score=[[2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stage#New Zealand vs France|62–13]]
|report=[http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/114429 Report]
|away={{ru|FRA|1974}}
|try1=[[Brodie Retallick|Retallick]] 11' c<br />[[Nehe Milner-Skudder|Milner-Skudder]] 23' c<br />[[Julian Savea|Savea]] (3) 29' c, 38' m, 59' c<br />[[Jerome Kaino|Kaino]] 50' m<br />[[Kieran Read|Read]] 64' c<br />[[Tawera Kerr-Barlow|Kerr-Barlow]] (2) 68' c, 71' c
|con1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (7/9) 12', 25', 31', 60', 65', 68', 72'
|pen1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (1/1) 7'
|try2=[[Louis Picamoles|Picamoles]] 36' c
|con2=[[Morgan Parra|Parra]] (1/1) 37'
|pen2=[[Scott Spedding|Spedding]] (1/1) 9'<br />[[Morgan Parra|Parra]] (1/2) 15'
|stadium=[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|attendance=71,619
|referee=[[Nigel Owens]] ([[Welsh Rugby Union|Wales]])
}}
----
{{rugbybox
|date=18 October 2015
|time=13:00 [[British Summer Time|BST]] ([[UTC+01]])
|home={{ru-rt|IRE}}
|score=[[2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stage#Ireland vs Argentina|20–43]]
|report=[http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/114752 Report]
|away={{ru|ARG}}
|try1=[[Luke Fitzgerald|Fitzgerald]] 26' c<br />[[Jordi Murphy|Murphy]] 44' c
|con1=[[Ian Madigan|Madigan]] (2/2) 27', 45'
|pen1=[[Ian Madigan|Madigan]] (2/4) 20', 53'
|try2=[[Matías Moroni|Moroni]] 3' c<br />[[Juan Imhoff|Imhoff]] (2) 10' c, 73' c<br />[[Joaquín Tuculet|Tuculet]] 69' c
|con2=[[Nicolás Sánchez (rugby union)|Sánchez]] (4/4) 5', 10', 70', 74'
|pen2=[[Nicolás Sánchez (rugby union)|Sánchez]] (5/6) 13', 22', 51', 64', 77'
|stadium=[[Millennium Stadium]], [[Cardiff]]
|attendance=72,316
|referee=[[Jérôme Garcès]] ([[French Rugby Federation|France]])
}}
----
{{rugbybox
|date=18 October 2015
|time=16:00 [[British Summer Time|BST]] ([[UTC+01]])
|home={{ru-rt|AUS}}
|score=[[2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stage#Australia vs Scotland|35–34]]
|report=[http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/115493 Report]
|away={{ru|SCO}}
|try1=[[Adam Ashley-Cooper|Ashley-Cooper]] 9' m<br />[[Drew Mitchell|Mitchell]] (2) 30' m, 43' c<br />[[Michael Hooper (rugby union)|Hooper]] 40' m<br />[[Tevita Kuridrani|Kuridrani]] 64' c
|con1=[[Bernard Foley|Foley]] (2/5) 44', 65'
|pen1=[[Bernard Foley|Foley]] (2/2) 54', 80'
|try2=[[Peter Horne|Horne]] 18' c<br />[[Tommy Seymour|Seymour]] 59' m<br />[[Mark Bennett (rugby union, born 1993)|Bennett]] 74' c
|con2=[[Greig Laidlaw|Laidlaw]] (2/3) 19', 75'
|pen2=[[Greig Laidlaw|Laidlaw]] (5/5) 14', 21', 34', 47', 69'
|stadium=[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|attendance=77,110
|referee=[[Craig Joubert]] ([[South African Rugby Union|South Africa]])
}}

===Semi-finals===
{{rugbybox
|date=24 October 2015
|time=16:00 [[British Summer Time|BST]] ([[UTC+01]])
|home={{ru-rt|RSA}}
|score=[[2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stage#South Africa vs New Zealand|18–20]]
|report=[http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/117722 Report]
|away={{ru|NZL}}
|pen1=[[Handré Pollard|Pollard]] (5/5) 3', 11', 21', 39', 58'<br />[[Pat Lambie|Lambie]] (1/1) 69'
|try2=[[Jerome Kaino|Kaino]] 6' c<br />[[Beauden Barrett|Barrett]] 52' c
|con2=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (2/2) 9', 53'
|pen2=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (1/2) 60'
|drop2=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] 46'
|stadium=[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|attendance=80,090
|referee=[[Jérôme Garcès]] ([[French Rugby Federation|France]])
}}
----
{{rugbybox
|date=25 October 2015
|time=16:00 [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] ([[UTC+00]])
|home={{ru-rt|ARG}}
|score=[[2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stage#Argentina vs Australia|15–29]]
|report=[http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/118584 Report]
|away={{ru|AUS}}
|pen1=[[Nicolás Sánchez (rugby union)|Sánchez]] (5/5) 7', 24', 36', 45', 55'
|try2=[[Rob Simmons (rugby union)|Simmons]] 2' c<br />[[Adam Ashley-Cooper|Ashley-Cooper]] (3) 10' c, 32' m, 72' c
|con2=[[Bernard Foley|Foley]] (3/4) 3', 11', 73'
|pen2=[[Bernard Foley|Foley]] (1/2) 48'
|stadium=[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|attendance=80,025
|referee=[[Wayne Barnes]] ([[Rugby Football Union|England]])
}}

===Bronze final===
{{rugbybox
|date=30 October 2015
|time=20:00 [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] ([[UTC+00]])
|home={{ru-rt|RSA}}
|score=[[2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stage#Bronze Final: South Africa vs Argentina|24–13]]
|report=[http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/120457 Report]
|away={{ru|ARG}}
|try1=[[JP Pietersen|Pietersen]] 6' c<br />[[Eben Etzebeth|Etzebeth]] 43' m
|con1=[[Handré Pollard|Pollard]] (1/2) 7'
|pen1=[[Handré Pollard|Pollard]] (4/5) 14', 33', 40', 48'
|try2=[[Juan Pablo Orlandi|Orlandi]] 80' c
|con2=[[Nicolás Sánchez (rugby union)|Sánchez]] (1/1) 80'
|pen2=[[Nicolás Sánchez (rugby union)|Sánchez]] (1/1) 52'
|drop2=[[Nicolás Sánchez (rugby union)|Sánchez]] 42'
|stadium=[[Olympic Stadium (London)|Olympic Stadium]], London
|attendance=55,925
|referee=[[John Lacey (rugby union)|John Lacey]] ([[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]])
}}

===Final===
{{Main|2015 Rugby World Cup final}}
{{rugbybox
|date=31 October 2015
|time=16:00 [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]] ([[UTC+00]])
|home={{ru-rt|NZL}}
|score=[[2015 Rugby World Cup knockout stage#Final: New Zealand vs Australia|34–17]]
|report=[http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/121138 Report]
|away={{ru|AUS}}
|try1=[[Nehe Milner-Skudder|Milner-Skudder]] 39' c<br />[[Ma'a Nonu|Nonu]] 42' m<br />[[Beauden Barrett|Barrett]] 79' c
|con1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (2/3) 40', 80'
|pen1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] (4/4) 8', 27', 36', 75'
|drop1=[[Dan Carter|Carter]] 70'
|try2=[[David Pocock|Pocock]] 53' c<br />[[Tevita Kuridrani|Kuridrani]] 64' c
|con2=[[Bernard Foley|Foley]] (2/2) 54', 65'
|pen2=[[Bernard Foley|Foley]] (1/1) 14'
|stadium=[[Twickenham Stadium]], London
|attendance=80,125
|referee=[[Nigel Owens]] ([[Welsh Rugby Union|Wales]])
}}

==Awards==
At the 2015 [[World Rugby Awards]], Japan's game-winning final try against South Africa was named the best match moment of the tournament.<ref>{{cite web |title=World Rugby Awards Past Winners |url=https://www.world.rugby/awards/past-winners |publisher=World Rugby |date=9 November 2014 |access-date=11 July 2019 |archive-date=18 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181118045954/https://www.world.rugby/awards/past-winners |url-status=dead }}</ref> A dream team was named made up of the best performing players of the tournament.<ref>[http://dreamteam.rugbyworldcup.com/ Société Générale Rugby World Cup 2015 dream team] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160522210120/http://dreamteam.rugbyworldcup.com/ |date=22 May 2016 }}</ref>

'''2015 Rugby World Cup dream team'''<ref>{{cite tweet |user=RugbyFifteen |number=660960457759571969 |date=1 November 2015 |title=@SocieteGenerale #RWC2015 Dream Team #WorldRugbyAwards |access-date=11 July 2019 }}</ref>
{{col-begin}}
{{col-break}}
{| cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
!width="30"|Pos.
!width="30"|
!width="210"|Player
|-
|FB ||'''15'''||{{flagicon|JPN}} [[Ayumu Goromaru]]
|-
|RW ||'''14'''||{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Nehe Milner-Skudder]]
|-
|OC ||'''13'''||{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Conrad Smith]]
|-
|IC ||'''12'''||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Matt Giteau]]
|-
|LW ||'''11'''||{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Julian Savea]]
|-
|FH ||'''10'''||{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Dan Carter]]
|-
|SH ||'''9''' ||{{flagicon|SCO}} [[Greig Laidlaw]]
|-
|}
{{col-break|gap=1em}}
{| style="font-size:100%" cellspacing="0" cellpadding="0"
|-
!width="30"|Pos.
!width="30"|
!width="210"|Player
|-
|N8 ||'''8''' ||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[David Pocock]]
|-
|OF ||'''7''' ||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Schalk Burger]]
|-
|BF ||'''6''' ||{{flagicon|GEO}} [[Mamuka Gorgodze]]
|-
|RL ||'''5''' ||{{flagicon|FIJ}} [[Leone Nakarawa]]
|-
|LL ||'''4''' ||{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Eben Etzebeth]]
|-
|TP ||'''3''' ||{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Ramiro Herrera]]
|-
|HK ||'''2''' ||{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Stephen Moore (rugby union)|Stephen Moore]]
|-
|LP ||'''1''' ||{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Marcos Ayerza]]
|}
{{col-end}}

==Statistics==
{{Main|2015 Rugby World Cup statistics}}

{| class="wikitable sortable" style="text-align:center;float:right"
|-
|+ Most points 
|-
! style="width:7em"|Player
! style="width:7em"|Team
! style="width:2em"|Points
|-
|align=left|[[Nicolás Sánchez (rugby union)|Nicolás Sánchez]]
|align=left|{{ru|ARG}}
|97
|-
|align=left|[[Handré Pollard]]
|align=left|{{ru|RSA}}
|93
|-
|align=left|[[Bernard Foley]]
|align=left|{{ru|AUS}}
|82
|-
|align=left|[[Dan Carter]]
|align=left|{{ru|NZL}}
|82
|-
|align=left|[[Greig Laidlaw]]
|align=left|{{ru|SCO}}
|79
|}

The tournament's top point scorer was Argentine fly-half [[Nicolás Sánchez (rugby union)|Nicolás Sánchez]], who scored 97 points.<ref>{{cite news|title=Sánchez is World Cup Top Points Scorer|url=http://www.americasrugbynews.com/2015/11/01/sanchez-is-world-cup-top-points-scorer/|access-date=1 November 2015|publisher=Americas Rugby|date=1 November 2015}}</ref> 
New Zealand wing [[Julian Savea]] scored the most tries, eight, equalling the record for one tournament set by his compatriot [[Jonah Lomu]] and South African [[Bryan Habana]].<ref>{{cite news|last=Cueto|first=Mark|author-link=Mark Cueto|title=Bryan Habana and Julian Savea can light up epic Rugby World Cup semifinal|url=http://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/13949147/mark-cueto-bryan-habana-julian-savea-light-epic-semifinal|access-date=1 November 2015|publisher=ESPN|date=23 October 2015}}</ref>

==Match officials==
World Rugby named the following twelve referees, seven assistant referees and four television match officials to handle the pool stage games:<ref name="Officials">{{cite web|url=http://www.worldrugby.org/news/65914|date=7 April 2015|access-date=7 April 2015|publisher=World Rugby|title=Match officials announced for Rugby World Cup 2015}}</ref>

{{col-begin}}
{{col-2}}
;Referees
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[Wayne Barnes]] <small>([[Rugby Football Union|England]])</small>
*{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[George Clancy (rugby union)|George Clancy]] <small>([[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]])</small>
*{{flagicon|ENG}} [[JP Doyle]] <small>([[Rugby Football Union|England]])</small>
*{{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Jérôme Garcès]] <small>([[French Rugby Federation|France]])</small>
*{{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Pascal Gaüzère]] <small>([[French Rugby Federation|France]])</small>
*{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Glen Jackson (rugby union)|Glen Jackson]] <small>([[New Zealand Rugby Union|New Zealand]])</small>
*{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Craig Joubert]] <small>([[South African Rugby Union|South Africa]])</small>
*{{flagicon|IRE|rugby union}} [[John Lacey (rugby union)|John Lacey]] <small>([[Irish Rugby Football Union|Ireland]])</small>
*{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Nigel Owens]] <small>([[Welsh Rugby Union|Wales]])</small>
*{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Jaco Peyper]] <small>([[South African Rugby Union|South Africa]])</small>
*{{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Romain Poite]] <small>([[French Rugby Federation|France]])</small>
*{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Chris Pollock]] <small>([[New Zealand Rugby Union|New Zealand]])</small>

{{col-2}}
;Assistant referees
*{{flagicon|ARG}} [[Federico Anselmi]] <small>([[Argentine Rugby Union|Argentina]])</small>
*{{flagicon|RSA}} [[Stuart Berry]] <small>([[South African Rugby Union|South Africa]])</small>
*{{flagicon|NZL}} [[Mike Fraser (rugby referee)|Mike Fraser]] <small>([[New Zealand Rugby Union|New Zealand]])</small>
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[Angus Gardner]] <small>([[Australian Rugby Union|Australia]])</small>
*{{flagicon|WAL}} [[Leighton Hodges]] <small>([[Welsh Rugby Union|Wales]])</small>
*{{flagicon|ITA}} [[Marius Mitrea]] <small>([[Italian Rugby Federation|Italy]])</small>
*{{flagicon|FRA|1974}} [[Mathieu Raynal]] <small>([[French Rugby Federation|France]])</small>

;Television match officials
*{{flagicon|AUS}} [[George Ayoub]] <small>([[Australian Rugby Union|Australia]])</small>
*{{flagicon|ENG}} Graham Hughes <small>([[Rugby Football Union|England]])</small>
*{{flagicon|NZL}} Ben Skeen <small>([[New Zealand Rugby Union|New Zealand]])</small>
*{{flagicon|RSA}} Shaun Veldsman <small>([[South African Rugby Union|South Africa]])</small>
{{Col-end}}

==Media coverage==
[[ITV Sport]] was the UK and worldwide host broadcaster for the 2015 event, having signed a deal in 2011 to broadcast the 2011 and 2015 RWC tournaments. ITV won the rights after outbidding rivals including the [[BBC]] and [[Sky Sports]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/7914793/ITV-secures-television-rights-to-2011-and-2015-Rugby-Union-World-Cups.html |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/20220112/https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/rugbyunion/7914793/ITV-secures-television-rights-to-2011-and-2015-Rugby-Union-World-Cups.html |archive-date=12 January 2022 |url-access=subscription |url-status=live |title=ITV secures television rights to 2011 and 2015 Rugby Union World Cups |date=28 July 2010 |newspaper=The Daily Telegraph|access-date=4 December 2012 |location=London |first=Gavin |last=Mairs}}{{cbignore}}</ref> It showed every match from the tournament live in the UK on ITV or ITV4.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/code-sports-events/approved/rugby-15-statement |title=Rugby World Cup 2015 {{!}} Statement |publisher=Ofcom |date=3 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151101115211/http://stakeholders.ofcom.org.uk/broadcasting/broadcast-codes/code-sports-events/approved/rugby-15-statement |archive-date=1 November 2015 |url-status=live}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
|-
!width=15%|Country or region
!width=21%|Broadcaster
!width=64%|Broadcasting
|-
|Africa<sup>1</sup>
|[[SuperSport (South African broadcaster)|SuperSport]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="totalsportek.com" />
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|rowspan=2|Argentina
|[[ESPN Latin America|ESPN Extra]]
|All 48 matches broadcast live.
|-
|[[TV Pública Digital (Argentina)|TV Pública]]
|All Argentina matches, plus opening, semi-final and final matches.
|-
|rowspan=2|Australia
|[[Fox Sports (Australia)|Fox Sports]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="totalsportek.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.totalsportek.com/rugby/tv-channels-broadcasting-2015-rugby-world-cup/|title=List of TV Channels Broadcasting 2015 Rugby World Cup Live|work=Total Sportek|date=21 September 2019|access-date=21 February 2015|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703072912/http://www.totalsportek.com/rugby/tv-channels-broadcasting-2015-rugby-world-cup/|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|All 48 matches broadcast live<ref name="Rugby World Cup 2015 Live TV">{{cite web|url=http://rugbyworldcuptv.com/|title=Rugby World Cup 2015 Live TV|date=8 April 2015|access-date=17 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917193557/http://www.rugbyworldcuptv.com/|archive-date=17 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
|[[Nine Network]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="totalsportek.com" />
|All Australian matches, some other pool games and all knockout games free-to-air live
|-
|Azerbaijan<br />Turkey
|[[Tivibu Spor]]
|45 matches live (excluding Tonga v Georgia, Wales v Fiji and France v Canada at the pool stage)
|-
|Brazil
|[[ESPN Brasil]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="SouthAmerica"/>
|All 48 matches broadcast live 
|-
|rowspan=2|Canada
|[[The Sports Network|TSN]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="TSN/RDS">{{cite web|url=http://www2.tsn.ca/story/?id=372115|title=World Cup of Rugby Coming to TSN in 2011 and 2015|website=The Sports Network|access-date=27 April 2015|archive-date=3 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703213620/http://www2.tsn.ca/story/?id=372115|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|All 48 matches live on either TSN, TSN2 or TSN.ca
|-
|[[Réseau des sports|RDS]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="TSN/RDS" />
|Rights to a select number of matches in French
|-
|Caribbean<br />Central America<sup>2</sup><br />Mexico<br />South America<sup>3</sup>
|[[ESPN Latin America|ESPN]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="SouthAmerica">{{cite web|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/65936|title=ESPN Latin America and ESPN Brazil join RWC broadcast family|website=Rugby World Cup|date=8 April 2015}}</ref>
|At least 16 matches (all Argentina and Uruguay matches, plus all knockout stage matches).
|-
|China
|[[CCTV]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="SouthAmerica"/>
|All 48 matches broadcast live 
|-
|Czech Republic<br />Slovakia
|Pragosport/[[Czech Television]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|rowspan=2|Fiji
|[[Fiji Television|Fiji TV]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="Fiji RWC TV">{{Cite web|title=7s Series, RWC on Fiji TV, FBC|url=http://fijilive.com/sports/rugby/news/2015/02/7s-series-rwc-on-fiji-tv-fbc/36265.Fijilive|url-status=dead|website=Fiji Live|date=3 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150703070918/http://fijilive.com/sports/rugby/news/2015/02/7s-series-rwc-on-fiji-tv-fbc/36265.Fijilive|archive-date=3 July 2015}}</ref>
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|[[FBC TV]]<ref name="Fiji RWC TV"/>
|All 48 matches broadcast live free to air
|-
|rowspan=2|France and [[French Overseas Territories]]
|[[TF1]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="French broadcasters">{{Cite web|title=TF1 and Canal+ to share World Cup Rugby|url=http://www.digitaltveurope.net/307222/tf1-and-canal-to-share-world-cup-rugby/|url-status=dead|website=Digital TV Europe|date=20 January 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150831065246/http://www.digitaltveurope.net/307222/tf1-and-canal-to-share-world-cup-rugby/|archive-date=31 August 2015}}</ref>
|21 matches, including all France matches, selected pool stage matches, all knockout stage matches
|-
|[[Canal+ (French TV channel)|Canal+]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="French broadcasters" />
|27 matches that will not be broadcast by TF1
|-
|Georgia
|[[First Channel (Georgian TV channel)|1TV]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?">{{Cite web|title=Where to watch?|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/watch|website=Rugby World Cup|access-date=13 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150612211220/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/watch|archive-date=12 June 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|All 48 matches broadcast live<ref name="Rugby World Cup 2015 Live TV"/>
|-
|Hungary
|[[Digi Sport (Hungary)|Digi Sport]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|More than 40 matches broadcast live
|-
|India
|[[Sony SIX]]
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|Ireland
|[[TV3 (Ireland)|TV3]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="TV3">{{Cite web|title=TV3 confirms All 48 Rugby World Cup games|url=http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.813&article=160069|website=TV3 Ireland|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150402120420/http://www.tv3.ie/entertainment_article.php?locID=1.803.813&article=160069|archive-date=2 April 2015}}</ref><br/>[[3e]]
|All 48 matches broadcast live. TV3 began broadcasting in [[HDTV|HD]] just before the competition.
|-
|Israel
|[[Sport1 (Israel)|Sport1]]
|TBA
|-
|Italy
|[[Sky Sport (Italy)|Sky Sport]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/><ref name="SKY Italia">{{Cite web|title=Sky Italia joins global RWC 2015 rights|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/57365|url-status=dead|website=Rugby World Cup|date=17 February 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150224052259/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/57365|archive-date=24 February 2015}}</ref>
|All 48 matches broadcast live, and delay at 11&nbsp;p.m. of Italy matches, a quarter-final, a semi-final and the final on [[TV8 (Italy)|TV8]]
|-
|rowspan=3|Japan
|[[J Sports]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|[[Nippon TV]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|Japanese commentary of all Japanese pool-stage matches, 2 quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the bronze final and the final
|-
|[[NHK]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|Free to air coverage of 16 matches, including all Japanese matches, the opening match, 2 quarter-finals, both semi-finals, the bronze final and the final
|-
|Latvia
|[[Best 4 Sport TV]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|All 48 matches live or on delay and repeat
|-
|Netherlands
|[[RTL 7]]<ref>{{Cite press release|title=Zes weken lang scrums, rucks en mauls tijdens WK Rugby bij RTL 7|url=https://pressroom.rtl.nl/rtl7/persberichten/persbericht/zes-weken-lang-scrums-rucks-en-mauls-tijdens-wk-rugby-bij-rtl-7|url-status=dead|website=RTL 7|publisher=RTL|date=29 June 2015|access-date=17 July 2015 |archive-date=21 July 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150721182656/https://pressroom.rtl.nl/rtl7/persberichten/persbericht/zes-weken-lang-scrums-rucks-en-mauls-tijdens-wk-rugby-bij-rtl-7}}</ref>
|Total of 24 matches live
|-
|rowspan=2|New Zealand
|[[Sky Sport (New Zealand)|Sky Sport]]
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|[[Prime Television]]
|Live: opening match, 2 quarter-finals, 1 semi-final, bronze final, final; delayed: New Zealand pool matches, other quarter-finals, other semi-final.
|-
|Poland
|[[Polsat Sport]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Iwańczyk: Ziemia w kształcie jaja, czyli za 300 dni Puchar Świata|url=http://www.polsatsport.pl/Wiadomosc/iw/Iwanczyk-Ziemia-W-Ksztalcie-Jaja-Czyli-Za-300-Dni-Puchar-Swiata-W-Rugby/index.html|url-status=dead|website=Polsat Sport|publisher=[[Polsat]]|date=2 August 2015|language=pl|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925095154/http://www.polsatsport.pl/Wiadomosc/iw/Iwanczyk-Ziemia-W-Ksztalcie-Jaja-Czyli-Za-300-Dni-Puchar-Swiata-W-Rugby/index.html|archive-date=25 September 2015}}</ref>
|All 48 matches broadcast live or on delay
|-
|Portugal
|[[Sport TV]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|Romania
|[[Digi Sport (Romania)|Digi Sport]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Digi Sport prepares to bring Rugby World Cup coverage to Romania|url=http://svgeurope.org/blog/headlines/digi-sport-prepares-to-bring-rwc-coverage-to-romania/|url-status=dead|website=SVG Europe|date=6 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150829231547/http://svgeurope.org/blog/headlines/digi-sport-prepares-to-bring-rwc-coverage-to-romania/|archive-date=29 August 2015}}</ref>
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|Russia
|[[Peretz (TV channel, Russia)|Peretz]]<ref>{{Cite web|script-title=ru:Кубок мира по регби 2015 Перце|url=http://peretz.ru/novosti/chempionat_mira_po_regbi_2015_na_pertse/|url-status=dead|website=Peretz TV|publisher=Peretz|date=27 August 2015|language=ru|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911181134/http://www.peretz.ru/novosti/chempionat_mira_po_regbi_2015_na_pertse/|archive-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>
|More than 30 matches broadcast delay on TV and live on internet
|-
|Samoa
|[[Sky Pacific]] (Fiji TV)<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|South Asia
|[[Sony SIX]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=RWC 2015 set to reach record audiences in India|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/89546|url-status=dead|website=Rugby World Cup|date=9 November 2024|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150907173511/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/89546|archive-date=7 September 2015}}</ref><ref name="televisionpost.com">{{Cite web|title=Sony Six acquires Rugby World Cup 2015 rights for India|url=http://www.televisionpost.com/television/sony-six-acquires-rugby-world-cup-2015-rights-for-india/|url-status=dead|website=Television Post|access-date=18 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151011061102/http://www.televisionpost.com/television/sony-six-acquires-rugby-world-cup-2015-rights-for-india/|archive-date=11 October 2015}}</ref>
|All 48 matches broadcast live with sister channel [[Sony Kix]].<ref name="televisionpost.com"/>
|-
|Sri Lanka
|[[Channel Eye]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Rugby World Cup 2015 {{!}} Schedule|url=http://www.rupavahini.lk/rupavahini-ports/rugby-world-cup-2015-telecast-schedule.html|url-status=dead|website=Rupavahini|date=12 September 2015|access-date=13 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150911004302/http://www.rupavahini.lk/rupavahini-ports/rugby-world-cup-2015-telecast-schedule.html|archive-date=11 September 2015}}</ref>
|All 48 matches live or on delay and repeat (Free to air)
|-
|South Africa
|[[South African Broadcasting Corporation|SABC]]<ref>{{cite web|title=SABC outlines RWC offering|url=http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SABC-outlines-RWC-offering-20150814|url-status=dead|website=Sport24.za|date=14 August 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150925125356/http://www.sport24.co.za/Rugby/SABC-outlines-RWC-offering-20150814|archive-date=25 September 2015}}</ref><br/>[[SuperSport (South African broadcaster)|SuperSport]]<ref>{{Cite web|title=Action Attractions|url=http://www.supersport.com/aa.aspx?t=sport&v=Rugby&view=full|url-status=dead|website=Super Sport|access-date=14 September 2017|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150106060729/http://www.supersport.com/aa.aspx?t=sport&v=Rugby&view=full|archive-date=6 January 2015}}</ref>
|29 live matches, including all South African matches, and 7 delayed matches<br/>All 48 matches broadcast live with repeats and highlights
|-
|Spain
|[[Canal+ Deportes]] ([[Movistar+]])<ref>{{cite web|title=Portada {{!}} Rugby|url=http://www.canalplus.es/rugby|website=Canal+|date=20 June 2015|language=es}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|first=Aranyak|last=Ghosh|title=Rugby World Cup 2015 Broadcasting Details|url=http://www.irugbyworldcup2015live.com/2015/07/rugby-world-cup-2015-live-streaming-live-tv-broadcasting.html|url-status=dead|website=Rugby World Cup|date=15 July 2015|access-date=14 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150722232626/http://www.irugbyworldcup2015live.com/2015/07/rugby-world-cup-2015-live-streaming-live-tv-broadcasting.html|archive-date=22 July 2015}}</ref>
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|Tonga
|Sky Pacific (Fiji TV)<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|rowspan=3|United Kingdom
|[[ITV (TV network)|ITV Network]]<ref name="totalsportek.com" />
|All 48 matches live on either [[ITV (TV channel)|ITV]], [[STV (TV channel)|STV]] (Scotland), [[UTV (TV channel)|UTV]] (Northern Ireland) or [[ITV4]]
|-
|[[BBC Radio]]<ref name=RWC1>{{Cite web|title=BBC awarded UK radio rights for Rugby World Cup 2015|url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/68246|url-status=dead|website=Rugby World Cup|date=1 May 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150503052435/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/news/68246|archive-date=3 May 2015}}</ref>
|Live radio commentary for all 48 games.<br>[[Radio Cymru]] broadcast live commentary of all Wales games in [[Welsh language|Welsh]]<ref>{{Cite news|title=BBC Wales secures live radio rights|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/32548932|website=BBC Sport|location=Wales|publisher=BBC|date=1 May 2015|access-date=17 November 2024}}</ref>
|-
|[[S4C]]<ref>{{Cite web|first=Martin|last=Shipton|title=S4C to show the 2015 Rugby World Cup|url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/news/wales-news/s4c-wins-right-broadcast-rugby-8839143|website=Wales Online|date=13 March 2015}}</ref>
|All Wales matches live in [[Welsh language|Welsh]], the opening match, one quarter-final and one semi-final, the bronze final and the final
|-
|United States
|[[Universal Sports]]<br />[[NBC]]<ref name=rugbytoday>{{Cite web|title=NBC Unveils RWC 2015 Plans|url=http://www.rugbytoday.com/international/nbc-unveils-rwc-2015-plans|url-status=dead|website=Rugby Today|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141103020301/http://www.rugbytoday.com/international/nbc-unveils-rwc-2015-plans|archive-date=3 November 2014}}</ref> & [[Univision]]
|All 48 matches live online in the US<br />Live coverage of nine matches between the two broadcasters – all USA pool matches, opening match, both semi-finals, bronze final and the final
|-
|Uruguay
|[[Teledoce]]
|Only Uruguay matches
|}
<sup>1</sup> Except British Indian Ocean Territory – Chagos Archipelago, Cape Verde, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, Djibouti, Mauritania, Mauritius, Mayotte, North Africa, Réunion, Somalia, South Sudan and Tristan da Cunha<br />
<sup>2</sup> Except Belize<br />
<sup>3</sup> Except Brazil and South Georgia and South Sandwich Islands

{| class="wikitable" style="width:100%"
|-
!width=20%|Television network
!width=30%|Country or region
!width=50%|Broadcasting
|-
|[[Canal+ Afrique|Canal+ Africa]]
|Francophone Central and West Africa
|All 48 matches live on Canal+ Sport 3
|-
|[[Eurosport]]<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.totalrugby.de/content/view/7554/169/|title=Eurosport überträgt die Rugby-WM 2015 in Deutschland |website=Total Rugby|date=13 May 2015|language=de}}</ref>
|Austria, Belgium, Germany, Liechtenstein, Luxembourg, Switzerland
|20 matches live, including opening match and final
|-
|[[Fox Sports Asia]]<ref>{{cite web|title=Rugby World Cup 2015 {{!}} TV Schedule|url=http://www.foxsportsasia.com/rugby-world-cup|website=Fox Sports Asia|access-date=17 September 2015|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150912193049/http://www.foxsportsasia.com/rugby-world-cup|archive-date=12 September 2015|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|Cambodia, China (Via [[STAR Sports (China)|STAR Sports]]), Hong Kong, Indonesia, South Korea (via STAR Sports Korea), Macau, Mongolia, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Singapore, Taiwan, Thailand, Vietnam, Malaysia
|All 48 matches broadcast live
|-
|[[Fiji Television|Fiji TV]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|Cook Islands, East Timor, Solomon Islands, Niue, Nauru, Vanuatu, Kiribati, Northern Marianas, Tokelau, Tahiti, Tuvalu, New Caledonia, American Samoa, Marshall Islands, Palau and Federated States of Micronesia. Papua New Guinea, Wallis and Futuna, Nouvelle Calédonie, Îles Éparses, Polynésie Française.
|All 48 matches broadcast live
<ref name="Rugby World Cup 2015 Live TV"/>
|-
|[[OSN]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|Algeria, Bahrain, Egypt, Jordan, Kuwait, Lebanon, Morocco, Saudi Arabia, Oman, Qatar, Tunisia, UAE
|All 48 matches broadcast live or on delay
|-
|[[TF1]]<ref name="RWC Where to watch?"/>
|Monaco
|21 matches, including all French matches, selected pool stage matches, all knockout matches
|-
|[[Viaplay]], [[Viasat (Nordic television service)|Viasat]]<ref name="http://www.viasatsport.se">{{cite web|url=http://www.viasatsport.se/nyheter/rugby/viaplay-sander-allt-fran-rugby-vm-2015/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150626140433/http://www.viasatsport.se/nyheter/rugby/viaplay-sander-allt-fran-rugby-vm-2015/|url-status=dead|archive-date=26 June 2015|title=Viaplay sänder allt från Rugby-VM|website=Viasat Sport|publisher=Viasat|date=25 June 2015|language=sv}}</ref>
|Denmark, Finland, Norway, Sweden
|All 48 matches broadcast live on OTT Service Viaplay, with selected games on Viasat Sport
|}
<ref>{{Cite web|title=Watch Rugby's Biggest Events Online|url=http://rugbyworldcuptv.com/|url-status=dead|website=Rugby World Cup TV|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150917193557/http://www.rugbyworldcuptv.com/|archive-date=17 September 2015}}></ref><ref name="Rugby World Cup 2015 Live TV"/>

==Video game==
The officially licensed ''[[Rugby World Cup 2015 (video game)|Rugby World Cup 2015]]'' video game was released on 4 September 2015 on PC, [[PS3]], [[PS4]], [[PS Vita]], [[Xbox 360]] and [[Xbox One]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.bigben-interactive.co.uk/bigben-products/video-games/rugby-world-cup-2015-ps4/|title=RUGBY WORLD CUP 2015|work=Bigben EN}}</ref> [[IGN]] rated the game 1.5/10, calling it "unbearable to play".<ref>{{cite web|url=http://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/09/04/rugby-world-cup-2015-review|title=Rugby World Cup 2015 Review|first=Nathan|last=Lawrence|date=4 September 2015|website=IGN|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150905091810/http://uk.ign.com/articles/2015/09/04/rugby%2Dworld%2Dcup%2D2015%2Dreview|archive-date=5 September 2015|url-status=dead|access-date=7 September 2015}}</ref>

==Tickets==
Ticket prices were announced in November 2013 with general sale applications launching in September 2014.<ref>{{cite news|title=2.3m tickets for Rugby World Cup 2015 |url=http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid=2069664.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131203034714/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/home/news/newsid%3D2069664.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=3 December 2013 |work=rugbyworldcup.com |publisher=International Rugby Board |date=27 November 2013 |access-date=27 November 2013 }}</ref> Adult ticket prices started at £15 for pool matches and children's tickets were available from £7 at 41 of the 48 matches. Tickets for the final ranged from £150 to £715.<ref>{{cite news|title=Rugby World Cup 2015: Cheapest Twickenham final ticket is £150|url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/0/rugby-union/25121033|publisher=BBC Sport |date=27 November 2013|access-date=27 November 2013 }}</ref>

==See also==
*[[2015 Rugby World Cup warm-up matches]]

==Notes==
{{Reflist|group=nb}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{Commons category}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20151103061515/http://www.rugbyworldcup.com/ 2015 RWC official website] (Archived)
*[http://www.worldrugby.org/ World Rugby] – official site

{{2015 Rugby World Cup}}
{{2015 Rugby World Cup venues}}
{{2015 Rugby World Cup referees}}
{{Rugby Union World Cup}}
{{World championships in 2015}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:World Cup}}
[[Category:2015 Rugby World Cup| ]]
[[Category:Rugby World Cup tournaments|2015]]
[[Category:2015–16 in English rugby union]]
[[Category:2015–16 in Welsh rugby union]]
[[Category:2015 rugby union tournaments for national teams]]
[[Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by Wales]]
[[Category:International rugby union competitions hosted by England]]
[[Category:September 2015 sports events in the United Kingdom|Rugby World Cup 2015]]
[[Category:October 2015 sports events in the United Kingdom|Rugby World Cup 2015]]
[[Category:Events in Brighton and Hove]]