View source for World XV

{{Short description|International rugby union team}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2012}}
A '''World XV''' (or World 15) is a [[rugby union]] team organised on an unofficial, ''ad hoc'' basis and typically composed of invited players from various countries. Several World XVs have been arranged by various bodies since the 1970s, often to take part in celebration and testimonial games, usually against national teams, but these are not considered [[Test match (rugby union)|test matches]] by most nations.

==Examples ==
===[[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]]===
In 1980 and 1983, [[Argentina national rugby union team|Argentina]] played World XVs. The first match was played at [[Estadio Arquitecto Ricardo Etcheverry|Ferrocarril Oeste Stadium]], [[Buenos Aires]].<ref>[http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/match/21315.html Scrum.com match summary for 1980 World XV vs Argentina]</ref> Argentina went into half time ahead by 16 points to nil and despite an excellent display in the second half by the World XV Argentina were able to secure a 36–22 win. The second match was played in [[Estadio Don León Kolbovski|Atlanta Stadium]], [[Buenos Aires]], where Argentina secured a second victory 28–20.

===[[Australia national rugby union team|Australia]]===
In 1988 Australia played a World XV to celebrate the [[Australian Bicentenary|bicentenary of Australia]]. Australia won 42-38.<ref>[https://www.rugbydatabase.co.nz/team/competition-player-list.php?competitionId=1814&teamId=147]</ref>

In March 2019, a World XV captained by [[Andy Ellis (rugby union)|Andrew Ellis]] and coached by [[Robbie Deans]] played the [[Western Force]], who won 26–16 as the opener of the [[2019 Global Rapid Rugby season]] in [[Perth Oval|HBF Park]], [[Perth]].<ref>{{cite news|url=https://thewest.com.au/sport/western-force/western-force-too-good-for-honey-badger-world-xv-ng-b881144928z|title=Western Force too good for Honey Badger, World XV |first=Nick |last=Taylor |publisher=[[The West Australian]] |date=23 March 2019 |access-date=29 March 2019}}</ref>

===[[France national rugby union team|France]]===
In March 2024 it was announced, that for the first time, [[France national rugby union team|France]] would played a World XV side in [[Bilbao]] at the [[San Mamés Stadium (2013)|San Mamés Stadium]] in June 2024.<ref name="France A against WXV">{{cite web|url=
https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/03/15/test-matchs-un-match-xv-de-france-xv-mondial-a-bilbao-avant-largentine-le-programme-des-bleus-cet-ete-11827825.php|title=Test-matchs - Un match XV de France - XV Mondial à Bilbao avant l'Argentine : le programme des Bleus cet été|date=16 March 2024|accessdate=16 March 2024}}</ref> The game was scheduled to be played in June 2024 with [[Ian Foster (rugby union)|Ian Foster]] appointed as head coach, and players such as [[Owen Farrell]], [[Camille Lopez]], [[Maxime Machenaud]], [[Semi Radradra]], [[Billy Vunipola]] and [[Mako Vunipola]] all confirmed as players.<ref>[https://www.espn.co.uk/rugby/story/_/id/40028560/owen-farrell-play-world-xv-france-bilbao Owen Farrell to play for World XV against France in Bilbao]</ref> However, by May 2024, the game was cancelled due to logistical challenges in organising the game.<ref>[https://www.rugbyrama.fr/2024/05/09/international-officiel-le-match-entre-le-xv-de-france-et-la-selection-mondiale-est-annule-11940379.php International - Official: the match between the XV of France and the world selection is cancelled]</ref>

===[[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand]]===
{{See|NZRFU Centenary Matches}}
In 1992, the [[New Zealand national rugby union team|New Zealand national team]], the All Blacks, played three matches against a World XV in New Zealand, to mark the centenary of the [[New Zealand Rugby|New Zealand Rugby Union]]. The first encounter ended in a 24–14 win for the World XV. New Zealand won the second match 54–26, and the third match 26–15.

===[[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]]===
{{See|Rugby union and apartheid}}

[[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]] played against a World XV in [[Pretoria]] on 27 August 1977, to celebrate the opening of the [[Loftus Versfeld stadium]].<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thesouthafrican.com/five-facts-about-the-world-xv-rugby-team/ |title=Five facts about the World XV rugby team |first=Alasdair |last=Fraser |publisher=[[The South African]] |date=6 June 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190329183438/https://www.thesouthafrican.com/five-facts-about-the-world-xv-rugby-team/ |archive-date=29 March 2019}}</ref> The World side included [[Gareth Edwards (producer)|Gareth Edwards]], [[J. P. R. Williams]], [[Willie John McBride]], and [[Sandy Carmichael]]. A crowd of 65,000 watched as [[Morné du Plessis]]' [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africans]] led by 22–14 at half-time to eventually defeat the World XV by 45–24. During the match Argentinian flyhalf [[Hugo Porta]] came on as a replacement. Flank [[Theuns Stofberg]] added two tries to one each by [[Gerrie Germishuys]], [[Hermanus Potgieter]],<ref>Hermanus Potgieter Scores During the Match Between a World XV and [[South Africa national rugby union team|South Africa]], 27 August 1977. Accessed: 31 December 2012. [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yd40ao2sPd0 YouTube link.].</ref> [[Dawie Snyman]], and [[Barry Wolmarans]] (on debut) for the [[South Africa national rugby union team|Springboks]].<ref>{{cite web | title = World XV tour - Pretoria, 27 August 1977. South Africa (22) 45 - 24 (12) World XV (FT) | website = ESPNscrum | url = http://www.espnscrum.com/scrum/rugby/match/21051.html | access-date = 31 December 2012 }}</ref> Four days later, the World XV played [[Western Province (rugby team)|Western Province]] at [[Newlands Stadium]] in [[Cape Town]]. This time Porta started alongside Williams, McBride, and Carmichael, with [[Alan Sutherland (rugby player)|Alan Sutherland]] facing off against Du Plessis. At 3.30pm [[Coloured people|coloured]] player [[Errol Tobias]], representing the [[South African Rugby Football Federation|South African Federation]], was on the reserve bench for the World XV, as he had been for the 2pm match between a Presidents' XV and Western Province B.<ref>{{cite web | title = 1977 Western Province V World XV Rugby Programme | url = http://www.mullocksauctions.co.uk/lot-31231-1977_western_province_v_world_xv_rugby_programme.html | access-date = 31 December 2012 | archive-date = 5 March 2014 | url-status = dead | archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140305165747/http://www.mullocksauctions.co.uk/lot-31231-1977_western_province_v_world_xv_rugby_programme.html}}</ref>

In 1989 a World XV, sanctioned by the IRB and funded by [[South African Breweries]], played two tests against South Africa in celebration of the centenary of the [[South African Rugby Board]] (SARB). The Springboks won both, by 20–19 at [[Newlands Stadium]] in [[Cape Town]] and the second by 22–16 on 2 September at Ellis Park in [[Johannesburg]].

In May and June 2006 a World XV, sponsored by South African company Steinhoff Holdings and coached by [[Bob Dwyer]], played three games – against [[Saracens F.C.|Saracens]] in London, then against South Africa at Ellis Park and [[Western Province (rugby)|Western Province XV]] at Newlands. The latter match was a [[testimonial match|testimonial]] for former South Africa captain [[Corné Krige]], who led the Western Province side. In December 2006, again coached by Dwyer, a Steinhoff-backed World XV played a South Africa XV at [[Walkers Stadium]] in [[Leicester]], losing 32–7. This game was to mark the centenary of South Africa's overseas tours.

In 2014, a World XV captained by [[Matt Giteau]] and coached by [[Nick Mallett]] played a South Africa XV, who won 45–24.<ref>[http://tvnz.co.nz/rugby-news/springboks-open-season-against-world-xv-5889293 Springboks to open season against World XV] - TVNZ, 8 April 2014</ref>

===[[Tonga national rugby union team|Tonga]]===
In 2008, a World XV played a [[Tonga national rugby union team|Coronation Tongan XV]] side, in a game to celebrate the coronation of [[Tonga]]'s King, [Kev O’Neill]. Tonga won the match 60–26, beating the [[Colin Charvis]]-captained side that included players from Australia, England, Fiji, New Zealand, Samoa and Wales.<ref>[http://msn.planetrugby.com/Story/0,18259,3894_3894257,00.html Tonga beat World XV]</ref>

===[[Wales national rugby union team|Wales]]===
In 2008, a [[Wales national rugby union team|Wales XV]] side played a World XV, as a testimonial match for Welsh player [[Shane Williams]]. There were 19 tries scored in the match, which was played at the [[Millennium Stadium]], with Williams scoring the match-winning try as Wales won 65–57.

==Team details==
{{World XV 2023 squad|state=collapsed}}
{{World XV 2018 squad|state=collapsed}}
{{World XV 2017 squad|state=collapsed}}
{{World XV July 2015 squad|state=collapsed}}
{{World XV 2014 squad|state=collapsed}}
{{World XV Wales 2008 squad|state=collapsed}}
{{World XV squad 1992|state=collapsed}}
{{World XV 1980 squad|state=collapsed}}
{{World XV 1977 squad|state=collapsed}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

{{Barbarian F.C.}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:World XV}}
[[Category:World XV| ]]
[[Category:International rugby union teams]]
[[Category:Multinational rugby union teams]]