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• What did the South Africans ever do for us?
Ireland Rugby
Who exactly are the IRB?
The IRB is the International Rugby Board, and were found in 1886 in Dublin – they are the governing and law making body for Rugby Union.
Membership:
95 Country Unions
20 Associate Member
6 Regional Assocations
Day to day running is handled by a staff of just over 40, but the overall management decisions are handled by the execuitve council (known as the IRB board). The council is dominated by the main rugby powers, the following countries all have two votes each at the council table:
New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland and France
Canada, Italy, Japan, Argentina, Fira (Europe), Car (Africa), Foru (Oceania) and Arfu (Asia) have one each, while other individual nations do not get a separate vote.
The IRB control a number of existing rugby tournaments, including the Womens Rugby World Cup, Rugby World Cup Sevens, IRB Sevens, Under 21 World Cup, Under 19 World Championship, Super Powers Cup, and its premier event, the Rugby World Cup.