England won the 2003 Rugby World Cup, the first tournament held in the Southern Hemisphere.
The event was hosted primarily by Australia, with matches played from 10 October to 22 November 2003. England beat Australia 20–17 after extra time in the final at Stadium Australia in Sydney, becoming the first northern-hemisphere men’s team to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
Australia entered the tournament as defending champion after winning in 1999. England’s campaign was led by a powerful forward pack, disciplined defence and Jonny Wilkinson’s precise kicking, culminating in his extra-time drop goal in the final.
The tournament is distinct from the 1987 and 1991 competitions, which were co-hosted in the Southern Hemisphere and won by New Zealand and Australia respectively. The 2003 event was the first fully Southern Hemisphere-hosted men’s Rugby World Cup.