England was the first Rugby World Cup champion from the Northern Hemisphere. England achieved that milestone by defeating Australia 20–17 in the 2003 final at Stadium Australia in Sydney.
The victory ended 16 years of Southern Hemisphere dominance. New Zealand won the inaugural tournament in 1987, Australia won in 1991, and South Africa won in 1995. England’s triumph therefore made them the first team from Europe or another Northern Hemisphere rugby union to lift the Webb Ellis Cup.
The 2003 final was decided in extra time. Jonny Wilkinson and Australia’s Elton Flatley exchanged penalty goals, leaving the score level at 17–17. With 28 seconds remaining, Wilkinson struck a right-footed drop goal to secure England’s first world title.
England remains the only Northern Hemisphere men’s team to have won the Rugby World Cup. France, Ireland and Wales have all reached major tournament stages, and France has appeared in several finals, but none had won the championship through the 2023 tournament. Another common mix-up is confusing England’s 2003 victory with the 2007 final, when South Africa defeated England 15–6.