In 24 hours, the French XV will kick off the 10th Rugby World Cup. With a shock to start against the All Blacks. France – New Zealand. 2 countries separated by 20,000 km. 2 rugby cultures.
But when we look at the twenty teams who will compete in this World Cup. There are relatively few surprises. Nine European nations, 5 Oceanian, 3 South American, 2 African and 1 Asian. And the favorites for a place in the last four are almost always the same (France, Ireland, South Africa, New Zealand). Without forgetting England and Australia, 2 former world champions, in difficulty in 2023.
36 years after the first World Cup, there is little change within the world rugby elite. Which raises the question of the internationalization of this sport…
Is rugby struggling to globalize? How does a sport develop internationally? Can a country import or create a culture specific to a particular sport?
Can we import a sports culture?
– Kevin Veyssiereexpert in sports geopolitics, author of the book Planet rugby, 50 geopolitical questions, Max Milo editions
– Fabien Archambault lecturer in Contemporary History at the University of Paris 1 Panthéon-Sorbonne, sports specialist, author of Whistles, a history of the world in 11 matches, Flammarion editions
– Jean-Philippe Bouchard, sports journalist, sports editor.