With Romania the latest country possibly facing an early exit, we look back at three other countries that have been banned from rugby's most prestigious tournament.
#1. SOUTH AFRICA (1987 & 1991)
World Rugby banned South Africa from all international competitions until apartheid (a policy or system of segregation or discrimination on grounds of race) ended.
As a result, the Springboks could not participate in the 1987 and 1991 Rugby World Cup.
After the legal apparatus of apartheid was abolished in the early 1990s South Africa was readmitted into international rugby in 1992 and would host the 1995 tournament, which they famously won.
#2. SPAIN (2019 & 2023)
Spain have been kicked out of the 2023 Rugby World Cup and will be replaced by Romania after it was determined that Los Leones fielded an ineligible player, allegedly with the help of a forged passport.
In qualifying. Spain had reached the World Cup for the first time since 1999 after a dramatic win over Portugal in March but have been docked 10 points and dumped out of next year’s tournament in France.
#3. RUSSIA (2023)
World Rugby has refused to hear an appeal from Russia to lift a suspension imposed on it following the country’s invasion of Ukraine.
