How rugby governing bodies and federations have grown or expanded

World Rugby is the organization that oversees rugby union internationally (as well as related sports like sevens). The WR's main office is in Dublin, Ireland. WR, which was established in 1886, oversees the sport globally and disseminates the rules and standings. WR (then known as the IRB, or International Rugby Board) reported 119 unions as members as of February 2014, including 18 associate member nations and 101 full members. Rugby union is played by both men and women in more than 100 nations, according to WR.

Six regional associations, which are members of WR, form the next level of administration; these are:

• Rugby Africa, formerly Confederation of African Rugby (CAR)

• Asia Rugby, formerly Asian Rugby Football Union (ARFU)

• Rugby Americas North, formerly North America Caribbean Rugby Association (NACRA)

• Rugby Europe, previously Fédération Internationale de Rugby Amateur – Association Européenne de Rugby (FIRA-AER)

• Oceania Rugby, formerly Federation of Oceania Rugby Unions (FORU)

• Sudamérica Rugby, formerly Confederación Sudamericana de Rugby (South American Rugby Confederation, or CONSUR)