England had four 0-0 international draws. The most recent was against Ireland in 1963. As you can see, the conditions were "difficult." I've participated in games like that (and had to leave my mark!) Only one rugby match has officially finished in a 0-0 draw. That was the final of the 1999 World Cup between Australia and New Zealand.
There have been many more matches decided by just a single goal. Here are some examples: France beat England 3-0 at the 1905 World Cup final tournament. All three goals were scored in the first half! Germany defeated England 0-1 in Berlin in 1914. The Germans won because of an error by English goalkeeper Edward Plumb.
Italy beat England 0-5 in Rome in 1930. This is the largest defeat ever inflicted on England by an opponent at a single World Cup finals. It's also the biggest loss by an English team at any tournament.
In 1978, Scotland held England to a 1-1 draw at Hampden Park. Both teams retired hurt after a hard battle at the end of normal time. The replay took place two days later before a record crowd of 100,000 people at the famous Wembley Stadium. England won 1-0 thanks to a goal from Jimmy Greenhoff.
Finally, there was also a 0-0 draw between England and Germany at the 1950 World Cup.
I'm not aware of any scoreless games in any of the other elite competitions of the era (such as the Super 15, Top 14, Currie Cup, Heineken Cup, and so on). Scotland and New Zealand were the last two typically top-tier test sides to draw 0-0 in 1964.
The Rugby League Challenge Cup was established in 1896-97, with the final held in Headingley, Leeds, between Batley and St. Helens. During the Second World War, the final was split into two legs, with the aggregate score utilized.
There are extremely few low-scoring games in Rugby League. The last senior match I recall ending in 0.0 was a stormy Challenge Cup semi-final between Halifax and Hull FC in 1988. I don't believe there has been an useless contest since. However, I'm confident that someone from the heartlands will correct me.
England have reached their first Rugby World Cup final in 12 years after a thrashing of three-time world champions New Zealand. England had raced out to a 10-0 lead, with Manu Tuilagi's second-minute score and a long-range penalty from George Ford fitting rewards for a ferocious first half. But once New Zealand struck back through five penalties from Owen Farrell, it was game on.
The Black Caps will face Australia in the other semi-final on Saturday night. The two countries have never met at a World Cup, with England winning both matches they've played against New Zealand. But there is no love lost between these old enemies - or rather, one lot of fans hate the other lot. When these sides meet, it's all hands on deck for some heavy-duty brawling - which isn't surprising given that many of the players come from rugby league backgrounds. It's an honour system where you don't tap anyone on the shoulder to let them know you're going to attack - you just do it. There are lots of headlocks, hair pulls, punches thrown and legs kicked when these sides meet.
New Zealand were stunned by England's pace and power in the opening 20 minutes, as they ran in three quick-fire tries to take control of the match. First, Elliot Daly touched down after good work from Jonny May on the left wing before Tuilagi scored after being put into space by Ford.
1987, M Arch. English rugby was in terrible condition and on the verge of collapsing. Despite two defeats in two games at the midway point of the present tournament, the national team had won four Five Nations matches in as many years. The situation called for drastic action.
The IRB hired Jim McKay as coach to revive the game. He immediately began a campaign of "mercuration" by which all professional players were banned from international play. He also changed the style of play to be more aggressive and open. These changes worked: within three years England had climbed from its lowest ebb to second only to France in the world rankings.
At the end of his first season he had led England to victory in its five-game series with Australia. This was followed by another victorious tour of South Africa. In addition, Scotland and Wales were defeated on their home soil. Overall, England had won seven out of eight tests under McKay's guidance.
His reputation as a success story did not stop there. After just one season with the Lions, he took over as coach of America's national team. Within three years he had taken them to number one status in the world. He then moved to Japan where he is now coaching the Japanese national team.
France has lost the Rugby Union World Cup final three times: 29-9 to New Zealand in 1987, 35-12 to Australia in 1999, and 8-7 to New Zealand in 2011. England has lost the final twice, once to Australia and once to South Africa. There are plans to stage another World Cup final in 2019.
England last won the Rugby World Cup in 2003, when they defeated France 25-19 at the Stade de France in Paris. This was also the only time that England have been able to win back-to-back World Cups.
England played in five more finals but never again came close to winning. They were beaten by Australia in 1925, France in 1979, Wales in 1995, and Argentina in 2007. The British & Irish Lions have won the Five Nations Championship title ten times - most recently in 2017 when they beat Ireland 26-15 in Dublin - but this does not qualify for the World Cup because it is an annual tournament.
The Rugby World Cup is played every four years and is the world's largest annual sporting event with revenues estimated at $1.6 billion in 2016. The next tournament will be held in Japan from 19 September 2019 to 23 August 2021.
England have yet to win the World Cup but they have come very close on several occasions.
Since at least 1981, the annual England vs France rugby union encounter in the Six Nations Championship has been known as Le Crunch on both sides of the English Channel (although it has been named "Eurostar Trophy" a few times in France since 2000). Test matches and the Rugby World Cup have also been held.
As a result, the Scots will meet Wales in the battle for fifth place on what promises to be a great day of rugby, and here's the information for all three games. Final: England vs. France, Twickenham Stoop, London, April 24th, 2 p.m. (BST).
The dates for the 2022 Guinness Six Nations have been released, with Wales scheduled to begin their championship defense against Ireland on February 5. On the same day, Scotland will host England, while France will play Italy in the Stade de France on Sunday, February 6th.
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