How many countries have joined the IRB in the past 10/15 years?

Question

I am trying to figure out if rugby as a sport is growing but no-one seems to have a clue. Are there more rugby playing nations now than ten or fifteen years ago?

Answer 1

i don't have actaul figures, but you can only assume it's growing as a sport.

i'd say it would of been growng rapidly since Rugby Union turned professional in the mid 90's

Answer 2

I dont know how many teams have joined but i do know rugby is a growing sport here in the USA.  We have many more people involved in rugby than we did 10-15 years ago.  There has been an emergence of rugby as a sport in high schools and more and more women's teams as well as men's  teams.  Also, the NCAA- (college regulation of sports) has recognized womens rugby as a varsity sport... rather than justa  team sport for colleges/ universities.  this means rugby gets more $ and support form the college.  its only for women right now due to a law saying there msut be eqaul reperesentation for women in sports... and there is just more room for a new sport for the women.

rugby in the USA is also growing in ability.  there was a need for a more competitive bracket than the typical club teams here in the states.  and in 1996, a super league was formed to try to make another step in the structure of rugby in the states.

You also have to look at the emergence and growth in other small nations... tonga and samoa and theres canada and even ethiopia and mexico... id have to say without a doubt that rugby is growing as a sport.