Welcome to the World Rugby Member Resources page. The Membership area has been created to provide resources, guidance and templates to Member Unions, Regional Associations and the global rugby family.

There are currently 133 members of World Rugby – 115 full members and 18 associate members – from six different regional associations in Asia Rugby, Rugby Africa, Rugby Europe, Oceania Rugby, Rugby Americas North and Sudamérica Rugby.

World Rugby’s Executive Board considers applications for membership of World Rugby made by unions and the six regional associations. 

If the set criteria are met, the Executive Board then puts forward its recommendations to the World Rugby Council who have the ultimate authority to admit a union and/or association. A union is approved in the first instance as an associate member and once relevant criteria have been met, they can apply to be awarded full member status.