International Rugby Board

The International Rugby Board is rugby union's world governing body. It was founded in 1886 as the International Rugby Football Board (IRFB) by Scotland, Wales, and Ireland. England originally refused to take part, but in 1890 it became the first non-founding union to become a member. The International Rugby Football Board became the International Rugby Board before 1997. The IRB's headquarters are located in Dublin, Republic of Ireland.