1999
Wales, and their splendid new Millennium Stadium, played host to the 1999 World Cup, but in truth it was a tournament that never took off despite an astonishing semi-final display by France against New Zealand.
The pool stages featured tournament bows for minnows Spain, Uruguay and Namibia, while England's hopes were effectively derailed by a Twickenham defeat against the All Blacks that forced them into a midweek quarter-final play-off against Fiji.
Just four days after winning that game, they were back in action, tackling reigning champions South Africa in Paris, where a world Test record five Jannie de Beer drop-goals booted them into oblivion.
Ireland, meanwhile, departed at the play-off stage, beaten by Argentina, but the other three quarter-finals followed a predictable pattern as Australia, France and New Zealand all progressed.
Lomu had again been in inspired form, but the All Blacks met their match against France, who won an unforgettable Twickenham encounter 43-31, the victory coming just 24 hours after a similarly gripping affair on the same ground ended with Australia toppling South Africa.
In contrast, the final between Australia and France was a hugely disappointing occasion, with the Wallabies easing home 35-12 to land their second Webb Ellis Trophy.
Competing countries: Scotland, South Africa, Uruguay, Spain, New Zealand, England, Italy, Tonga, France, Fiji, Canada, Namibia, Wales, Samoa, Japan, Argentina, Ireland, Australia, USA, Romania.
Winners - Australia, 2nd - France, 3rd - South Africa, 4th - New Zealand.
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