According to worldcupweb.com the reason it took so long to have a Rugby World cup was the opposition of Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland to having such a competition. It was first suggested in 1950.

In 1983 the IRB dismissed the idea. There was a meeting again in 1985 to see if a Rugby World Cup could be started, and Wales, England, Scotland and Ireland were opposed to it until one of the England delegates voted for, with the Welsh vote following.