1954 Rugby League World Cup final

The 1954 Rugby League World Cup final was the conclusive game of the 1954 Rugby League World Cup tournament and was played between France and Great Britain on 13 November 1954 at the Parc des Princes in Paris, France.

Background

The 1954 Rugby League World Cup was the inaugural staging of the Rugby League World Cup. The tournament was held in France from 30 October, culminating in the final between France and Great Britain on 13 November.

France

Opposing Team	For	Against	Date	Venue	Attendance	Stage
	22	13	30 October	Parc des Princes, Paris	13,240	Group Stage
	13	13	7 November	Stadium Municipal, Toulouse	37,471	Group Stage
	15	5	11 November	Stade Marcel Saupin, Nantes	13,000	Group Stage

Great Britain

Opposing Team	For	Against	Date	Venue	Attendance	Stage
	28	13	31 October	Stade de Gerland, Lyon	10,250	Group Stage
	13	13	7 November	Stadium Municipal, Toulouse	37,471	Group Stage
	26	6	11 November	Stade Chaban Delmas, Bordeaux	14,000	Group Stage

Match details

The BBC broadcast the whole match live in the UK via the Television Continental Exchange – a rare novelty for the time. France opened the scoring with a penalty Puig-Aubert kick from 45 yards out and played well early in the match, leading early in the second half thanks to a brilliant try from Cantoni. However Great Britain did not waver, with credit for the win given to a starring role by centre Phil Jackson and the play of their forward pack, as well as the tough match France had played against Australia in Nantes two days earlier. Great Britain defeated France 16–12 and became the first team to lift the World Cup.