Brad Fittler after the 1995 final. (Allsport).

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The idea of a rugby league world championship was first mooted as far back as 1933 by France, who tried repeatedly to get the tournament off the ground before finally succeeding in 1954.

The French were hosts but Great Britain, despite being written off as no-hopers after selecting a under-strength team, emerged as victors with Huddersfield's Scottish captain Dave Valentine leading the Lions to a 16-12 win over France in the final at the Parc des Princes.

The second tournament was staged, in a league format, in Australia three years later and the host nation claimed the spoils as the only unbeaten team.

The World Cup was held in England for the first time in 1960 and, fittingly, Great Britain won back the crown, only for Australia to regain possession eight years later when they beat France in the final in Sydney.

The Kangaroos retained the trophy in 1970, beating Great Britain in the final at Headingley, but the Lions gained their revenge two years later when the competition returned to France.

The final, in Lyon, finished in a 10-10 draw but Britain were declared winners after finishing top of the qualifying table.

In 1975, the format was changed, with Great Britain divided into England and Wales and round-robin matches staged in both northern and southern hemispheres.

A dramatic win by the Welsh over England in Brisbane put paid to the hopes of any British success.

Two years later Australia pipped a restored British team 13-12 in the Sydney final before the tournament was changed once more.

A designated match in each Test series between the three major rugby league playing nations was classified as a World Cup game, with the winners collecting points for a qualifying league table.

Australia and New Zealand qualified from the 1985-88 era, with the Aussies winning the final, while Britain's momentous 33-10 win over Australia at Melbourne in 1992 enabled them to reach the next final.

There was no fairytale ending though as the Kangaroos triumphed 10-6 at Wembley, with Steve Renouf - now with Wigan - scoring the crucial try.

The 1995 tournament was staged, at short notice, in Britain to celebrate the game's centenary, with the hosts once more split into England and Wales and minnows Tonga, Papua New Guinea, South Africa, Fiji and Western Samoa joining the big stage.

Last-minute sponsorship was obtained from the Halifax Building Society to allay fears of a financial flop but England's surprise opening victory over hot favourites Australia at Wembley ignited huge interest and more than 100,000 fans watched the six group one fixtures.

The spectators flocked to see the Pacific Islanders and there was a lock-out in Swansea where Wales, inspired by union converts Jonathan Davies, Scott Gibbs, Alan Bateman and a young Iestyn Harris, gained a thrilling 22-10 win over Western Samoa to clinch a place in the semi-finals.

England eventually ended the Welsh run while Australia needed extra time to see off New Zealand in the other semi-final to set up an eagerly-awaited re-match back at Wembley.

But after the mouthwatering build-up the final was something of an anti-climax as Brad Fittler led the Kangaroos, minus players allied to the new Super League, to a 16-8 victory in front of a 66,540 crowd.

PREVIOUS RESULTS

1954: Great Britain 16 France 12 at Parc des Princes, Paris.

1957: Australia declared winners after beating all three opponents in Brisbane and Sydney.

1960: Great Britain declared winners after beating all three opponents in England.

1968: Australia 20 France 2 at Sydney Cricket Ground.

1970: Australia 12 Great Britain 7 at Headingley, Leeds.

1972: Great Britain 10 Australia 10, at Lyon, Britain declared winners for their better record in the preliminary matches.

1975: Australia declared winners after winning six of their eight matches.

1977: Australia 13 Great Britain 12 at Sydney Cricket Ground.

1985-88: Australia 25 New Zealand 12 at Eden Park, Auckland.

1989-92: Australia 10 Great Britain 6 at Wembley.

1995: Australia 16 England 8 at Wembley.