Scotland at the Rugby World Cup


Scotland have played in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987.
Their best finish was fourth in 1991. In their semi-final on October 26, 1991, Scotland lost 6-9 to England at Murrayfield after Gavin Hastings missed a penalty almost in front of and a short distance from the posts. On October 30 Scotland lost the third-place play-off to New Zealand in Cardiff 13-6.
Since then they have qualified for the quarter-finals in every tournament except in 2011, 2019 and 2023, but have not qualified for the semi-finals.
In 2015 Scotland were defeated in the quarter-final match versus Australia following a number of refereeing decisions that provoked controversy.
In 2019, they were defeated in the pool stages by Ireland and hosts Japan, becoming the first Tier 1 team since Wales in 2007 to not qualify for the quarter-finals from a pool that only contained two Tier 1 teams.

1987 New Zealand & Australia

;Group matches
;Quarter final

1991 UK, Ireland & France

;Group matches
;Quarter final
;Semi final
;Third-place play-off

1995 South Africa

;Group matches
;Quarter final

1999 Wales

;Group matches
;Quarter-final play-offs
;Quarter final

2003 Australia

;Group matches
;Quarter final

2007 France

;Group matches
;Quarter final

2011 New Zealand

;Group matches

2015 England

;Group matches
;Quarter final

2019 Japan

;Group matches

Individual Records

Gavin Hastings is by far the most successful Scottish world cup player, and has gained a number of records.

Conversions

Most overall conversions in final stages

Penalty goals

Most penalties in a match

Overall record

RWC qualifying countries which Scotland has not played at the tournament include Canada, Wales and Namibia.

Miscellaneous

Draws

  • 20–20

Nil points

  • 89–0
  • 48–0
  • 42–0
  • 0–40
  • 34–0
  • 61–0
  • 84–0

Hosting

Scotland has never been the main host of the World Cup, but a number of Rugby World Cup games have been played in Scotland over the years.

1991 World Cup: Britain/Ireland/France

The 1991 Rugby World Cup final was played in England, pool and finals games were played all over the main five European nations. Pool B games, which involved European nations, Scotland and Ireland, had all their games in either Dublin or Edinburgh with one game being played in Ulster.

1999 World Cup: Wales

The 1999 World Cup was hosted by Wales with some games spread across Scotland, England, Ireland and France. All Pool A games were held in Scotland. Second round play-offs and the quarter-finals were held at a variety of European venues.

2007 World Cup: France

The 2007 competition was held in France, with some games played in Wales and Scotland. Two Pool C matches were held at Edinburgh's Murrayfield.