Italy at the Rugby World Cup

Italy have competed in all the Rugby World Cup tournaments, having made their first appearance in the inaugural 1987 tournament. They have finished third in their pool at every tournament, except in 1999, the only tournament where they lost more than two games. Having never finished in the top two in their pool, they have never qualified to progress to the quarter-finals. They have won the most matches of those that have never made it to the quarter-finals.

Because they finished third in Pool C of the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, they automatically qualified to compete in the 2011 tournament in New Zealand. A similar finishing position in that tournament saw them automatically qualify for the 2015 World Cup in England, where they retained the third place and the automatic qualification for France 2023.

2011 Rugby World Cup
All times are local New Zealand time (UTC+12 until 24 September, UTC+13 from 25 September )

2019 Rugby World Cup

 * Pool B

Notes:
 * As a result of inclement weather caused by Typhoon Hagibis this match was cancelled and awarded as a 0–0 draw.

2023 Rugby World Cup

 * Pool A

Team records
Most points in a tournament
 * 114 – 2023
 * 98 – 2019
 * 92 – 2011

Most points in a game
 * 53 vs (2011)
 * 52 vs (2023)
 * 48 vs (2019)

Biggest winning margin
 * 44 vs (2023)
 * 41 Vs (2019)
 * 36 vs (2011)

Highest score against
 * 101 vs (1999)
 * 96 vs (2023)
 * 76 vs (2007)

Biggest losing margin
 * 98 vs (1999)
 * 79 vs (2023)
 * 64 vs (1987)

Most tries in a tournament
 * 15 – 2023
 * 14 – 2019
 * 13 – 2011

Most tries in a game
 * 9 vs (2011)
 * 7 vs (2019)
 * 7 vs (2023)
 * 7 vs (2019)

Individual records
Most appearances
 * 15 – Sergio Parisse (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019)
 * 14 – Martin Castrogiovanni (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015)
 * 13 – Alessandro Troncon (1995, 1999, 2003, 2007)
 * 13 – Mauro Bergamasco (1999, 2003, 2007, 2011, 2015)
 * 12 – Andrea Masi (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015)

Most points overall
 * 101 – Tommaso Allan (2015, 2019, 2023)
 * 98 – Diego Dominguez (1991, 1995, 1999)
 * 50 – Rima Wakarua (2003)
 * 32 – David Bortolussi (2007)
 * 24 – Mirco Bergamasco (2003, 2007, 2011)

Most points in a game
 * 21 – Diego Dominguez vs (1995)
 * 21 – Rima Wakarua vs (2003)
 * 20 – Diego Dominguez vs (1999)
 * 17 – Tommaso Allan vs (2015)
 * 17 – Tommaso Allan vs (2023)

Most tries overall
 * 5 – Marcello Cuttitta (1987, 1991, 1995)
 * 4 – Paolo Vaccari (1991, 1995, 1999)
 * 3 – Sergio Parisse (2003, 2007, 2011, 2015, 2019)

Most tries in a game
 * 2 – Denis Dallan vs (2003)
 * 2 – Andrea Masi vs (2007)
 * 2 – Giulio Toniolatti vs (2011)
 * 2 – Tommaso Benvenuti vs (2011)

Most penalty goals Most penalty goals in a game
 * 19 – Diego Domínguez (1991, 1995, 1999)
 * 14 – Rima Wakarua (2003)
 * 13 – Tommaso Allan (2015, 2019, 2023)
 * 8 – Mirco Bergamasco (2003, 2007, 2011)
 * 5 – David Bortolussi (2007)
 * 6 – Diego Domínguez vs (1999)
 * 5 – Rima Wakarua vs (2003)
 * 5 – Rima Wakarua vs (2003)
 * 4 – Diego Domínguez vs (1995)
 * 4 – David Bortolussi vs (2007)

Hosting
The Rugby World Cup is held every four years, and tends to alternate between the northern and southern hemispheres. Italy has yet to host the World Cup, although the Italian Rugby Federation made unsuccessful bids for the 2015 and 2019 competitions.