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.

Points

 * Key: App = Appearances. Con = conversions. Pen = penalties. Drop = drop goals.

Conversions
Most overall conversions in final stages
 * Gavin Hastings 39 (1987–1995)

Penalty goals
Most penalties in a match
 * Gavin Hastings 8 (v Tonga, 1995)

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

Draws

 * 20–20 (1987)

Nil points

 * 89–0  (1995)
 * 48–0 (1999)
 * 42–0 (2007)
 * 0–40 (2007)
 * 34–0 (2019)
 * 61–0 (2019)
 * 84–0 (2023)

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.