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.
By position
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
2023 France
Individual Records Gavin Hastings is by far the most successful Scottish world cup player, and has gained a number of records.
Points +Most overall points in final stages Points Name CountryRefers to country that player represented in the World Cup. App. Tries Con. Pen. Drop. Tournament 227 Gavin Hastings (second position) 13 9 39 36 – 1987, 1991, 1995 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 Against Played Win Draw Lost Win % 2 0 0 2 0% 2 0 0 2 0% 2 0 0 2 0% 1 1 0 0 100% 3 0 1 2 0% 1 1 0 0 100% 3 1 0 2 33% 1 1 0 0 100% 1 1 0 0 100% 4 3 0 1 75% 5 0 0 5 0% 1 1 0 0 100% 4 4 0 0 100% 1 1 0 0 100% 4 4 0 0 100% 3 0 0 3 0% 1 1 0 0 100% 2 2 0 0 100% 2 2 0 0 100% 1 1 0 0 100% 2 2 0 0 100% Overall 46 26 1 19 57%
RWC qualifying countries which Scotland has not played at the tournament include Canada, Wales and Namibia.
Miscellaneous 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.
See also History of the Rugby World Cup National team appearances in the Rugby World Cup
References Davies, Gerald (2004) The History of the Rugby World Cup (Sanctuary Publishing Ltd, () Farr-Jones, Nick, (2003). Story of the Rugby World Cup, Australian Post Corporation, ()