These are men's team records in international rugby, updated at the conclusion of the November Internationals window each year.
To view men's individual records, see International rugby union player records. To view records of the men's Rugby World Cup, see Records and statistics of the Rugby World Cup.
World Rugby Ranking leaders
Team
World Rankings
Highest rankings
Below is a list of the best and worst ranking positions for all nations who have ever been ranked among the top ten, since the ranking tables were first published on the 13 October 2003: TeamBestWorstRankYear(s)RankYear(s) 1 2003, 2004–07, 2008, 2008-2009, 2009–19, 2019, 2021, 2025, 2026 5 2022 1 2007–08, 2008, 2009, 2019–21, 2021-22, 2023–24, 2024–25, 2025-2026 7 2017, 2018 1 2003, 2003–04, 2019 8 2009, 2015–16, 2023 1 2019, 2022–23, 2024 9 2013 1 2022 10 2018, 2019 1 2019 14 2025 2 2003, 2004–05, 2007, 2008,2010, 2011–12, 2015–16 10 2023, 2024 3 2007–08 12 2014 5 2017, 2017–18, 2018, 2023 12 2012, 2013, 2015 7 2023 16 2011–2012 7 2012–2013 20 2026 7 2019 20 2003–2004, 2006 8 2007, 2024 15 2015, 2017, 2018, 2019, 2020, 2021 9 2011–2012 20 2005–2006
Most World Ranking points
Below is a list of the Top 10 most accumulated ranking points and corresponding fewest ranking points, since the ranking tables were first published on 13 October 2003.
TeamMostFewestRating pointsDate achievedRating pointsDate achieved 96.57 10 October 2016 85.79 29 August 2022 94.86 08 July 2024 80.63 20 October 2003 93.99 24 November 2003 77.79 17 September 2007 93.79 25 September 2023 77.25 16 June 2008 91.75 26 October 2015 76.5025 September 2023 90.59 11 September 2023 77.02 4 February 2019 89.96 18 March 2019 72.65 7 July 2025 87.45 22 October 2007 73.97 23 June 2014 84.43 26 February 2018 72.91 14 November 2005 82.08 14 October 2019 61.42 3 November 2003
Longest tenure ranked at No. 1
England were ranked as No. 1 when the rankings were introduced in late 2003. New Zealand hold the record for the longest run as the No. 1 world ranked team, spending just less than three months short of 10 years uninterrupted atop the rankings. South Africa currently top the world rankings. Not shown on the table, but the other nations to have been ranked No. 1, are Wales, spending two weeks in the top spot in 2019, before relinquishing the No. 1 spot to New Zealand, and France, who held No. 1 for a week in 2022. Tenures are correct as of the last ranking update on 8 September 2025.
+Tenures at No. 1 Tenure Team Preceded by Succeeded by 3563d (9y9m3d) 16 November 2009 128 19 August 2019 36–0 1225d (3y4m8d) 14 June 2004 47 22 October 2007 18–20 658d (1y9m19d) 4 November 2019 5 18 September 2021 17–30 455d (1y2m28d) 18 July 2022 16 16 October 2023 24–28 343d (11m9d) 18 August 2008 16 27 July 2009 19–28 343d (11m7d) 16 October 2023 11 23 September 2024 28–29 280d (9m7d) 4 October 2021 5 11 July 2022 12–13 280d (9m7d) 11 November 2024 5 18 August 2025 22–38 259d (8m15d) 22 October 2007 5 7 July 2008 8–19 210d (6m28d) 17 November 2003 7 14 June 2004 3–36 Nations in bold indicate the tenure is ongoing.
South Africa did not play any matches in the 2020 calendar year due to complications faced with preparation and travel as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Amongst South Africa's matches in their 2019-2021 tenure at No. 1 are three matches against British & Irish Lions, which do not affect ranking points. Key: y = years, m = months, d = days.
Most matches played ranked at No. 1
New Zealand hold the record for the most matches played whilst defending the No. 1 World Ranking, playing 128 matches during that time. South Africa currently top the world rankings. Not shown on the table, but the other nations to have been ranked No. 1, are Wales, spending two weeks in the top spot in 2019, before relinquishing the No. 1 spot to New Zealand, and France who held No. 1 for a week in 2022. Tenures are correct as of 27 January 2025.
+Matches at No. 1 Team Tenure Preceded by Succeeded by 128 16 November 2009 3563d (9y9m3d) 19 August 2019 36–0 47 14 June 2004 1225d (3y4m8d) 22 October 2007 18–20 16 18 July 2022 455d (1y2m28d) 16 October 2023 24–28 16 18 August 2008 343d (11m9d) 27 July 2009 19–28 11 16 October 2023 343d (11m7d) 23 September 2024 28–29 7 17 November 2003 210d (6m28d) 14 June 2004 3–36 6 27 July 2009 112d (3m20d) 16 November 2009 13–20 Nations in bold indicate the tenure is ongoing.
Key: y = years, m = months, d = days.
All-time
Most matches
+Most tests played Matches Team Wins Lost Drawn 840 1906 467 339 34 % 818 1871 457 309 52 % 813 1881 409 374 30 % 773 1875 373 368 32 % 770 1871 341 396 33 % 711 1899 352 337 22 % 664 1903 509 132 23 % 575 1929 209 351 15 % 569 1891 365 180 24 % 515 1929 257 244 14 %
Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 nations.
Up to date as of 15 March 2026
Most wins
+Most tests won Wins Team Matches Lost Drawn 509 1903 664 132 23 % 467 1906 840 339 34 % 457 1871 818 309 52 % 409 1881 813 374 30 % 373 1875 773 368 32 % 365 1891 569 180 24 % 352 1899 711 337 22 % 341 1871 770 396 33 % 282 1919 509 215 12 % 257 1929 515 244 14 %
Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 nations.
Up to date as of 15 March 2026
Most points
+Most team points Points Team Matches 19,035 1903 664 9,276 +9,759 16,431 1906 831 13,329 +3,102 15,146 1899 711 13,270 +1,876 15,079 1871 818 11,056 +4,023 14,513 1881 813 13,400 +1,113 14,213 1910 515 11,030 +3,183 13,918 1891 569 9,273 +4,645 12,923 1875 773 11,192 +1,731 12,020 1871 770 12,073 -53 11,422 1919 509 9,925 +1,497 Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 nations.
Up to date as of 15 March 2026
Most consecutive wins
+Most consecutive team wins Wins Team Score 24 20 November 2008 1 November 2014 15 November 2014 20–39 18 15 August 2015 22 October 2016 5 November 2016 29–40 10 October 2015 11 March 2017 18 March 2017 9–13 17 9 July 2022 07 October 2023 14 October 2023 24–28 18 September 1965 14 June 1969 25 May 1970 6–17 23 August 1997 28 November 1998 5 December 1998 7–13 8 June 2013 21 June 2014 4 October 2014 25–27 28 October 2006 24 April 2010 8 May 2010 16–27 16 9 September 2011 06 October 2012 20 October 2012 18–18 15 8 October 1994 02 July 1996 13 July 1996 16–21 13 August 2005 26 August 2006 2 September 2006 20–21 19 September 2009 11 September 2010 30 October 2010 24–26 Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 or Tier 3 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 or 3 nations.
Most consecutive wins by a Tier I nation
+Most consecutive team wins by a Tier I nation Wins Team Score 18 15 August 2015 22 October 2016 5 November 2016 29–40 10 October 2015 11 March 2017 18 March 2017 9–13 17 18 September 1965 14 June 1969 25 May 1970 6–17 23 August 1997 28 November 1998 5 December 1998 7–13 8 June 2013 21 June 2014 4 October 2014 25–27 9 July 2022 07 October 2023 14 October 2023 24–28 16 9 September 2011 06 October 2012 20 October 2012 18–18 15 8 October 1994 02 July 1996 13 July 1996 16–21 13 August 2005 26 August 2006 2 September 2006 20–21 19 September 2009 11 September 2010 30 October 2010 24–26
Most consecutive matches without loss
+Most consecutive team matches without loss Matches Team Score Score 24 20 November 2008 15 November 2014 20–39 23 22 May 1987 16 July 1988 19–19 18 August 1990 9–21 22 8 June 2013 16 August 2014 12–12 4 October 2014 25–27 20 9 September 2011 20 October 2012 18–18 1 December 2012 21–38 18 15 August 2015 5 November 2016 29–40 10 October 2015 18 March 2017 9–13 17 22 July 1961 25 August 1962/18 January 1964 9–9/0–0 / 29 August 1964 5–20 18 September 1965 25 May 1970 6–17 23 August 1997 5 December 1998 7–13 28 October 2006 8 May 2010 16–27 9 July 2022 14 October 2023 24–28 Nations in italics are classed as Tier 2 or Tier 3 since the beginning of the professional era (Aug. 1995), and primarily play other Tier 2 or 3 nations. New Zealand recorded multiple draws in its unbeaten run, as shown.
Most consecutive matches without loss by a Tier I nation
+Most consecutive team matches without loss by a Tier I nation Matches Team Score Score 23 22 May 1987 16 July 1988 19–19 18 August 1990 9–21 22 8 June 2013 16 August 2014 12–12 4 October 2014 25–27 20 9 September 2011 20 October 2012 18–18 1 December 2012 21–38 18 15 August 2015 5 November 2016 29–40 10 October 2015 18 March 2017 9–13 17 22 July 1961 9–90–0 29 August 1964 5–20 18 September 1965 25 May 1970 6–17 23 August 1997 5 December 1998 7–13 9 July 2022 14 October 2023 24–28 16 6 August 1994 08 October 1994 18–18 13 July 1996 16–21 New Zealand and South Africa both recorded multiple draws in their unbeaten runs, as shown.
Most consecutive matches without a win
+Most consecutive team matches without a win Matches Team 27 22 November 1982 16 July 1997 19 4 June 1955 1975 18 14 October 2023 5 July 2025 28 January 1911 17 February 1920 29 October 2005 TBD TBD 17 24 February 1951 8 January 1955 16 July 1983 19 August 1991 16 9 February 1936 New Zealand Universities 4 October 1959 Oxford & Cambridge 12 November 2005 19 April 2008 4 October 2019 13 November 2021 Nations in italics were classed as Tier 2 or Tier 3 at the time of their losing streak, and primarily played other Tier 2 or 3 nations.
Most consecutive matches without a win by a tier I nation
+Most consecutive team matches without a win by a Tier I nation Matches Team 18 14 October 2023 5 July 2025 28 January 1911 17 February 1920 17 24 February 1951 8 January 1955 16 4 October 2019 13 November 2021 14 18 May 1924 26 February 1927 13 28 January 1882 20 February 1886 5 March 1977 2 February 1980 8 November 2008 13 November 2009 12 22 July 1899 British Lions 12 December 1908 1 January 1906 28 March 1910
Highest match attendance
+Top 10 highest attendances Attendance Stadium Country Team 1 Result Team 2 Date Ref. 109,874 ANZ Stadium Sydney, Australia 35–39 15 July 2000 107,042 ANZ Stadium Sydney, Australia 28–7 28 August 1999 104,000 Murrayfield Stadium Edinburgh, Scotland 12–10 1 March 1975 95,000 Dinamo Stadion Bucharest, Romania 15–18 19 May 1957 94,713 FNB Stadium Johannesburg, South Africa 22–29 21 August 2010 90,978 ANZ Stadium Sydney, Australia 29–26 1 September 2001 90,307 Melbourne Cricket Ground Melbourne, Australia 26–29 26 July 2025 90,119 Melbourne Cricket Ground Melbourne, Australia 18–33 26 July 1997 103,000 Ellis Park Johannesburg, South Africa 22–23 6 August 1955 89,267 Wembley Stadium London, England 44–10 27 September 2015 89,019 Wembley Stadium London, England 16–26 20 September 2015
Rugby World Cup
RWC titles
+Most titles won Team Titles Tournaments 4 1995, 2007, 2019, 2023 50% (RSA did not play in 1987 & 1991 World Cups) 3 1987, 2011, 2015 30% 2 1991, 1999 20% 1 2003 10%
RWC tournament points
+Most points by a team in a single tournament Points Team Tournament Matches Won Lost Draw 361 2003 7 6 1 0 +260 51.6 345 2003 7 6 1 0 +267 49.3 327 1995 6 5 1 0 +208 54.5 2003 7 7 0 0 +239 46.7 2007 5 4 1 0 +272 65.4 301 2011 7 7 0 0 +229 43.0 298 1987 6 6 0 0 +246 49.7
RWC tournament tries
+Most tries by a team in a single tournament Tries Team Tournament Matches 52 2003 7 7.4 48 2007 5 9.6 43 1987 6 7.2 2003 7 6.1 41 1995 6 6.8 40 2011 7 5.7
RWC tournament conversions
+Most conversions by a team in a single tournament Conversions Team Tournament Matches 40 2003 7 5.7 36 2007 5 7.2 34 1995 6 5.7 32 2003 7 4.630 1987 6 5.0
RWC tournament penalties
+Most penalties by a team in a single tournament Penalties Team Tournament Matches 32 1999 5 6.426 1995 6 4.3 1999 5 5.225 1995 6 4.2 2015 7 3.6 23 2003 7 3.322 1999 6 3.7 2003 7 3.1
RWC tournament drop goals