The Canada national rugby union team has played in every Rugby World Cup except 2023 since the inaugural tournament in 1987. [1] Their best performance was in 1991, when they beat Fiji and Romania, qualifying for the quarter-finals, where they lost to New Zealand.
Canada has the second strongest national rugby side in North America after the United States, and the fifth strongest in the Americas after Argentina, the United States, Uruguay and Chile.
Nation | Number of appearances | First appearance | Most recent appearance | Streak | Best result |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Canada | 9 | 1987 | 2019 | 9 | Quarter finals, 1991 |
Year | Round | Position | Played | Won | Draw | Lost | Pts for | Pts against | Pts diff |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1987 | Pool | 9th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 65 | 90 | −25 |
1991 | QF | 7th | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 58 | 64 | −6 |
1995 | Pool | 9th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 45 | 50 | −5 |
1999 | Pool | 9th | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 114 | 82 | +32 |
2003 | Pool | 15th | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 54 | 135 | −81 |
2007 | Pool | 16th | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 51 | 120 | −69 |
2011 | Pool | 12th | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 82 | 168 | −86 |
2015 | Pool | 17th | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 58 | 131 | −73 |
2019 | Pool | 18th | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 177 | −163 |
2023 | Did not qualify | ||||||||
Total | 9/10 | 32 | 7 | 2 | 23 | 541 | 1,017 | −476 |
For the names of all Canada 1987 Rugby World Cup squad members, see 1987 Rugby World Cup squads#Canada.
Pool 2 games -
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Wales | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 31 | +51 | 13 | 6 | Knockout stage |
Ireland | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 84 | 41 | +43 | 11 | 4 | |
Canada | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 65 | 90 | −25 | 8 | 2 | |
Tonga | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 29 | 98 | −69 | 3 | 0 |
24 May 1987 |
Canada | 37–4 [2] [3] | Tonga |
Try: Palmer (2) Vaesen (2) Stuart Frame Penalty try Con: Wyatt (2) Gareth Rees Pen: Rees | Try: Valu |
McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 7,000 Referee: Clive Norling (Wales) |
30 May 1987 |
Canada | 19–46 [4] [5] | Ireland |
Try: Cardinal Pen: Rees (3) Wyatt Drop: Rees | Try: Crossan (2) Bradley Spillane Ringland MacNeill Con: Kiernan (5) Pen: Kiernan (2) Drop: Ward Kiernan |
Carisbrook, Dunedin Attendance: 9,000 Referee: Fred Howard (England) |
3 June 1987 |
Canada | 9–40 [6] [7] | Wales |
Pen: Rees (3) | Try: Evans (4) Devereux Bowen Hadley Phillips Con: Thorburn (4) |
Rugby Park, Invercargill Attendance: 14,000 Referee: Dave Bishop (New Zealand) |
Pool 4 games -
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 82 | 25 | +57 | 6 |
Canada | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 45 | 33 | +12 | 4 |
Romania | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 31 | 64 | −33 | 2 |
Fiji | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 27 | 63 | −36 | 0 |
5 October 1991 |
Canada | 13–3 | Fiji |
Try: Stewart Pen: Rees (3) | Drop: Serevi |
Stade Jean Dauger, Bayonne Referee: Kerry Fitzgerald (Australia) |
9 October 1991 |
Canada | 19–11 | Romania |
Tries: McKinnon, Ennis Con: Mark Wyatt Pen: Wyatt (2) Drop: Rees | Tries: Lungu, Sasu Pen: Nichitean |
Stade Ernest-Wallon, Toulouse Referee: Sandy MacNeill (Australia) |
13 October 1991 |
France | 19–13 | Canada |
Tries: Lafond, Saint-André Con: Camberabero Pen: Lacroix (2), Camberabero | Tries: Wyatt Pen: Wyatt, Rees Drop: Rees |
Stade Armandie, Agen Referee: Stephen Hilditch (Ireland) |
Quarter-final
20 October 1991 |
Canada | 13–29 | New Zealand |
Tries: Tynan, Charron Con: Rees Pen: Wyatt | Tries: Timu (2), McCahill, Brooke, Kirwan Con: Fox (3) Pen: Fox |
Stadium Lille-Metropole, Villeneuve d'Ascq Referee: Fred Howard (England) |
Pool A games -
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
South Africa | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 68 | 26 | +42 | 9 |
Australia | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 87 | 41 | +46 | 7 |
Canada | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 45 | 50 | −5 | 5 |
Romania | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 14 | 97 | −83 | 3 |
26 May 1995 |
Canada | 34–3 | Romania |
Tries: Al Charron, Colin McKenzie, Rod Snow Con: Gareth Rees (2) Pen: Gareth Rees (4) | Pen: Neculai Nichitean |
Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth Attendance: 18,000 Referee: Colin Hawke (New Zealand) |
31 May 1995 |
Australia | 27–11 | Canada |
Tries: Michael Lynagh, Tabua Tamanivalu, Joe Roff Con: Michael Lynagh (3) Pen: Michael Lynagh (2) | Tries: Al Charron Pen: Gareth Rees (2) |
Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth Attendance: 15,000 Referee: Patrick Robin (France) |
3 June 1995 |
South Africa | 20–0 | Canada |
Tries: Adriaan Richter (2) Con: Joel Stransky (2) Pen: Joel Stransky (2) |
Boet Erasmus Stadium, Port Elizabeth Attendance: 31,000 Referee: David McHugh (Ireland) |
Pool 3 games -
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | Pts |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
France | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 108 | 52 | +56 | 9 |
Fiji | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 124 | 68 | +56 | 7 |
Canada | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 114 | 82 | +32 | 5 |
Namibia | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 42 | 186 | −144 | 3 |
2 October 1999 |
France | 33–20 | Canada |
Tries: Émile Ntamack, Stéphane Glas, Thomas Castaignède, Olivier Magne Con: Richard Dourthe (2) Pen: Richard Dourthe (3) | Tries: Morgan Williams (2) Con: Bobby Ross, Gareth Rees Pen: Bobby Ross, Gareth Rees |
Stade de la Méditerranée, Béziers Referee: Brian Campsall (England) |
9 October 1999 |
Fiji | 38–22 | Canada |
Tries: Viliame Satala (2), Marika Vunibaka, Fero Lasagavibau Con: Nicky Little (3) Pen: Nicky Little (3) Drop: Nicky Little | Tries: Mike James Con: Gareth Rees Pen: Gareth Rees (4) Drop: Gareth Rees |
Parc Lescure, Bordeaux Referee: Ed Morrison (England) |
14 October 1999 |
Canada | 72–11 | Namibia |
Tries: Winston Stanley (2), Rod Snow (2), Kyle Nichols (2), Al Charron, Bobby Ross, Morgan Williams Con: Gareth Rees (9) Pen: Gareth Rees (3) | Tries: Quinton Hough Pen: Leandre Van Dyk (2) |
Stadium Municipal, Toulouse Referee: Andrew Cole (Australia) |
Group D games -
Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | BP | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
New Zealand | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 282 | 57 | +225 | 4 | 20 | Quarter-finals |
Wales | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 132 | 98 | +34 | 2 | 14 | |
Italy | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 77 | 123 | −46 | 0 | 8 | |
Canada | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 54 | 135 | −81 | 1 | 5 | |
Tonga | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 46 | 178 | −132 | 1 | 1 |
12 October 2003 |
Wales | 41–10 | Canada |
Tries: Parker, Cooper, M. Jones, Charvis, Thomas Con: Harris (5) Pen: Harris (2) | Tries: Tkachuk Con: Pritchard Drop: Ross |
Telstra Dome, Melbourne Attendance: 24,874 Referee: Chris White (England) |
17 October 2003 |
New Zealand | 68–6 | Canada |
Tries: Ralph (2), So'oialo (2), Muliaina (4), Meeuws, Nonu Con: Carter (9) | Pen: Barker (2) |
Telstra Dome, Melbourne Attendance: 38,899 Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England) |
21 October 2003 |
Italy | 19–14 | Canada |
Tries: Parisse Con: Wakarua Pen: Wakarua (4) | Tries: Fyffe Pen: Barker (3) |
Canberra Stadium Attendance: 20,515 Referee: Paddy O'Brien (New Zealand) |
29 October 2003 |
Canada | 24–7 | Tonga |
Tries: Fauth, Abrams Con: Pritchard Pen: Ross (4) | Tries: Kivalu Con: Hola |
Wollongong Showground, Wollongong Attendance: 15,630 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Australia | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 215 | 41 | +174 | 4 | 20 | Qualified for the quarter-finals |
2 | Fiji | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 114 | 136 | −22 | 3 | 15 | |
3 | Wales | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 168 | 105 | +63 | 4 | 12 | Eliminated, automatic qualification for RWC 2011 |
4 | Japan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 64 | 210 | −146 | 1 | 3 | |
5 | Canada | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 51 | 120 | −69 | 0 | 2 |
9 September 2007 14:00 |
Wales | 42–17 | Canada |
Try: Parker 52' c A. W. Jones 58' c S. Williams (2) 61' m, 63' c Charvis 68' c Con: S. Jones (4/5) Pen: Hook (3/4) 10', 15', 21' | Report | Tries: Cudmore 25' m Culpan 36' c Williams 45' m Con: Pritchard (1/3) |
Stade de la Beaujoire, Nantes Attendance: 37,500 Referee: Alain Rolland (Ireland) |
16 September 2007 14:00 |
Fiji | 29–16 | Canada |
Tries: Leawere 22' c Ratuvou (2) 28' m, 80+' c Delasau 42' c Con: Little (3/4) Pen: Little (1/3) 8' | Report | Tries: Smith 60' c Con: Pritchard (1/1) Pen: Pritchard (3/4) 4', 27', 74' |
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 45,000 Referee: Tony Spreadbury (England) |
25 September 2007 18:00 |
Canada | 12–12 | Japan |
Tries: Riordan 48' m Van der Merwe 65' c Con: Pritchard (1/1) | Report | Tries: Endo 12' m Taira 80+' c Con: Onishi (1/2) |
Stade Chaban-Delmas, Bordeaux Attendance: 33,810 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New Zealand | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 240 | 49 | +191 | 36 | 4 | 20 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2015 Rugby World Cup |
2 | France | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 124 | 96 | +28 | 13 | 3 | 11 | |
3 | Tonga | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 80 | 98 | −18 | 7 | 1 | 9 | Eliminated but qualified for 2015 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Canada | 4 | 1 | 1 | 2 | 82 | 168 | −86 | 9 | 0 | 6 | |
5 | Japan | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 69 | 184 | −115 | 8 | 0 | 2 |
14 September 2011 17:00 |
Tonga | 20–25 | Canada |
Tries: Piutau (2) 40', 52' Con: Morath (2) 41', 53' Pen: Morath (2) 42', 64' | Report | Tries: Sinclair 13' Carpenter 67' Mackenzie 73' Con: Pritchard (2) Pen: Pritchard (2) 26', 45' |
Northland Events Centre, Whangārei Attendance: 24,874 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
18 September 2011 20:30 |
France | 46–19 | Canada |
Tries: Clerc (3) 4', 78', 80+' Traille 64' Con: Parra (4) 5', 64', 80', 80+' Pen: Parra (5) 16', 36', 38', 41', 47' | Report | Tries: Smith 7' Con: Pritchard 7; Pen: Pritchard (2) 2', 60' |
McLean Park, Napier Attendance: 38,899 Referee: Craig Joubert (South Africa) |
27 September 2011 |
Canada | 23–23 | Japan |
Tries: Van der Merwe 6' Mackenzie 44' Monro 75' Con: Pritchard 7' Pen: Monro (2) 63', 78' | Report | Tries: Horie 9' Endo 39' Con: Arlidge (2) 10', 40' Pen: Arlidge (3) 23', 65', 72' |
Canberra Stadium Attendance: 20,515 Referee: Jonathan Kaplan (South Africa) |
2 October 2011 |
New Zealand | 79–15 | Canada |
Tries: Guildford (4) 7', 24', 35', 76' Vito (2) 11', 80' Dagg 20' Muliaina 29' Cowan 44' Kaino (2) 51', 67' Williams 59' Con: Slade (4) 8', 30', 45', 52' Weepu (4) 61', 68', 78', 80' Pen: Slade (1/1) 15' | Report | Tries: Trainor (2) 40', 42' Con: Monro 42' Pen: Monro 2' |
Wellington Regional Stadium, Wellington Attendance: 37,665 Referee: Romain Poite (France) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | Ireland | 4 | 4 | 0 | 0 | 134 | 35 | +99 | 16 | 2 | 18 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2019 Rugby World Cup |
2 | France | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 120 | 63 | +57 | 12 | 2 | 14 | |
3 | Italy | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 74 | 88 | −14 | 7 | 2 | 10 | Eliminated but qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Romania | 4 | 1 | 0 | 3 | 60 | 129 | −69 | 7 | 0 | 4 | |
5 | Canada | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 58 | 131 | −73 | 7 | 2 | 2 |
19 September 2015 14:30 |
Ireland | 50–7 | Canada |
Try: O'Brien 18' c Henderson 25' c Sexton 28' m D. Kearney 35' c Cronin 66' c R. Kearney 73' c Payne 76' c Con: Sexton (3/4) 19',26', 37' Madigan (3/3) 67', 74', 77' Pen: Sexton (1/1) 14' | Report | Try: Van der Merwe 68' c Con: Hirayama (1/1) 69' |
Millennium Stadium, Cardiff Attendance: 68,523 Referee: Glen Jackson (New Zealand) |
26 September 2015 14:30 |
Italy | 23–18 | Canada |
Try: Rizzo 17' c Garcia 58' c Con: Allan (2/2) 18', 59' Pen: Allan (3/3) 25', 40', 80' | Report | Try: Van der Merwe 15' c Evans 44' m Con: Hirayama (1/2) 16' Pen: Hirayama (2/3) 14', 72' |
Elland Road, Leeds Attendance: 33,120 Referee: George Clancy (Ireland) |
1 October 2015 20:00 |
France | 41–18 | Canada |
Try: Fofana 4' c Guirado 28' c Slimani 38' c Papé 67' c Grosso 74' c Con: Michalak (4/4) 5', 30', 39', 67' Parra (1/1) 76' Pen: Michalak (2/2) 14', 59' | Report | Try: Van der Merwe 31' c Carpenter 34' m Con: Hirayama (1/2) 32' Pen: Hirayama (2/2) 42', 56' |
Stadium mk, Milton Keynes Attendance: 28,145 Referee: JP Doyle (England) |
6 October 2015 16:45 |
Canada | 15–17 | Romania |
Try: Van der Merwe 33' m Hassler 44' c Con: Hirayama (1/1) 45' Pen: McRorie (1/4) 11' | Report | Try: Macovei (2) 53' c, 74' c Con: Vlaicu (2/2) 54', 75' Pen: Vlaicu (1/2) 78' |
Leicester City Stadium, Leicester Attendance: 27,156 Referee: Wayne Barnes (England) |
Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | PF | PA | PD | T | B | Pts | Qualification |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | New Zealand | 4 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 157 | 22 | +135 | 22 | 2 | 16 | Advanced to the quarter-finals and qualified for the 2023 Rugby World Cup |
2 | South Africa | 4 | 3 | 0 | 1 | 185 | 36 | +149 | 27 | 3 | 15 | |
3 | Italy | 4 | 2 | 1 | 1 | 98 | 78 | +20 | 14 | 2 | 12 | Eliminated but qualified for 2023 Rugby World Cup |
4 | Namibia | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 34 | 175 | −141 | 3 | 0 | 2 | |
5 | Canada | 4 | 0 | 1 | 3 | 14 | 177 | −163 | 2 | 0 | 2 |
26 September 2019 16:45 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) Italy | 48–7 | Canada |
Try: Steyn 8' c Budd 13' c Negri 44' c Penalty try 59' Bellini 62' m Zani 73' c Minozzi 79' m Con: Allan (3/4) 9', 14', 45' Canna (1/2) 74' Pen: Allan (1/1) 3' | Report | Try: Coe 69' c Con: Nelson (1/1) 71' |
Fukuoka Hakatanomori Stadium, Fukuoka Attendance: 16,984 Referee: Nigel Owens (Wales) |
2 October 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) New Zealand | 63–0 | Canada |
Try: Penalty try 5' J. Barrett 9' c Williams 17' c B. Barrett 36' c Ioane 41' c S. Barrett 45' c Frizell 47' c Weber (2) 50' c, 57' c Con: Mo'unga (8/8) 10', 19', 37', 43', 46', 49', 51', 59' | Report |
Oita Stadium, Ōita Attendance: 34,411 Referee: Romain Poite (France) |
8 October 2019 19:15 JST (UTC+09) |
(1 BP) South Africa | 66–7 | Canada |
Try: de Allende 3' c Nkosi 6' m Reinach (3) 10' c, 18' c, 21' c Gelant 28' c Steyn 40'+1 c Brits 55' c Willemse 66' c Malherbe 73' m Con: E. Jantjies (8/10) 3', 12', 20', 22', 29', 40'+2, 56', 68' | Report | Try: Heaton 46' c Con: Nelson (1/1) 48' |
Kobe Misaki Stadium, Kobe Attendance: 28,014 Referee: Luke Pearce (England) |
13 October 2019 12:15 JST (UTC+09) |
Namibia | 0–0 (Cancelled) | Canada |
Kamaishi Recovery Memorial Stadium, Kamaishi Referee: Paul Williams (New Zealand) |
Notes:
Opponent | Played | Win | Draw | Lost | Win % |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Ireland | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
Wales | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
Tonga | 3 | 3 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
Fiji | 3 | 1 | 0 | 2 | 34% |
France | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
Romania | 3 | 2 | 0 | 1 | 67% |
South Africa | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
Australia | 2 | 0 | 0 | 2 | 0% |
Namibia | 1 | 1 | 0 | 0 | 100% |
New Zealand | 4 | 0 | 0 | 4 | 0% |
Italy | 3 | 0 | 0 | 3 | 0% |
Japan | 2 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 0% |
Overall | 32 | 7 | 2 | 23 | 22% |
The Namibia national rugby union team represents Namibia in men's international rugby union competitions nicknamed the Welwitschias, are a tier-two nation in the World Rugby tier system, and have participated in seven Rugby World Cup competitions since their first appearance in 1999. They are governed by the Namibia Rugby Union.
The 1987 Rugby World Cup was the first Rugby World Cup. It was co-hosted by New Zealand and Australia – New Zealand hosted 21 matches while Australia hosted 11 matches. The tournament was won by New Zealand, who were the strong favourites and won all their matches comfortably. New Zealand defeated France 29–9 in the final at Eden Park in Auckland. The New Zealand team was captained by David Kirk and included such rugby greats as Sean Fitzpatrick, John Kirwan, Grant Fox and Michael Jones. Wales finished third, and Australia fourth, after conceding crucial tries in the dying seconds of both their semi-final against France and the third-place play-off against Wales.
The Fiji national rugby union team represents Fiji in men's international rugby union. Fiji competed in the Pacific Tri-Nations and now competes in its successor tournament Pacific Nations Cup. Fiji also regularly plays test matches during the June and November test windows. They have beaten the major rugby playing sides of Wales, Scotland, Australia, France, Italy, Argentina and England. The only major sides Fiji are yet to beat are New Zealand, South Africa and Ireland.
The Tonga national rugby union team represents the Tonga Rugby Union in men's international rugby union. The team is nicknamed ʻIkale Tahi . Like their Polynesian neighbours, the Tongans start their matches with a traditional challenge – the Sipi Tau. They are members of the Pacific Islands Rugby Alliance (PIRA) along with Fiji and Samoa. The Ikale Tahi achieved a historic 19–14 victory over France in the 2011 Rugby World Cup, but having lost to New Zealand and Canada, were unable to achieve what would have been their first-ever presence at the quarter-finals.
The Canada men's national rugby union team represents the Canada in men's international rugby union competitions. They are overseen by Rugby Canada the governing body of rugby union in Canada.
Alan Charron is a former Canadian rugby union rugby player. He played 2nd row and all three loose forward positions at club and international level back-row forward and was capped 76 times for the Canadian national team, the Canucks. In fact he also played briefly in a game at prop when his team was shorthanded after injuries and send-offs suffered by his teammates. He played club rugby for the Ottawa Irish (amateur), professionally in England at Moseley Rugby Football club and Bristol as well as in France at Pau and Dax. Represented the Eastern Ontario union for many years winning the National interbranch championship in 1992 and winning the National provincial championships twice with Ontario in 1995 and 1996.
The Georgia national rugby union team has competed in five consecutive Rugby World Cup tournaments. Starting in 2003, they were placed in Pool C with eventual winners England, South Africa, Uruguay and Samoa, where they lost all four matches. Georgia qualified for the 2007 World Cup and were placed in Pool D with Argentina, France, Ireland and Namibia, where they beat Namibia. In 2011 Rugby World Cup, Georgia qualified for their third straight tournament. They were placed in Pool B with Scotland, England, Argentina and Romania and won the game against rivals Romania. Their best performance was in 2015 tournament, when they were drawn against eventual world champions New Zealand, Argentina, Tonga and Namibia. Georgia won games against Tonga and Namibia, finished third in the group and automatically qualified for 2019 Rugby World Cup.
The Australia national rugby union team, known as the Wallabies, has played in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. They have won the World Cup on two occasions; only New Zealand and South Africa have won more. Australia has hosted or co-hosted the tournament twice – in 1987 and 2003, and is scheduled to host it in 2027.
Scotland have played in every Rugby World Cup since the inaugural tournament in 1987.
Argentina have competed in all the Rugby World Cup tournaments, starting with the inaugural 1987 tournament.
Namibia has competed in seven Rugby World Cup tournaments, having qualified as the African representative. The Namibian rugby union team, nicknamed the Welwitschias after the Namibian national symbol, made their first appearance at the Rugby World Cup in 1999 and appeared at the following six tournaments. Namibia has so far played 26 games at that cup without ever winning one.
Uruguay has competed in five Rugby World Cup tournaments: 1999, 2003, 2015, 2019, and 2023.
The Rugby World Cup is a rugby union tournament held every four years and contested by the men's national teams of the member unions of World Rugby. The Wales national rugby union team has participated in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. Up to and including 2015, hosting of the tournament alternated between traditional rugby heartlands in the southern hemisphere and those in Europe. Wales was the primary host in 1999, with Cardiff's Millennium Stadium built to coincide with the event, and the other three tournaments played in Europe have also used venues in Wales to some degree. Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and its predecessor, the Cardiff Arms Park, will have hosted a total 21 matches over a total of four World Cups. This is the largest number of World Cup games hosted by one venue.
The Ireland national rugby union team have played in all ten Rugby World Cup tournaments. They have reached the quarter-finals at all but two tournaments, but have yet to progress to the semi-finals. They have finished top of their pool on three occasions.
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.
The Tonga national rugby union team has played in all Rugby World Cup tournaments, except in 1991, when they did not qualify. Their best performances were in the 2007 and 2011 tournaments, when they won two matches. Their best single match win was an upset victory in 2011 over eventual finalists France.
This article documents the statistics of the 2015 Rugby World Cup which took place in England from 18 September to 31 October.
This article documents the statistics of the 2019 Rugby World Cup which was held in Japan from 20 September to 2 November.
This article documents the statistics of the 2023 Rugby World Cup that was held in France from 8 September to 28 October.
Works cited