Switzerland national rugby union team

Last updated
Switzerland
Swiss Rugby Logo.png
NicknameEdelweiss (The White Flowers)
Emblem Edelweiss
Union Fédération Suisse de Rugby
Head coachOlivier Nier
CaptainCyril Lin
Home stadiumTBC
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
First colours
Kit left arm.svg
Kit body.svg
Kit right arm.svg
Kit shorts.svg
Kit socks long.svg
Second colours
World Rugby ranking
Current29 (as of 16 July 2025)
Highest26 (2023)
Lowest67 (2010)
First international
Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg   Switzerland 4–23 Portugal  Flag of Portugal (official).svg
(Neuchâtel, Switzerland; 11 April 1973)
Biggest win
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 9–90 Switzerland  Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg
(Pernik, Bulgaria; 14 October 2000)
Biggest defeat
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 110–0 Switzerland  Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg
(Tbilisi, Georgia; 1 February 2025)
Website www.suisserugby.com

The Switzerland national rugby union team, [1] nicknamed The White Flowers (Edelweiss), currently competes in the second division of the Rugby Europe International Championships in the Rugby Europe Trophy, a competition which is just below the Rugby Europe Championship where the top six countries in Europe (apart from the teams in the Six Nations) compete. They are yet to participate in any Rugby World Cup. They often play in all red, while their alternative kit is all white.

Contents

History

Switzerland played their first ever international rugby match on April 11, 1973 in Neuchâtel against Portugal, losing 23–4. The following year they lost 10–18 to Belgium, and were then defeated by them 33–3 in 1975. After the second lost to Belgium, Switzerland won their first international rugby match; defeating Serbia-Montenegro 12–3 in Geneva. The only other win for Switzerland during the 1970s was a 7–4 victory over Luxembourg in 1977. In 1979 they were defeated 43–0 by Morocco and 31–0 by Portugal.

They however bounced back in 1980, defeating Luxembourg 10–7 in Berne, though they then lost close matches against Sweden and Belgium, and were again held to nil by Portugal in 1981, but got a victory over Denmark later that year. After losing to Belgium and Sweden in 1982, they then scored 60 unanswered points against Finland. They then lost nine games in a row from 1982 to 1986, then defeating Serbia-Montenegro 5–0 in May 1986.

In 1989, Switzerland attempted to qualify for the 1991 Rugby World Cup in England, playing in the European tournament – Round 2A. They finished third in the final standings of the round, winning one of their three fixtures. Switzerland also participated in the qualifying tournaments for the 1995 Rugby World Cup in South Africa, making it past the preliminary round from the west group, but not advancing past Round 1.

Switzerland finished third (out of six nations) in Pool 1 of Round 1 of the European qualification tournaments for the 1999 Rugby World Cup in Wales, winning and drawing one game out of four fixtures. Switzerland had more success in the qualifying tournaments for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, finishing at the top of Pool B in Round 1 and advancing to Round 2, but were unable to advance to Round 3. In attempting to qualify for the 2007 Rugby World Cup in France, Switzerland finished fourth in Pool D of Round 2 of the European qualification process.

Switzerland also failed to qualify for the 2011 or 2015 Rugby World Cups.

In 2016 Switzerland reached the second division (Rugby Europe Trophy, formerly Division 1B) of the ENC for the first time since the divisional structure was implemented in 2000, after winning Division 2A over the 2014-16 two-year cycle.

Record

World Cup

World Cup record width=1% rowspan=25) World Cup Qualification record
YearRoundPWDLFAPWDLFA
Flag of Australia (converted).svg Flag of New Zealand.svg 1987 Not InvitedNot Invited
Flag of the United Kingdom.svg IRFU flag.svg Flag of France.svg 1991 did not qualify31024974
Flag of South Africa.svg 1995 510420122
Flag of Wales (1959-present).svg 1999 41124050
Flag of Australia (converted).svg 2003 9504297171
Flag of France.svg 2007 41127751
Flag of New Zealand.svg 2011 620479102
Flag of England.svg 2015 43019275
Flag of Japan.svg 2019 5302140122
Flag of France.svg 2023 Automatically eliminated
Total0/90000004017221794767

European Competitions Since 2000

SeasonDivision G W D L PF PA +/− Pts Pos
2000 European Nations Cup Third Division 41034760-1363rd
2002-04 European Nations Cup Second Division Pool B 853014595+50211st
2004-06 European Nations Cup Third Division Pool A 41033487-5383rd
2006-08 European Nations Cup Third Division 3A 8404150129+24163rd
2008-10 European Nations Cup Third Division 3A 720579112-33115th
2010-12 European Nations Cup Second Division 2B 870125377+176341st
2012-14 European Nations Cup Second Division 2A 8413170159+11212nd
2014-16 European Nations Cup Second Division 2A 8701223120+103331st
2016-17 Rugby Europe Trophy 5302140122+18133rd
2017-18 Rugby Europe Trophy 5203109122-13114th
2018-19 Rugby Europe Trophy 5302108138-20123rd
2019-20 Rugby Europe Trophy 52219352+41142nd
2021-22* Rugby Europe Trophy 5203120117+394th
2022-23* Rugby Europe Trophy 440020572+133201st
2023-24* Rugby Europe Trophy 550019864+134221st
2025* 2025 Rugby Europe Championship 410438281-24307th
  1. Change from the previous week
Switzerland's historical rankings
See or edit source data.
Source: World Rugby [2]
Graph updated to 7 July 2025

Overall

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Switzerland national XV at test level up until 1 March 2025, updated after match with Flag of Germany.svg  Germany.

OpponentPlayedWonDrawnLostWin %ForAgaDiff
Flag of Andorra.svg  Andorra 760185.71%14288+54
Flag of Armenia.svg  Armenia 530260%107106+1
Flag of Austria.svg  Austria 3300100%7932+47
Flag of Belgium (civil).svg  Belgium 14401028.57%155282–127
Flag of Bosnia and Herzegovina.svg  Bosnia and Herzegovina 1100100%436+37
Flag of Bulgaria.svg  Bulgaria 5500100%23036+194
Flag of Croatia.svg  Croatia 1180372.73%270174+96
Flag of the Czech Republic.svg  Czech Republic 830537.5%127152–25
Flag of Denmark.svg  Denmark 1032530%152180–28
Flag of Finland.svg  Finland 1100100%600+60
Flag of Georgia.svg  Georgia 20020%21132–111
Flag of Germany.svg  Germany 820625%110214–104
Flag of Hungary.svg  Hungary 1100100%6123+38
Flag of Israel.svg  Israel 752071.43%17164+107
Flag of Cote d'Ivoire.svg  Ivory Coast 211050%3633+3
Flag of Latvia.svg  Latvia 410325%3482–48
Flag of Lithuania.svg  Lithuania 950455.56%246185+61
Flag of Luxembourg.svg  Luxembourg 5500100%9529+66
Flag of Malta.svg  Malta 530260%9379+14
Flag of Moldova.svg  Moldova 2200100%5146+5
Flag of Monaco.svg  Monaco 110050%2016+4
Flag of Morocco.svg  Morocco 10010%043–43
Flag of the Netherlands.svg  Netherlands 90180%128308–180
Flag of Norway.svg  Norway 1100100%3012+18
Flag of Poland.svg  Poland 730442.86%14872–24
Flag of Portugal (official).svg  Portugal 70070%45232–187
Flag of Serbia.svg  Serbia 18511227.78%199240–41
Flag of Slovenia.svg  Slovenia 531160%17668+108
Flag of Spain.svg  Spain 20020%1383–70
Flag of Sweden.svg  Sweden 820625%133143–10
Flag of Tunisia.svg  Tunisia 20020%643–37
Flag of Ukraine.svg  Ukraine 640266.67%220118+102
Total1778188845.76%34013321+80

Match Record

Current squad

The following players have been selected for the 2022–23 Rugby Europe Trophy. [3]

Caps update: 22 November 2021

Note: Flags indicate national union for the club/province as defined by World Rugby.

Player Position Date of birth (age)CapsClub/province
Reuben Bachofner-Brown Prop (1996-05-02) 2 May 1996 (age 29)1 Flag of England.svg Hornets RFC
Maximiliano Ducommun Prop (1992-03-20) 20 March 1992 (age 33)3 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Nyon RC
Cameron Holestein Prop (1995-03-11) 11 March 1995 (age 30)3 Flag of England.svg Hartpury University
Vincent Vial Prop (1994-06-21) 21 June 1994 (age 31)14 Flag of France.svg CS Vienne
Alexandre Grillon Prop (1992-02-14) 14 February 1992 (age 33)2 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Lausanne University
Dominic Gorman Prop (1997-11-23) 23 November 1997 (age 27)17 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Yverdon RC
Nathan Pelsy Hooker (1997-03-07) 7 March 1997 (age 28)18 Flag of France.svg US Annecy
Maxime Luçon Hooker (1991-07-19) 19 July 1991 (age 33)30 Flag of France.svg CA Pontarlier
Manu Ronza Hooker (1997-04-02) 2 April 1997 (age 28)13 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Lausanne University
Andri Koeferli Hooker (1999-09-04) 4 September 1999 (age 25)3 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg GC Zürich
Christian Rohrig Lock (1990-12-07) 7 December 1990 (age 34)10 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg GC Zürich
Ben Bodinham Lock (1991-06-07) 7 June 1991 (age 34)5 Flag of England.svg Oxford Quins R.F.C.
Romin Vivarie Lock (1992-11-18) 18 November 1992 (age 32)2 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Lausanne University
Antoine Salino Back row (2000-11-15) 15 November 2000 (age 24)2 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Servette RC
Tim Vögtli Back row (1994-06-13) 13 June 1994 (age 31)23 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg GC Zürich
George Hallam Back row (2003-04-26) 26 April 2003 (age 22)2 Flag of England.svg Coventry Academy
Cyril Lin (c) Back row (1984-08-17) 17 August 1984 (age 40)42 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Nyon RC
Nicolas Lugeon Back row (1994-06-09) 9 June 1994 (age 31)5 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Stade Lausanne RC
Ahmed Kane Back row (2001-07-05) 5 July 2001 (age 24)2 Flag of France.svg Lyon
William Meyer Scrum-half (2000-09-28) 28 September 2000 (age 24)6 Flag of France.svg Rumilly
Simon Perrod Scrum-half (1990-07-14) 14 July 1990 (age 35)36 Flag of France.svg Drancy RC
Donovan O'Grady Scrum-half (1993-02-16) 16 February 1993 (age 32)16 Flag of England.svg Eton Manor RFC
Jules Porcher Fly-half (1998-07-01) 1 July 1998 (age 27)9 Flag of France.svg RC Aubenas Vals
Jess Roberson Centre (1992-08-04) 4 August 1992 (age 32)4 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg GC Zürich
Tommaso Volta Centre (2000-01-11) 11 January 2000 (age 25)4 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Hermance RRC
Gaëtan Moser Centre (2001-05-25) 25 May 2001 (age 24)1 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Servette RC
Lucas Heinrich Wing (1995-06-13) 13 June 1995 (age 30)29 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg Servette RC
Hugo Malyon Wing (1995-07-25) 25 July 1995 (age 29)9 Flag of France.svg RC Suresnes
Hugh Kisielewski Wing (1990-05-08) 8 May 1990 (age 35)10 Flag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg GC Zürich
Jolan Vincent Fullback (2002-01-12) 12 January 2002 (age 23)6 Flag of France.svg US Nantua Haut Bugey

Current coaching staff

The current coaching staff of the Swiss national team: [4]

NameNationalityRole
Yann BenoitFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  SUI Manager
Olivier Nier Flag of France.svg FRA Head coach
Mathieu Guyou KreisFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  SUI Backs Coash
Simon DupuyFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  SUI Forwards Coach
Dr Mathieu SaubadeFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  SUI Team doctor
Gregory TellierFlag of Switzerland (Pantone).svg  SUI Physiotherapist

See also

References

  1. (French : Equipe Nationale Suisse de Rugby à XV German : Schweizer Rugby-Union-Nationalmannschaft Italian : Nazionale di Rugby XV della Svizzera)
  2. 1 2 "Men's World Rankings". World Rugby. Retrieved 14 July 2025.
  3. "Switzerland Men XVs". www.suisserugby.com. Retrieved 2023-03-07.
  4. "Poland vs Switzerland Game Sheet" (PDF). Rugby Europe. 20 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.