Rugby
Rugby is one of Scotland’s most popular sports and is played across the country. The Scottish rugby team regularly compete internationally and Scotland has produced some of the world’s best rugby players.
Whatever your experience, it’s easy to get involved with Scottish rugby.
Scottish Rugby is the governing body for rugby competition in Scotland and officiates over game rules and player safety. Scotland is one of only ten countries on the first-tier member nations of the International Rugby Board (IRB).
Scotland’s star rugby players
Scotland has produced a number of world class international players. Gavin Hastings, who hold 61 Scotland caps, Gregor Townsend, and Chris Paterson to name a few.
Paterson broke two Scotland career records during the 2008 two-match Test series in Argentina and became Scotland’s most-capped player during the RBS Six Nations Championship in February 2008.
Scotland’s national rugby team competes in the annual Six Nations Championships along with England, Ireland, Wales, Italy and France.
The Rugby World Cup happens every four years and has fifteen teams competing, in four different pools.
The national rugby stadium
Murrayfield Stadium, Scotland’s national rugby stadium, regularly hosts home matches, Edinburgh Sevens matches, the Scottish Hydro Electric Cup, Magners League and Heineken Cup matches. Situated in Edinburgh’s west end, Murrayfield is a 20 minute walk from the city centre and is easily accessed by public transport. The stadium also boasts a large car park.
Joining a rugby team in Scotland
Joining a rugby club in Scotland is easy; there are clubs across the country, in schools, universities and most regions have their own teams. Children in their first year of primary school, ages five and upwards, can often take part in some club competition. More experienced players can compete in senior teams and 'First IV' and Second IV' club contests.
Professional clubs in Scotland compete in the Magners League and the Heineken Cup. The Scottish Hydro Electric League Championship includes more than 200 amateur and semi-professional clubs across Scotland.
More information about ruby in Scotland from Scottish Rugby
The Scotland rugby team
More on the RBS Six Nations
More on the Rugby World Cup
Find your local Scottish rugby team