United States at the Rugby World Cup
The United States national rugby union team has played in all but two Rugby World Cups since the inaugural tournament in 1987. The USA is the second strongest national rugby side in North America, and the third strongest in the Americas after Argentina and Canada. The U.S. has played in eight World Cups from the inaugural 1987 tournament to the 2019 tournament—all but the 1995 and 2023 World Cups. The team's best result so far has been to win one game—which they accomplished in 1987, 2003, and 2011. Summary of results by tournament Summary of results by opponent Notes: Results current through end of 2019 Rugby World Cup. The US has never played Wales or Canada in a RWC, even though those two teams have played in every RWC. Ivory Coast, Zimbabwe, Namibia, Georgia, Uruguay, Spain, and Portugal are the other seven nations that have yet to play the USA at the Rugby World Cup that have previously qualified. Qualifying The U.S. has qualified for every World Cup, except for the 1995 and 2023 tournaments. Notes Rugby World Cup hosting So far the USA has not hosted any Rugby World Cup games, and no Rugby World Cups have been held in the Americas. The United States is, however, interested in pursuing a bid, possibly a joint bid with Canada, to host the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Team RWC records Most points scored in a single tournament: 86 (2003) Most points scored in a single match: 39 (39–26 vs. Japan in 2003) Largest margin of victory: 13 (39–26 vs. Japan in 2003) Player RWC records Career Updated: October 12, 2015. Updated: October 12, 2015. Updated: October 12, 2015. Tries scored The following table shows all U.S. players that have scored two or more tries in their World Cup career, plus all active players who have scored at least one World Cup try. Note: The U.S. failed to qualify for the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Most penalties scored: Mike Hercus, 15 (2003 & 2007) Single tournament Most points in a single tournament: Mike Hercus, 51 (2003) Most tries in a single tournament: Kort Schubert, 3 (2003) Individual tournaments: 1987 to present 1987 Rugby World Cup Pool 1 games 1991 Rugby World Cup Pool 1 games 1995 Rugby World Cup Did not qualify. The Americas were allotted only two teams for the 1995 tournament. Canada automatically qualified, by virtue of reaching the quarterfinals of the 1991 tournament. Only 1 place remained for the Americas qualifying, to be decided by the winner of the home-and-away series between the US and Argentina (the winner of the Americas South bracket) in 1994. In that series, the US lost their home match 22-28, and also lost their away match 11-16. With the 2-0 record and 44-33 aggregate score, Argentina secured the final qualifying spot for the Americas. 1999 Rugby World Cup Pool E games 2003 Rugby World Cup Mike Hercus was the leading points scorer for the United States - and 7th leading scorer among all players