2011 Rugby World Cup the first Asian nation to host the first Rugby World Cup. Japan had the necessary infrastructure already in place, by virtue of its co-hosting the 2002 FIFA World Cup. South Africa had hosted the tournament in 1995. The 2011 South African bid, led by former national captain Francois Pienaar, had strong support from their national government. South Africa had also won the right to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The IRB Council meeting in Dublin on 17 November 2005 announced that New Zealand had been selected after IRB inspections of each applicant host nation during June and July 2005.
Scotland at the Rugby World Cup host country and the number of qualified teams in each tournament (in parentheses) are shown. Gavin Hastings is by far the most successful Scottish world cup player, and has gained a number of records. Most overall conversions in final stages Most penalties in a match RWC qualifying countries which Scotland has not played at the tournament include Canada, Wales and Namibia. Scotland has never been the main host of the World Cup, but a number of Rugby World Cup games have been played in Scotland over the years. When World Cups have been in the Northern Hemisphere, Scotland has hosted