This year, the Rugby World Cup takes place in France, with matches played across 10 host cities from 8 September - 28 October 2023.
The international men’s tournament is every four years, featuring 20 teams from around the world, with 48 matches played across 51 days.
Scotland kicks-off against defending champions South Africa on 10 September in Marseille.
About Team Scotland
Scotland is built on resilience, strength and a true feeling of belonging. From the islands that surround us, to the stubborn castles that protect us - Scotland has a unique spirit, which unites us.
The Scotland Rugby team embodies this, renowned for their courage and determination on the pitch. This month, they’ll take on one of their biggest tests yet, with Captain Jamie Ritchie leading the 33 player squad in France.
Home is where the heart is
Players who moved to Scotland to live, as well as those born and bred, all have a real love of the country – our culture, traditions and the people.
South African-born Pierre Schoeman said: “Anywhere you go, to any village, anywhere in Scotland really, you feel that sense of belonging and people are friendly, open hearts.”
Similarly for Kyle Steyn, the down-to-earth nature of Scottish people helped him feel at home when he arrived. Any challenges with communication were positively addressed by a clear sense of being welcomed in to the community. He said: “I couldn’t really understand anyone, just the way they made you feel nonetheless when we first moved over, and since, it’s been incredibly welcoming.”
Our languages (once figured out!) and banter – our word for good-humoured teasing - also add to what makes Scotland welcoming. George Horne said his favourite Scottish word is “probably something like honkin’, which means really, really smelly!”
And Schoeman’s favourite word is in Gaelic – ceanngall - which means connection.
It’s that sense of connection that inspires a love for places and makes it a home.
Favourite places in Scotland
Schoeman’s favourite place to go is Eyemouth, about an hour’s drive down the coast from Edinburgh: “It’s just beautiful you know, the animal marine life as well as the beautiful Borders. Looking out on the cliffs, it’s just beautiful, you feel at peace, at rest, and the people there are amazing.”
Ewan Ashman took his family and dogs to Ullapool in the Highlands, staying in a cottage with a panoramic loch view, and took the opportunity to do bit of fishing and spend time on the beach.
And for Glasgow-born Scott Cummings his home town is his favourite: “spent my whole life there, all my family still live there, you know, really proud to represent Glasgow, Glasgow Warriors and obviously when I play for Scotland, I get to represent Glasgow as well.”
Jamie Bhatti, who grew-up in Stirling, has a bucket list: “I’d love to go to Islay, I’ve never been. Hopefully when I get my PPL (Private Pilot Licence) I can fly up there. That’s one of my dreams to be able to fly up to the isles at some point.”
Find out more about living in Scotland.
Scotland Fixtures
Scotland competes in Pool B of the 2023 Rugby World Cup, where they will face South Africa, Tonga, Romania and Ireland.
- Sunday 10 September - Scotland V South Africa – Marseille (4:45PM GMT)
- Sunday 24 September – Scotland V Tonga – Nice (4:45PM GMT)
- Saturday 30 September – Scotland V Romania – Lille (8:00PM GMT)
- Saturday 7 October – Scotland V Ireland – Paris (8:00PM GMT)