RUGBY LEAGUE NATION

 

 

Foundation Year - 1995

International Team - Bravehearts

Highest finish in World Cup - Ranked 8th (2008)

Top level domestic competition - Scotland have an eight team rugby league conference.

History - Scotland's first major involvement in rugby league was in the 1995 Emerging Nations World Cup. Scotland were grouped with Russia, United States and the eventual winners of the tournament the Cook Islands. Scotland defeated Russia 34 -9 and the United States 38 - 16 but could not overcome the Cook Islands 21 -10, just missing out on the final.

As a sign of their progress Scotland participated in the World Cup for the first time in 2000. Scotland had a tough pool being grouped with Samoa, Ireland and the NZ Maori. Scotland failed to register a win and did not progress pass the pool games.

in 2006/2007 Scotland played in the 2008 World Cup qualifiers. Scotland played two games against Wales winning and losing one game. Scotland qualified for the World Cup based on a better for and against then Wales. This was a great achievement with the team mainly comprised of players from the local Scottish league. On back of this Scotland were ranked 4th in the European Rankings.

Scotland were grouped with France and Fiji for the Pool rounds in the 2008 Rugby League World Cup. They were the underdogs of the tournament with many expecting them not to win a game in the Pool rounds. Scotland defied the critics by winning their first ever World Cup game against Fiji in Gosford. It was not enough to secure a qualifying semi final birth but provided Scotland with something to build on for the future. In the Ranking game against Tonga, Scotland were outclassed by Tonga and secured the 8th spot in the World Cup Rankings.

On back of their first win in 2008 World Cup, Scotland Rugby League plan to enter a team into the National League 2 by 2010 as part of the games development in Scotland. Their inclusion might take longer unless a financial backer can be found earlier. The Scottish team would develop along the same lines as the Celtic Crusaders in Wales. The Crusaders started in NL2 and then were promoted to NL1 before being awarded a Super League franchise.

In 2008 Scotland were ranked 4th in European seedings by the Rugby League European Federation (RLEF). Scotland's finish in the World Cup puts them at 8th in overall RLIF rankings.

In 2009 the Edinburgh Eagles created history by becoming the first Scottish team to make it to the second round of the Challenge Cup.

In early 2009 Scotland were ranked 9th in World seedings by the Rugby League International Federation (RLIF).

In late 2009 Scotland participated in the European Cup competition along side Lebanon, Ireland, Wales, Serbia and Italy. Scotland made it to the European Cup final but could not overcome a determined Welsh outfit. By finishing 2nd Scotland have secured their place in the 2010 European Nations Cup. The 2010 version will see the winner qualify as the 4th team in the 2011 Four Nations series due to be played in the northern hemisphere.

Recently the Rugby Football League (RFL) have taken a more hands on role in the development of the sport in Scotland. A whole round of Super League matches will take place at Murryfield in 2009 to help promote the sport in Scotland. The RFL are also assisting with the development of a team to enter the RFL's semi-professional Co-Operative League One in 2010.

Dear Readers, If you have first hand knowledge of the current Rugby League situation in Scotland we would love to hear from you. Please email us at: webmaster@rugbyleagueplanet.com or join our international rugby league Forums at http://forums.rugbyleagueplanet.com and let us all know what's going on in your part of the world.