Yugoslavia national rugby union team

The Yugoslavia national rugby union team used to represent Yugoslavia at Rugby union until the 1990s.

History

As with the Soviet Union team, the various national sides of Yugoslavia also played their own matches, although were not treated as full international sides as England, Scotland and Wales always have done.

Serbia made their debut as early as 1968 against a Romanian XV, losing 3 points to 11. They made their full Test debut the following month, losing 6 points to 29 against Bulgaria.

Yugoslavia affiliated to the IRB in 1988 [http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.Touchline_Detail/storyId/439/sectionId/85] , and played in the 1988 World Cup qualification.

Due to the links between many Yugoslav and New Zealand families, the side also toured there. [http://www.rfu.com/index.cfm/fuseaction/RFUHome.Touchline_Detail/storyId/439/sectionId/85]

After the Civil War in 1991, the Yugoslav team continued to represent the ever shrinking state, until it came down to Serbia. Even in the 1999 Rugby World Cup - European qualification, an effectively Serbian team competed as "Yugoslavia" alongside Croatia (Yugoslavia came second in Pool 1 of Round A, while Croatia won Pool 2, but was knocked out in Round B, coming third)

uccessor teams

The rugby teams of Yugoslavia's successor states have had varying success, but none have yet qualifed for the World Cup.

ENC

The following successor teams are in the European Nations Cup:

* Bosnia and Herzegovina national rugby union team
* Croatia national rugby union team
* Serbia national rugby union team
* Slovenia national rugby union team