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Sweden national rugby union team

Men's national rugby union team representing Sweden

Sweden national rugby union team

Summary

Men's national rugby union team representing Sweden

FieldValue
NameSweden
BadgeSwedish Rugby Union logo.svg
Badge_size160px
UnionSvenska Rugbyförbundet
CaptainPhilip Murphy
CoachAlex Laybourne
CapsTim Johansson (51)
Top scorerAxel Kalling-Smith (23)
pattern_la1_navyborder
pattern_b1_navycollar
body1F4E457
pattern_ra1_navyborder
leftarm1F4E457
rightarm1F4E457
shorts11C1D43
socks1F4E457
World cup apps0
World Rugby Rank31
World Rugby Rank date25 September 2025
First gameSWE Sweden 6–0 Denmark DEN
(23 October 1949)
Largest winLUX Luxembourg 3116 Sweden SWE
(5 May 2001)
Largest lossSoviet Union Soviet Union 72–0 Sweden SWE
(1 July 1976)
Most triesAndrew Daish (18)
founded1932league=Rugby Europe TrophyWorld Rugby min year=2016World Rugby min=62World Rugby max=30World Rugby max year=2024

| World Rugby Rank date = 25 September 2025 (23 October 1949) (5 May 2001) (1 July 1976)

Sami Paulsson rolls into the picture after Sweden beat Czech Republic 28–18 at Stockholm's Stadion on May 14th 2022, winning Conference 1 North

The Sweden men's national rugby union team represents Sweden in rugby union. They currently compete in the Rugby Europe Trophy division, two levels of competition below the Six Nations.

History

Main article: Rugby union in Sweden

The national team is governed by the Swedish Rugby Union. Rugby has been played in Sweden since 1933. The first full international was played in 1949 against neighbours Denmark, a game Sweden won 6-0. Sweden has been a member union of World Rugby since 1988 and is one of the 48 members of Rugby Europe.

Sweden celebrated its 75th anniversary as a rugby nation in 2008.

Sweden have won several FIRA / Rugby Europe divisional competitions throughout their history, notably achieving Grand Slams in 1981-82 and 2021-2022. They also won five straight editions of the regional Nordic Cup between 1987 and 1991. Sweden have not yet successfully qualified for the Rugby World Cup.

In recent years the team has enjoyed a sustained period of relative success, having risen to their highest ever world ranking of 30th and going unbeaten in calendar year 2024. Following promotion to the Trophy in 2022, they have consolidated their position at this level having finished second in the table for three straight seasons, losing only to Switzerland and Poland.

In May 2025 the team was invited to compete in the inaugural Granite Trophy, a challenge match set up to showcase a newly formed combined Channel Islands rugby team composed of players drawn from Jersey and Guernsey.

Age grade and sevens

The Swedish Rugby Union also administers age grade rugby for both sexes; a women's national team and a Sevens national team.

Home ground

Sweden currently play international matches primarily at the purpose built Trelleborg Rugby Arena, home of Pingvin RC. Built to replace Pingvin's former home Pilevallen, on which Pilehallen now stands, it was completed in 2024 and features an all-wooden covered grandstand and clubhouse.

In previous seasons games have also been played at Stockholm Olympic Stadium, Malmö Stadium and in Norrköping.

Current squad

Sweden draws its players both from its domestic clubs as well as players competing abroad.

The following players were selected for the games vs Croatia, Lithuania and Czech Republic in Autumn 2025:

Jack Tatu RobertssonOutside HalfLAT RK Livonia

The following players have had at least one call-up to the senior squad since September 2024:

Leading Try Scorers

Nametries
Axel Kalling-Smith24
Ian Gowland21
Andreas Bruhn18
Kari Tapper16
Kanogo Njuru14
Bobby Nave13
Alan Letele12
Theodor Karlsson12
Johan Andersson11
Alfred Nordgren10
Thomas Arvidsson10

Current Season Matches

[[2025-26 Rugby Europe Trophy]]

Table

TrophyWRPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
2922008814741312010
30320111963561882010
3422001035746138109
41310281138-571320000
60310270117-47917004
55300345117-72113011

Key:

2025 promoted side

WR World Ranking as of September 2025

Loman 36' m De Chavaille 42' m, 76'c Aron Qvarnström 52' c Fryxell 66' c Hector 70' c Kalling-Smith 80' m

Galic 40+1' c

  • Joar Blanck and Levan Khizanishvili made their full team debuts
  • Axel Kalling-Smith scored his 23rd try for Sweden, extending the national team record}}

Rafael 33' c Eckfeldt (2) 38' m, 50' c Kalling-Smith 59' m O Nilsson 67' c

  • First international try for Anthony Rafael
  • First international try for Oliver Nilsson
  • First international tries for Samuel Eckfeldt
  • Axel Kalling-Smith scored his 24th try for Sweden, extending the national team record
  • First time Sweden had kept the opposition from scoring a try since November 2018 match v Luxembourg}}

Havel 14' c Koblic 16' c Miracky (2) 33' m, 36' m Kulhavy 50' c Aschenbrenner 60' c

Tatu-Robertsson 78' c

  • First win for Czech Republic against Sweden since 2016}}


Recent Results

The following is a list of test and representative matches since 2018.

SeasonDateOpponentVenueCompetitionResultScore
**2017 -
2018**14 October 2017, Norrköping, SwedenRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW12 - 10
28 October 2017Spartak Stadium, Odesa, UkraineRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthL29 - 8
14 April 2018ENG Dorking RFCBrockham, Surrey, EnglandNon-cap friendlyW74 - 5
28 April 2018Centrinis Stadionas, Telšiai, LithuaniaRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthL43 - 22
12 May 2018Enköping, SwedenRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW50 - 27
**2018 -
2019**20 October 2018, Norrköping, SwedenRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW80 - 6
3 November 2018Stade Josy Barthel, LuxembourgRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW9 - 10
11 May 2019, Norrköping, SwedenRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW36 - 27
19 May 2019Spartak Stadium, Odesa, UkraineRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthL23 - 14
**2019 -
2020**26 October 2019Sloka Stadium, Jurmala, LatviaRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW22 - 26
2 November 2019Malmö Stadion, SwedenRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthL14 23 – L0 - 13
Remainder of season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
**2020 -
2021**Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
**2021 -
2022**23 October 2021, Norrköping, SwedenRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW14 23 – L51 - 5
23 April 2022Baldones Stadions, Baldone, LatviaRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW14 23 – L25 - 46
7 May 2022Budapest Rugby Center, HungaryRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW25 - 29
14 May 2022Stockholm Olympic Stadium, SwedenRugby Europe Conference 1 NorthW28 - 18
**2022 -
2023**October 29, 2022Stockholm Olympic Stadium, SwedenRugby Europe TrophyW37 - 17
November 5, 2022Malmö Stadion, SwedenRugby Europe TrophyL12 - 69
March 18, 2023Stadion Stari plac, Split, Croatia ‡Rugby Europe TrophyL38 - 15
April 1, 2023Šiauliai Rugby Academy Stadium, LithuaniaRugby Europe TrophyW15 - 18
**2023 -
2024**28 October 2023Stockholm Olympic Stadium, SwedenRugby Europe TrophyW48 - 37
4 November 2023Stade Municipal, Yverdon-les-Bains, SwitzerlandRugby Europe TrophyL23 - 12
18 November 2023Gradski sportski centar, Makarska, CroatiaRugby Europe TrophyW20 - 22
23 March 2024Šiauliai Rugby Academy Stadium, LithuaniaRugby Europe TrophyW8 - 27
6 April 2024, Trelleborg, SwedenRugby Europe TrophyW36 - 24
**2024 -
2025**27 October 2024Trelleborg, SwedenRugby Europe TrophyW22 - 16
2 November 2024Aukštaitija Stadium, LithuaniaRugby Europe TrophyW19 - 46
16 November 2024NSC Stjepan Spajic, Zagreb, CroatiaRugby Europe TrophyW31 - 42
16 March 2025Häljarp, SwedenNon-cap FriendlyW47 - 11
29 March 2025Stade de LuxembourgRugby Europe TrophyW18 - 57
12 April 2025Trelleborg, SwedenRugby Europe TrophyL25 - 29
17 May 2025JER GUE Alderney Herm Sark
Channel IslandsFootes Lane, GuernseyGranite Trophy
(Non-cap Friendly)L28 - 66
**2025 -
2026**25 October 2025Trelleborg, SwedenRugby Europe TrophyW57 - 12
1 November 2025Trelleborg, SwedenRugby Europe TrophyW38 - 3
15 November 2025Břevnov, Prague, Czech RepublicRugby Europe TrophyL48 - 24

† Competition cancelled mid-season due to the COVID-19 pandemic

‡ Ukraine played their home game in Croatia due to the 2022 Russian Invasion of Ukraine

Recent Tournament Record

2024-25 Rugby Europe Trophy

Main article: 2024–25 Rugby Europe Trophy

Scores

League Table

TrophyWRPldWDLPFPAPDTFTATBLBPts
28550018290+9223142022
315401192113+7926162119
32530216489+752092216
335113147203-562227006
345104105182-771325105
↑▼37501495208-1131126002

Key:

2024 promoted side

Relegated to 2025/6 Rugby Europe Conference

WR World Ranking as of April 2025

2023-24 Rugby Europe Trophy

Main article: 2023–24 Rugby Europe Trophy

Scores

League Table

TrophyWRPlWDLBFADIFFPts
28550021986413422
31540121451123318
32530221921533914
3352333130132-211
3451040103143-404
375005061225-1640

Key:

2023 promoted side

Promoted to 2025 Rugby Europe Championship

Relegated to 2024/5 Rugby Europe Conference North

WR World Ranking as of April 2024

2022-23 Rugby Europe Trophy

Main article: 2022–23 Rugby Europe Trophy

Scores

League Table

TrophyWRPlWDLBFADIFFPts
27440032057213319
3642021117135-189
394202182139-579
524103397122-257
4241031100133-335

Key:

2022 promoted sides

WR World Ranking April 2023

2021-22 Rugby Europe Conference 1 North

Main article: 2021–22 Rugby Europe International Championships#Conference 1 North

Scores

League Table

Conference 1 NorthWRPlWDLBFADIFFPts
3844003154817119
3743013142707215
633102174109-355
614103056145-894
64300326190-292

Key:

▲ Promoted to Rugby Europe Trophy

2019 promoted side

2019 relegated side

WR World Ranking May 2022

Overall tournament record

2017-present : Rugby Europe International Championships

SeasonCompetitionSingle season positionOverall season position
2024 - 2026Rugby Europe TrophySeason in progressTBC
Rugby Europe Trophy2nd (of 6)
2022 - 2024Rugby Europe Trophy2nd (of 6)2nd (of 5)
Rugby Europe Trophy2nd (of 5)
2021 - 2022Rugby Europe Conference 1 North1st (of 5) Grand Slam Champions
Promoted to Trophy
2019 - 2020Rugby Europe Conference 1 NorthN/A Season cancelled due to COVID-19 pandemic
2018 - 2019Rugby Europe Conference 1 North2nd (of 5)
2017 - 2018Rugby Europe Conference 1 North3rd (of 5)
2016 - 2017Rugby Europe Conference 1 North4th (of 5)

2000-2016 : FIRA-AER European Nations Cup

SeasonCompetitionSingle season positionOverall season position
2014 - 2016European Nations Cup - Division 1B6th (of 6)6th (of 6)
Relegated to Conference 1
European Nations Cup - Division 1B6th (of 6)
2012 - 2014European Nations Cup - Division 1B6th (of 6)5th (of 6)
European Nations Cup - Division 1B4th (of 6)
2010 - 2012European Nations Cup - Division 2A3rd (of 5)1st (of 5) Champions
Promoted to Division 1B
European Nations Cup - Division 2A1st (of 5)
2008 - 2010European Nations Cup Division 2B4th (of 5)
2006 - 2008European Nations Cup Division 3A1st (of 5) Champions
Promoted to Division 2B
2004 - 2006European Nations Cup Third Division Pool A2nd (of 5)
2002 - 2004European Nations Cup Second Division Pool A5th (of 5)
Relegated to Third Division
2000 - 2002World Cup Qualifying Round 2 Pool A3rd (of 5)Did not qualify
World Cup Qualifying Round 1 Pool A1st (of 6)
1999 - 2000European Nations Cup Fourth Division Pool 31st (of 4) Champions
(No promotion)

1967-1999 : FIRA

SeasonCompetitionPosition
1998 - 1999FIRA Tournament Pool 33rd (of 4)
1996 - 1998World Cup Qualifying Pool 32nd (of 5) - Did Not Qualify
1992 - 1994World Cup Qualifying Round 1 Central Group3rd (of 4) - Did Not Qualify
FIRA Trophy Second Division Pool A5th (of 5)
1990 - 1992FIRA Trophy Third Division Pool 2
Nordic Cup1st (of 4) Champions
Promoted to Second Division
1989 - 1990World Cup Qualifying - Preliminary CompetitionDid Not Qualify
1985 - 1987FIRA Trophy Second Division Pool B4th (of 4)
1984 - 1985FIRA Trophy Third Division4th (of 4)
1983 - 1984FIRA Trophy Second Division Pool B3rd (of 5)
1982 - 1983FIRA Trophy Second Division5th (of 5)
1981 - 1982FIRA Trophy Third Division1st (of 5) Grand Slam Champions
Promoted to Second Division
1980 - 1981FIRA Trophy Third Division3rd (of 5)
1979 - 1980FIRA Trophy Second Division5th (of 5)
Relegated to Third Division
1978 - 1979FIRA Trophy Second Division Pool 24th (of 4)
1977 - 1978FIRA Trophy Second Division Pool 22nd (of 3)
1976 - 1977FIRA Trophy Second Division4th (of 5)
1967 - 1968FIRA Nations Cup Division 2 Pool 13rd (of 3)

Rugby World Cup Qualification

World Cup recordWorld Cup Qualification recordYearRoundPWDLFAPWDLFA
AUSNZL 1987Not InvitedNot Invited
GBRIREFRA 1991*Did not qualify*430110149
RSA 1995*Did not qualify*31023975
WAL 1999*Did not qualify*430119160
AUS 2003*Did not qualify*970231599
FRA 2007*Did not qualify*6303110138
NZL 2011*Did not qualify*41036473
ENG 2015*Did not qualify*10307193307
JPN 2019*Did not qualify*410356124
FRA 2023Did not qualifyAutomatically eliminated
AUS 2027
USA 2031To be determined
Total0/1100000044220221069925

Minor & Regional Comptitions

CompetitionFormatOther teamsWDLResult
2025 Granite TrophyChallenge MatchChannel Islands XV001Runners up
2011 Viking Tri NationsRound robinDenmark
Norway200Champions
1995 Baltic CupKnockout /
Playoff for positionDenmark
Norway
Poland
Russia0034th place
1993 Nordic CupKnockoutDenmark
Denmark A
Norway1012nd place
Lost to Denmark in final
1992 Nordic CupRound robinDenmark
Norway1012nd place
1991 Nordic CupKnockoutDenmark
Finland
Norway200Champions
1990 Nordic CupKnockoutDenmark
Finland
Norway200Champions
1989 Nordic CupKnockoutDenmark
Finland
Norway200Champions
1988 Nordic CupKnockoutDenmark
Denmark A
Norway200Champions
1987 Nordic CupKnockoutDenmark
Finland
Norway200Champions
1971 Gothenburg TrophyRound robinCzechoslovakia XV
Denmark
Netherlands310Unknown
(at least 2nd place)

Head to Head Records

Below is a table of the representative rugby matches played by a Sweden national XV at test level up until 15 November 2025, updated after match with .

AgainstPlayedWonLostDrawn% WonTotal2251141056%
5230%
1100%
2200%
12480%
Catalonia Catalonia2110%
8710%
10550%
80710%
5340103%
30300%
3300%
10100%
4130%
4400%
3300%
13940%
12921%
8710%
4130%
3210%
191180%
7700%
161141%
20200%
5320%
20200%
20200%
8620%
10100%
8170%
5230%

Honours

  • 1981-82 FIRA Trophy Division 3 - Champions (Grand Slam)
  • 1987 Nordic Cup - Champions
  • 1988 Nordic Cup - Champions
  • 1989 Nordic Cup - Champions
  • 1990-92 FIRA Trophy Division 3 - Champions
  • 1990 Nordic Cup - Champions
  • 1991 Nordic Cup - Champions
  • 2006-08 European Nations Cup Division 3 - Champions
  • 2011-12 European Nations Cup Division 3 - Champions
  • 2011 Viking Tri Nations - Champions
  • 2022-23 Rugby Europe Conference 1 North - Champions (Grand Slam)

References

References

  1. "Sweden - World Rugby - Hall of Fame".
  2. https://www.world.rugby/rankings
  3. https://www.pingvin.nu/sida/?ID=258383
  4. "Sweden Squad for Autumn 2025".
  5. "Sweden v Poland 2025".
  6. "Sweden v Luxembourg 2025".
  7. "Sweden v Croatia 2024".
  8. "Sweden v Czechia 2024".
  9. "Rugby Europe Trophy 2025-26".
  10. "Europe: Sweden - Latest Results".
  11. "Rugby Europe Trophy 2024-25 results".
  12. "Rugby Europe Trophy 2023-24 results".
  13. "Rugby Europe Trophy 2022-23 results".
  14. "Rugby Europe Conf 1 North 2021-22 results".
  15. "Rugby Europe Conf 1 North 2019-20 results (competition cancelled due to COVID-19)".
  16. https://www.rugbyeurope.eu/news/covid-19-statement-board-of-directors
  17. https://www.landskronadirekt.com/2025/03/14/rugbylandskamp-i-haljarp
  18. https://www.landskronadirekt.com/2025/03/17/sverige-korde-over-danmark-i-rugbylandskamp/
  19. "Jersey and Guernsey to play together in Channel Islands Rugby Team".
  20. "Channel Islands cruise to 10-try Sweden victory".
  21. https://www.pingvin.nu/nyheter/?ID=168643&NID=1193946
  22. (22 October 2021). "Two games postponed due to national restrictions".
  23. https://www.rugbyinternational.net/countries/sweden.htm
  24. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/30?Stagione=1994
  25. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/180?Stagione=1993
  26. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/180?Stagione=1992
  27. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/180?Stagione=1991
  28. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/180?Stagione=1990
  29. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/180?Stagione=1989
  30. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/180?Stagione=1988
  31. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/180?Stagione=1987
  32. http://www.rugbyarchive.net/compseasons/180?Stagione=1971
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