Bulgaria national rugby union team

Bulgaria
Union	Bulgarian Rugby Federation
Head coach	Romain Balmisse (FRA)
Captain	Petar Nikolov
	First colours
	First colours
World Rugby ranking
Current	59 (as of 16 January 2023)
Lowest	66 (4 April 2022)
First international
	Bulgaria 3 - 70 Romania ; (1963-5-20)
Biggest win
	Bulgaria 71 - 7 Serbia ; (2019-10-12)
Biggest defeat
	Bulgaria 0 - 100 Romania ; (1976-9-21)

The Bulgaria national rugby union team is governed by the Bulgarian Rugby Federation, and has yet to qualify for the Rugby World Cup.

The national side is ranked 59th in the world (as of 16 January 2023).^[1]

History

Bulgaria played their first rugby international in 1963, where they met Romania. They were defeated by the Romanians, 70-3. There was no qualifying tournament held for the first Rugby World Cup, and Bulgaria did not attempt to qualify for the tournament until the Welsh hosted the 1999 Rugby World Cup. They competed in Pool 2 of Round A, but did not advance to the next stage.

Bulgaria again tried to qualify for the 2003 Rugby World Cup in Australia, and competed in Pool B of Round 1. Although Bulgaria won one pool match, they did not advance to Round 2. For the 2007 Rugby World Cup, Bulgaria were able to advance past Round 1, and entered Pool D of Round 2. However, they were then knocked out of the qualifying tournament.