The Nigeria national rugby union team represent Nigeria in men's international rugby union. Nigeria have thus far not qualified for a Rugby World Cup, but have competed in qualifying tournaments. Nigeria played their first international against Zimbabwe on 1 August 1987, losing by 111-12 in Nairobi. Their greatest success has been in the 2013 Africa Cup, where they beat Mauritius 63-3 in group 1C. Nigeria tried to qualify for the first time for the 2007 Rugby World Cup, but lost to Senegal (6-48) and Cameroon (8-18), and were eliminated. They also missed the presence at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, after losing to Cameroon (6-26), in the pre-qualifier.

Players

Previous squads

Nigeria are currently in the Africa Cup (Division 2) and will compete to gain promotion into the Africa Cup (Performance & First Division) in 2024.

Nigeria Squad for the 2012 Africa Cup

Head Coach: Steven Lewis (New York Blues, USA), Manager: Mark Dean (Samurai International RFC), Physio: Emma Mark (Esher RFC, England)

Nigeria Squad for the 2013 Africa Cup

Head Coach: Gavin Hogg (Bury St Edmunds RFC, England), Manager: Mark Dean (Samurai International RFC), Physio: Emma Mark (Esher RFC, England)

Nigeria Squad for the 2014 Africa Cup 1C in Gaborone, Botswana

Manager: Dele Coker, Assistant Coaches: Richard Raphael (Kaduna RFC), Ofoha Joseph (Cowrie RFC)

Nigeria Squad for the 2015 Africa Cup 1C in Lusaka, Zambia

Manager: Fabian Juries, Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye

Nigeria Squad for the 2016 Africa Cup 1C in Casablanca, Morocco

Manager: Fabian Juries, Assistant Coach: Joseph Ofoha/Richard Raphael, Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye

Nigeria Squad for the 2018 West Africa Regional Test Match versus Niger Republic in Niamey, Niger

Manager: Bronson Weir, Assistant Coach: Joseph Ofoha/Simon Joseph Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye

Nigeria Squad for the 2023 World Cup Elimination Match versus Madagascar in Antananarivo, Madagascar - Dec 1 2019

Manager: Bronson Weir, Team Doctor/Physio: Bukola Bojuwoye

Test Match Record

World Rugby Ranking

Nigeria were ranked 69th in the world by World Rugby as of 29 November 2021. https://www.world.rugby/tournaments/rankings/mru

World Cup record

Nigeria Rugby Statistics as at December, 2014

Nigerian players representing other nations

There have been a large number of Nigerian born or eligible players who have, for a variety of reasons, opted to play for another nation. These include: