The roots of Scottish rugby go back a long way. Many ‘ba games’ played in Scotland, and referred to as ‘football’, were frequently as similar to rugby as they were to soccer. The first international rugby union match in the world was played between England and Scotland in Edinburgh in 1871. Scotland won 4-1. The national side is considered by the IRB to belong in the top tier of nations, playing their home matches at Murrayfield Stadium in the West End of Edinburgh.