As of April 26, 2010, Russia placed at 19th position in the world rankings, just behind Romania and the USA. They are currently the ninth best team in Europe according to the world rankings.[1]
This was the first Rugby World Cup opener not to feature a Tier 1 nation.
Kotaro Matsushima (Japan) became the first Japanese player to score a hat-trick at a World Cup, and the first player to score one in a Rugby World Cup opener.
Russia's try was the fastest to be scored in an opening match of a Rugby World Cup.
Scotland became the first team to record multiple nilled-victories over their opponent in one World Cup campaign, and become the first team to record a fifth nilled-victory in World Cup history.
Mathieu Raynal was due to referee this game but withdrew ahead of kick off due to illness - Wayne Barnes stepped up from assistant with Alexandre Ruiz covering the assistant role.