 The record for most points overall is held by English player Jonny Wilkinson , who scored 277 over his World Cup career . Grant Fox of New Zealand holds the record for most points in one competition , with 126 in 1987 ; Jason Leonard of England holds the record for most World Cup matches : 22 between 1991 and 2003 . Simon Culhane holds the record for most points in a match by one player , 45 , as well as the record for most conversions in a match , 20 . Marc Ellis holds the record for most tries in a match , six , which he scored against Japan in 1995 . 
