A new era of international rugby begins this weekend. The inaugural Nations Championship gets underway, bringing together the world’s leading rugby nations in a brand-new global competition that aims to add greater meaning to the July and November Test windows.
ALSO READ: Springboks Name Strong Starting XV For England Test.
Featuring the traditional Six Nations teams, the four Rugby Championship nations, plus Fiji and Japan, the tournament promises blockbuster clashes throughout the year before culminating in a Finals Weekend later in 2026.
Here’s everything you need to know.
What Is The Nations Championship?
The Nations Championship is a new biennial international competition created by World Rugby to reshape the global Test calendar.
Instead of standalone international tours, the competition will see the world’s top 12 nations play meaningful matches that count towards an overall championship table.
The tournament will be played every even-numbered year, complementing the Rugby World Cup cycle rather than replacing existing competitions such as the Six Nations or The Rugby Championship.
Which Teams Are Taking Part?
The inaugural tournament features 12 nations:
Europe
- England
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Scotland
- Wales
Rest of the World
- South Africa
- New Zealand
- Australia
- Argentina
- Fiji
- Japan
These teams are divided into two conferences, with each side playing all six teams from the opposite conference across the July and November international windows.
How Does The Format Work?
Every team will play six matches during the tournament:
- Three fixtures in July
- Three fixtures in November
European teams travel south during July, while the southern hemisphere nations head north for the November fixtures.
Teams earn competition points using the standard World Rugby system:
- 4 points for a win
- 2 points for a draw
- 0 points for a defeat
- Bonus point for scoring four or more tries
- Bonus point for losing by seven points or fewer
At the conclusion of the six rounds, teams will be seeded for the Finals Weekend, where first will play second for the Nations Championship title, while the remaining teams will also face off to determine the final standings.
Why Was It Introduced?
The competition has been designed to give greater significance to international Test rugby outside of the Rugby World Cup.
Rather than traditional tours with little riding on individual matches, every fixture now contributes to a global competition.
World Rugby also hopes the tournament will:
- Create more regular Northern Hemisphere vs Southern Hemisphere clashes.
- Increase the competitiveness of international rugby.
- Improve commercial value through consistent marquee fixtures.
- Better prepare teams for the Rugby World Cup.
Can Teams Be Relegated?
Not yet.
Although promotion and relegation between the Nations Championship and the second-tier Nations Cup are planned for future editions, the inaugural tournaments in 2026 and 2028 will not feature promotion or relegation.
That means all 12 competing nations are guaranteed to return for the next edition.
Springboks Begin Against England
South Africa’s campaign begins with one of the biggest fixtures of the opening weekend as the Springboks host England at Ellis Park.
Rassie Erasmus has selected a powerful, experienced side led by Siya Kolisi, underlining just how seriously the Springboks are taking the inaugural tournament.
With New Zealand, Ireland and France also among the favourites, every result could prove crucial in the race to reach the Finals Weekend.
Who Are The Favourites?
Several nations will believe they have a realistic chance of lifting the inaugural title.
South Africa arrive as the reigning Rugby World Cup champions and possess exceptional squad depth.
Ireland continue to be one of the world’s most consistent teams, while France boast arguably the most talented generation in their history.
New Zealand can never be discounted, and England will hope to make an early statement despite entering a new cycle under Steve Borthwick.
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