Highlights
The Autumn Internationals will take on added significance in 2026 with the introduction of a new ‘Nations Championship’ tournament.
Structure: The competition will consist of six rounds of matches plus a finals weekend, split across the Summer and Autumn Internationals.
Frequency: Played every two years—in between Rugby World Cup and Lions Tour years.
Format: The tournament features two groups of teams competing in a Northern vs. Southern Hemisphere format.
The Teams:
Northern Hemisphere: Represented by England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland, and Wales (the Six Nations teams).
Southern Hemisphere: Includes South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, and Argentina (the SANZAAR nations), along with Fiji and Japan as invitational teams.
Note: Kick-off times are local and subject to change


