Rugby Union’s brand spanking new international competition, the Rugby Nations Championship, continues this weekend, and we’ve got you covered with previews & predictions for every game.
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New Zealand v Ireland, Saturday, 08:10, ITV1/Virgin Media One
Both sides are unbeaten and go to Eden Park on Saturday morning for another titanic tussle. Will Jordan with a hat-trick against Italy became the All Blacks’ highest try-scorer, and he couldn’t arrive here in any better form. Cam Roigard has been influential so far with three tries in the opening two games and is another that the Irish will have to keep a close eye on.
The question mark for both sides will likely come in the ten position. Ruben Love, who was yellow-carded in the opening game against France, received the same card last weekend only for it to be rescinded moments later for a knock-on. The shortest sin bin of all time. Jordie Barrett will know many of the Ireland players on a personal level from his time at Leinster, and with the likes of Ethan De Groot and Damien McKenzie in top form, they will be tough to beat.
Ireland arrived into the Australia game with question marks, but answered them in no uncertain terms with a 33-31 victory. Australia had a kick to win it right at the end only for it to drift wide from the boot of Ben Donaldson. Ciaran Frawley, who played at ten against Japan at the weekend, will likely be replaced by Sam Prendergast, but that topic will always rumble on. Who should be at ten for Ireland? Tries from Nick Timoney and Sean Jansen were encouraging but it looks unlikely that it would force them into the starting fifteen. Hugo Keenan looked back to top form against Australia, and he is another who will have to bring his A-game if Ireland are going to cause a shock.
In a high-scoring encounter, I can see New Zealand just edging away late on as their bench looks stronger with the likes of Wallace Sititi, Billy Proctor and Fehi Fineanganofo all available.
Prediction – New Zealand 42-30 Ireland
New Zealand vs Ireland odds: 1/5 New Zealand, 7/2 Ireland, 22/1 Draw, 10/11 New Zealand -10.5, 4/5 Ireland +10.5
Japan v France, Saturday, 09:40, ITV X/Virgin Media Player
Japan shocked Italy on the opening weekend and then were brought down to earth against a much-changed Ireland side. They come up against a France side in transition now, but the pace and running power that the French have should be too much for Japan.
Mathieu Jalibert started at fifteen last weekend in a positional change for the French, and it worked. They created numerous chances and brought the likes of Tom Staniforth and Nolann Le Garrec off the bench for some valuable game time.
France, even with some changes brought into the equation, should have far too much for Japan and should win easily.
Prediction – Japan 20-61 France
Japan vs France odds: 14/1 Japan, 1/66 France, 40/1 Draw, 10/11 Japan +26.5, 5/6 France -26.5
Australia v Italy, Saturday, 11:10, ITV 1/Virgin Media One
Australia were impressive against Ireland and were unlucky to not win the game late on, had the penalty gone over. Last weekend they were a bit in and out against a French side that dominated the second half. If Australia come back to the form they showed in the opening game, then they could run up a big score against an Italy side short on confidence.
Italy opened the scoring against the All Blacks with a try from Tommaso Menoncello, and that’s literally where it ended as New Zealand asserted their dominance. The Niccolò Cannone red card in the second half wouldn’t have helped either, and it’s now two defeats from two for them.
Prediction – Australia 47-20 Italy
Australia vs Italy odds: 1/10 Australia, 11/2 Italy, 25/1 Draw, 4/5 Australia -16.5, 10/11 Italy +16.5
Fiji v Scotland, Saturday, 14:10, ITV 1/Virgin Media One
Fiji arrives here off the back of a very heavy defeat, 73-8 to England last time. They were spirited in their opening loss to Wales, where they crossed the whitewash three times. They come up against a Scottish side who were very impressive against Argentina, winning 47-38, before running out of gas against the Springboks in a 42-28 loss.
Prediction – Fiji 21-56 Scotland
Fiji vs Scotland odds: 11/2 Fiji, 1/12 Scotland, 28/1 Draw, 10/11 Fiji +16.5, 4/5 Scotland -16.5
South Africa v Wales 16:40, Saturday, ITV 1/Virgin Media One
South Africa are at the peak of their powers at the moment in World Rugby, and this is a daunting task for this Welsh side. South Africa could make changes, and even if they do, they have players on the bench like Zach Porthen, Elrigh Louw and Quan Horn who all scored tries last weekend. Players like Jesse Kriel and Handre Pollard also impressed against Scotland.
Wales, a team in transition, have now found some form but lacked ideas and running power against Argentina last time, and this is a David v Goliath story here. Fiji made mistakes to let Wales in for tries in the opening game, and I couldn’t see South Africa doing the same here. Jac Morgan and Dan Edwards were solid in the opening game, and Josh Adams could also pose a problem or two to South Africa.
Prediction – South Africa 68-26 Wales
South Africa vs Wales odds: 28/1 Wales, 40/1 Draw, 4/5 South Africa -40.5, 10/11 Wales +40.5
Argentina v England, Saturday, ITV 1/Virgin Media One, 20:10
One of the games of the weekend as a resurgent Argentina face off against an England side who walloped Fiji last time. Head-to-heads between the sides have tended to be close over the years and the latest meeting could follow a similar theme.
Argentina disappointed in defeat to Scotland in their opening game but still managed to score 38 points in the game. They crossed the thirty-point barrier again last weekend when they won 35-21 against Wales. Santiago Carreras impressed last week along with Tomás Albornoz at ten pulling the strings. This game will be physical, and the scrum will be put under a lot of pressure.
England opened their Nations Championship with a solid first half against South Africa, but the second half went the way of the Springboks. They racked up 73 points against Fiji last weekend, and they will arrive here in top form. Marcus Smith at fifteen last week, along with Henry Slade at thirteen, showed extra pace on the wing, while the boot of Finn Smith at ten provided England with a solid platform.
Prediction – Argentina 38-42 England
Argentina vs England odds: 6/5 Argentina, 4/6 England, 22/1 Draw, 4/5 Argentina +2.5, 10/11 England -2.5
Rugby Nations Championship FAQs
What is the Rugby Nations Championship?
The Rugby Nations Championship is a new biennial international rugby union competition featuring 12 of the world’s leading men’s national teams. It replaces the traditional July and November Test windows with a structured tournament that culminates in a Finals Weekend to crown the champions.
Which teams compete in the Rugby Nations Championship?
The 12 participating nations are:
Northern Hemisphere
- England
- France
- Ireland
- Italy
- Scotland
- Wales
Southern Hemisphere
- Argentina
- Australia
- Fiji
- Japan
- New Zealand
- South Africa
How does the Rugby Nations Championship format work?
Each team plays six matches against teams from the opposite hemisphere—three in July and three in November. Teams are ranked within their hemisphere before progressing to the Finals Weekend.
How are points awarded?
Teams earn league points in the same way as most international rugby competitions:
- Win: 4 points
- Draw: 2 points
- Try bonus point: Score four or more tries
- Losing bonus point: Lose by seven points or fewer.
How do teams qualify for the final?
After six rounds, the top-ranked team in the Northern Hemisphere faces the top-ranked team in the Southern Hemisphere in the Rugby Nations Championship Final.
What happens at the Finals Weekend?
All 12 teams travel to the same venue, with every nation playing one final match based on its ranking:
- 1st North vs 1st South (Championship Final)
- 2nd vs 2nd
- 3rd vs 3rd
- 4th vs 4th
- 5th vs 5th
- 6th vs 6th.
Is there promotion and relegation?
Not during the inaugural tournament. However, World Rugby plans to introduce promotion and relegation between the Nations Championship and the second-tier Nations Cup in future editions.
How often is the Rugby Nations Championship held?
The competition takes place every two years and is not played during Rugby World Cup or British & Irish Lions tour years.
When is the Rugby Nations Championship played?
The tournament is split across two international windows:
- July: Three rounds of fixtures.
- November: Three further rounds followed by the Finals Weekend.
Where is the Rugby Nations Championship Final played?
The inaugural 2026 Finals Weekend, including the Championship Final, is being held at Allianz Stadium (Twickenham) in London.
Why was the Rugby Nations Championship created?
The competition was introduced to give greater meaning to international Test matches by creating a structured tournament in which every fixture counts towards a final ranking and an overall champion.
Does every match matter?
Yes. Every result contributes to a team’s position in its hemisphere standings, determining its opponent at the Finals Weekend and, for the top-ranked teams, a place in the Championship Final.
Where can I watch the Rugby Nations Championship?
ITV & ITV X broadcast the Rugby Nations Championship in the UK, while in Ireland, Virgin Media broadcasts the matches on both TV and via the Virgin Media player.