Blockbuster matches between RWC 2027 contenders launch Nations Championship and Nations Cup

The inaugural rounds of the new World Rugby Nations Championship and Nations Cup tournaments kick off on Saturday, 4 July, featuring all 24 teams set to compete at Men's Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia. The Nations Championship includes six back-to-back test matches involving Six Nations and Rugby Championship sides, plus Fiji and Japan, played across venues from Christchurch to Cardiff to Cordoba, while 12 other nations contest the Nations Cup across the Americas. Among the headline fixtures is Australia hosting Ireland at Sydney Football Stadium, a venue that will also host five matches at RWC 2027.