The first chapter of the Nations Championship has delivered some compelling international rugby, with the Southern Hemisphere fixtures in July providing an early glimpse of how the inaugural competition could unfold.
With three rounds completed, South Africa and New Zealand have made strong starts, while several Northern Hemisphere sides have already shown they can challenge the established order. Attention now turns to November, when the competition resumes and the final standings begin to take shape ahead of Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium.
South Africa and New Zealand set the early pace
South Africa began their campaign with a convincing 45–21 victory over England before following it up with a 42–28 win against Scotland. They finished their July series in emphatic fashion, beating Wales 43–0 to complete three wins from three.
New Zealand also enjoyed an unbeaten opening series. The All Blacks edged France 34–32 in a closely contested opening match, then defeated Italy 47–17 before finishing with a 40–21 victory over Ireland.
Both sides have put themselves in a strong position heading into the November fixtures. With their next meetings against Northern Hemisphere opposition still to come, the question is whether they can maintain that momentum when the competition returns.
England respond after opening defeat
England’s summer began with a difficult trip to South Africa, where they were beaten 45–21 by the Springboks. Their response was emphatic. A 73–8 win over Fiji followed, before England closed their July campaign with a 31–24 victory against Argentina. The results showed a side capable of producing attacking rugby and recovering from a challenging start.
There will be plenty of interest in how England carry that form into November. Their opening fixture is against Australia on 8 November, followed by matches against Japan and New Zealand later in the month. The meeting with New Zealand on 21 November will be a particularly intriguing test before the competition moves to Finals Weekend.
France and Scotland provide further talking points
France and Scotland also gave supporters plenty to look forward to during the opening rounds.
France began with a narrow 34–32 defeat to New Zealand, but responded with a 42–26 win over Australia and a 42–15 victory against Japan. Their ability to bounce back after a close opening result will be encouraging as they prepare for a demanding November schedule.
Scotland opened with a 47–38 win over Argentina and followed it with a competitive performance against South Africa, despite losing 42–28. They finished July with a 33–17 victory over Fiji.
Both sides have shown the potential to make an impact as the competition develops. Their November fixtures will provide another measure of their progress, with Scotland facing New Zealand in their opening match and France taking on Fiji.
What to watch when the Championship returns
The Northern Hemisphere series begins on 6 November, with Ireland hosting Argentina to open the next stage of the competition. The fixtures continue across three rounds in November, bringing the teams together again before the final rankings are confirmed.
There is still plenty to play for. South Africa and New Zealand will look to build on their strong starts, while England, France and Scotland will be aiming to carry their July performances into the next stage. Every result matters, with the final positions determining the matchups for Finals Weekend.
We will be keeping an eye on the scores as the November fixtures unfold, with the standings helping to shape what promises to be a fascinating conclusion to the competition.
Why Allianz?
There are few places in the UK with the rugby heritage of Allianz Stadium. Twickenham has been at the heart of English rugby for more than a century, hosting some of the sport’s biggest fixtures and becoming a familiar setting for supporters from around the world.
For the Nations Championship Finals Weekend, that history provides the backdrop to something slightly different. Three days of international rugby will bring teams from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres together, with two matches played each day as the tournament reaches its conclusion.
The location also makes it easy to build your day around the rugby. Twickenham is well connected by train, with the stadium just a short walk from Twickenham station, making it straightforward to arrive, settle into hospitality and enjoy the afternoon without rushing.
The road to Finals Weekend
The Nations Championship reaches its conclusion at Allianz Stadium from 27 to 29 November, bringing three days and 6 matches of international rugby to Allianz Stadium. The final matchups will be determined by the teams’ rankings, with each fixture contributing to the overall outcome and the top ranked sides meeting in Sunday’s Grand Final.
For supporters, it is an opportunity to see the competition’s story reach its conclusion in one setting, with six matches across the weekend, that means 2 matches per day included in you single ticket.
DTB Sports & Events are official hospitality providers for the Nations Championship Finals Weekend, with options designed to make more of the occasion. From food and drinks to the rugby itself, it is a chance to enjoy the final chapter of the competition with added comfort.
