This summer, the home nations – England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland – will embark on tours to distant rugby destinations.
Traditionally, these teams head to the southern hemisphere, but this year’s tours are expanded in anticipation of a new men’s global competition starting in 2026.
**Who’s Playing Where?**
**England on Tour:**
England will make history by playing their first-ever series Test against Japan in Japan. This match will see Japan coach Eddie Jones face England for the first time since being sacked by the RFU. After Japan, England will head to New Zealand for two Tests, a significant challenge given their poor record there, with just one win this millennium.
**Wales on Tour:**
Wales will begin their tour with a Test against world champions South Africa in London, followed by two Tests against Australia. Under new coach Joe Schmidt, Australia poses a fresh challenge. Wales will also play against the club side Queensland Reds on this tour.
**Scotland on Tour:**
Scotland’s tour involves several destinations. They start in Ottawa against Canada, followed by matches in Washington DC against the USA, and Santiago against Chile. They conclude their tour in Montevideo against Uruguay. Scotland aims for a series of victories to build momentum.
**Ireland on Tour:**
Ireland will tour South Africa, playing two Tests. Despite South Africa’s status as double world champions, Ireland has the confidence from their last victory against South Africa at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. This series promises to be exciting.
**Elsewhere in Rugby:**
Italy will face Samoa, Tonga, and Japan. Fiji will take on the Barbarians and New Zealand. France will play against Argentina twice and Uruguay.
The expanded tours this summer mark a significant step towards the new global competition, offering exciting matchups and opportunities for each home nation.
This summer the home nations – England, Wales, Scotland and the island of Ireland – will tour far-flung rugby nations.
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This summer, the home nations – England, Wales, Scotland, and Ireland – will embark on tours to distant rugby destinations.
Traditionally, these teams head to the southern hemisphere, but this year’s tours are expanded in anticipation of a new men’s global competition starting in 2026.
**Who’s Playing Where?**
**England on Tour:**
England will make history by playing their first-ever series Test against Japan in Japan. This match will see Japan coach Eddie Jones face England for the first time since being sacked by the RFU. After Japan, England will head to New Zealand for two Tests, a significant challenge given their poor record there, with just one win this millennium.
**Wales on Tour:**
Wales will begin their tour with a Test against world champions South Africa in London, followed by two Tests against Australia. Under new coach Joe Schmidt, Australia poses a fresh challenge. Wales will also play against the club side Queensland Reds on this tour.
**Scotland on Tour:**
Scotland’s tour involves several destinations. They start in Ottawa against Canada, followed by matches in Washington DC against the USA, and Santiago against Chile. They conclude their tour in Montevideo against Uruguay. Scotland aims for a series of victories to build momentum.
**Ireland on Tour:**
Ireland will tour South Africa, playing two Tests. Despite South Africa’s status as double world champions, Ireland has the confidence from their last victory against South Africa at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. This series promises to be exciting.
**Elsewhere in Rugby:**
Italy will face Samoa, Tonga, and Japan. Fiji will take on the Barbarians and New Zealand. France will play against Argentina twice and Uruguay.
The expanded tours this summer mark a significant step towards the new global competition, offering exciting matchups and opportunities for each home nation.