Nations Championship: Steve Borthwick's England under pressure ahead of tough South Africa, Argentina Tests | Depleted Ireland seek Eden Park history

We look at some of the major talking points ahead of the summer's inaugural Nations Championship Tests...

Pressure on Borthwick's England to perform

England under Steve Borthwick have now had four Six Nations campaigns, failing to win silverware in all of them - championship title or Triple Crown.

In 2026, though, England experienced their worst Six Nations in history.

From five fixtures, they lost four for the first time ever, suffering defeat against Italy in a Test for the first time, as well as a record home loss to Ireland by a 42-21 margin at Twickenham.

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They lost to Scotland for the fifth time in six years as the wheels well and truly came off a championship campaign which began with comfortable victory over a poor Wales side at home.

After a last-gasp defeat to France in Paris on the final day, England were left fifth in the standings for the first time, for their lowest ever finish.

Their extremely underwhelming displays were all the more puzzling given England came into the Six Nations on a decent run of form which had seen them beat the likes of New Zealand and Australia in November, and Argentina in two Tests last summer.

But a lack of consistency, porous defence and uninventive or error-strewn attack has generally characterised Borthwick's time in charge, for all that the players at his disposal are clearly talented.

The RFU came out and backed Borthwick through to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia following what was described as "a challenging" Six Nations review, but the head coach will know he badly needs an uptick in performances and results.

Victory in Argentina and at home to Fiji are an absolute must this summer, while a daunting trip to face the Springboks first up on Saturday will surely need to see England compete at least.

Anything less than two victories from three and talk of Borthwick's exit will almost certainly return.

Ireland heavily depleted but have shot at Eden Park history

The All Blacks have not suffered defeat at Eden Park for 32 years, since July 1994 against France. It's a remarkable record, stretching 51 unbeaten Tests (49 defeats, two draws).

Of course, unlike Ireland at the Aviva Stadium or England at Twickenham, New Zealand travel around the country to play their Test matches, so the record is unique in that sense.

Over the three decades since that last defeat in Auckland, New Zealand have lost 15 home Tests, but none at Eden Park.

Eight losses have come in Wellington, four in Dunedin, two in Christchurch and one in Hamilton. The victors on Kiwi soil have been South Africa (five times), Australia (three times), Ireland (twice), Argentina (twice), England (once), France (once), British and Irish Lions (once).

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The Lions also drew a Test at Eden Park in the 2017 series decider, which is the closest any side has come to ending the run.

This summer, Ireland are the next team to get a shot at Eden Park glory - having won a historic and sensational Test series 2-1 in New Zealand in 2022 after losing the opener at the stadium - but they do so in a state far from the one they would have intended.

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Some 12 players have been ruled out of their Nations Championship summer campaign through an injury barrage bordering on a crisis.

A number of the absentees constitute bona fide starters too in No 8 and captain Caelan Doris, fly-half Jack Crowley, loosehead prop Andrew Porter, wings Mack Hansen and Tommy O'Brien and back-row Ryan Baird.

The IRFU also confirmed loosehead Paddy McCarthy, lock Edwin Edogbo, centre Tom Farrell, wing Shayne Bolton, prop Jack Boyle and wing Calvin Nash were among those who could not be considered due to injury.

James Lowe is also not part of the travelling party, owing to the fact he is leaving Ireland to play club rugby in Japan, and thus becomes ineligible for selection. Ireland also face Australia and Japan this summer.

Andy Farrell has achieved much with Ireland, and made history along the way. If they are able to conjure victory with this squad at Eden Park on Saturday July 18, however, it may just equal any of the achievements before now.

Can Scotland improve dreadful southern hemisphere record? Will Wales keep improving?

This summer, Scotland travel to face Argentina and South Africa, before hosting Fiji at Murrayfield.

As they get set to travel to the southern hemisphere, they will be intent on improving a woeful Test record on their travels.

They have never beaten South Africa away from home, have never beaten the All Blacks home or away, and have lost nine of 12 Tests against the Wallabies in Australia.

Even their travelling record against Argentina brings up painful memories: their 2022 three-Test series thrown away in the decider from a position of 15 points ahead in Santiago del Estero, ultimately losing the series 2-1.

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Gregor Townsend was a man under pressure during the Six Nations after a shock defeat to Italy in Rome, but stirring victories over England and France stemmed the criticism, only for Ireland to blow them away 43-21 on the final weekend in a Triple Crown shoot-out.

Were Scotland to fail to win in Argentina, and back it up with an expected loss in South Africa, Townsend and co will likely be in the spotlight once more.

And what of Wales? The Six Nations saw them markedly improve in terms of performances compared to previous years.

They too face Argentina and South Africa on their travels, and before that will consider their home Test with Fiji on Saturday July 4 as must-win. Outside that, competitiveness and further improvement will be the target.

2026 Nations Championship fixtures - all kick-off times BST

July 4

• New Zealand vs France (8.10am)
• Japan vs Italy (9.40am)
• Australia vs Ireland (11.10am)
• Fiji vs Wales (2.10pm)
• South Africa vs England (4.40pm)
• Argentina vs Scotland (8.10pm)

July 11

• New Zealand vs Italy (6.10am)
• Australia vs France (8.40am)
• Japan vs Ireland (11.10am)
• Fiji vs England (2.10pm)
• South Africa vs Scotland (4.40pm)
• Argentina vs Wales (8.10pm)

July 18

• New Zealand vs Ireland (8.10am)
• Japan vs France (9.40am)
• Australia vs Italy (11.10am)
• Fiji vs Scotland (2.10pm)
• South Africa vs Wales (4.40pm)
• Argentina vs England (8.10pm)