At the 2023 Rugby World Cup, the four best sides in the world by a considerable margin - and ranked in the top four as such - were Ireland, South Africa, France and New Zealand. Yet, all four ended up on the same side of the draw and met in the quarter-finals.
England will face Wales, Tonga and Zimbabwe in the pool stages of the Rugby World Cup in 2027.
Rugby's key dates, fixtures and schedule for 2026: England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, Red Roses, Six Nations, Nations Championship summer and Autumn Tests, Women's Six Nations.
Despite a near remarkable Irish effort to remain in the contest after being shown five cards and reduced to 12 players at one stage, South Africa posted a 24-13 win for a first success in Dublin since 2012.
Ireland head coach Andy Farrell has once again selected Sam Prendergast over Jack Crowley at fly-half for Saturday's huge clash against South Africa in Dublin.
Ireland head into the weekend's headline Autumn Nations Series clash against South Africa in Dublin as sizeable underdogs, but recent history suggests things may not prove straightforward for the Springboks.
It's been labelled a "tectonic shift", set to shake up the world of rugby union, but what is the Nations Championship - and how will it revolutionise the game? Here's all you need to know…
Mack Hansen grabbed a 28-minute hat-trick as Ireland secured a record and morale-boosting 46-19 victory over Australia in Dublin.
Ireland bounced back from defeat to New Zealand, beginning their home autumn internationals with a 41-10 win over Japan in Dublin.
Captain Caelan Doris returns for Ireland as one of eight changes to the side to face Japan in Dublin on Saturday.
New Zealand's All Blacks earned their Chicago revenge on Saturday with a 26-13 victory at Soldier Field after a highly controversial Tadhg Beirne 20-minute red card.
Jack Crowley has been restored as Ireland's starting fly-half for Saturday's clash against New Zealand at Soldier Field in Chicago in the headline team news on Andy Farrell's return.
November 5, 2016 - the date when Ireland and New Zealand's rugby rivalry changed forever at Soldier Field in Chicago.
Caelan Doris is expected to lead Ireland against the All Blacks in Chicago on Saturday after being confirmed as fit for the Soldier Field fixture.
Full schedule for the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France welcome New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina.
Eight of rugby's leading unions have released a shared statement in which they state any player who joins R360 will be banned from playing for their country.
Axelle Berthoumieu will miss the remainder of France's World Cup campaign despite her 12-match ban for biting Ireland's Aoife Wafer being reduced to nine games.
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