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.
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…
Louis Rees-Zammit will make his first international start since returning to rugby union from the NFL when Wales face Japan in Cardiff on Saturday in a match which is crucial to the hosts' hopes of landing a more-favourable 2027 Rugby World Cup draw.
Captain Caelan Doris returns for Ireland as one of eight changes to the side to face Japan in Dublin on Saturday.
Full schedule for the 2025 Autumn Nations Series, as England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales and France welcome New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina.
Eve Higgins pounced with the key try as Ireland emerged from a test of character to launch their World Cup with a 42-14 victory over Japan.
Wales suffered their 18th successive international defeat after surrendering a half-time lead to lose 24-19 to Japan in Kitakyushu.
England ran in nine tries as they cruised to a 59-14 victory over Japan at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, ending their Autumn Nations Series with a win.
Ellis Genge says "good bloke" Eddie Jones will "have tricks up his sleeve" and relish the occasion when he coaches Japan against England on Sunday.
Cadan Murley and Tom Curry have been called up to the England squad ahead of their Test match against Japan at Twickenham on Sunday.
Scotland made it two wins from as many games in their WXV2 campaign with a 19-13 victory over Japan in Cape Town.
Wales ended a record run of 10 successive home Test defeats and gave new head coach Steve Tandy his first win by claiming a dramatic 24-23 victory over Japan in Cardiff.
England opened their summer tour in style with an eight-try rout of Japan but Steve Borthwick says significant improvement is required if they are to trouble New Zealand.
Marcus Smith shone as England inflicted a crushing 52-17 defeat on their former head coach Eddie Jones to give their summer tour lift-off in Tokyo.
Eddie Jones has warned England they will be taken to the wire as Japan target a major upset, while Jamie George says Jones' mind games won't unsettle them.
Marcus Smith will return to England's starting XV to face Japan on Saturday as Steve Borthwick's side prepare for next month's tour of New Zealand
England will come up against former head coach Eddie Jones when Japan visit Twickenham in November.
Japan's new head coach Eddie Jones stressed that he was not interviewed for the role before the World Cup where he oversaw Australia's disastrous campaign.
He resigned after a disastrous spell back in charge of Australia, and was sacked by England. Why might Japan want to hire Eddie Jones?
Eddie Jones has been announced as the new head coach for Japan less than two months on from his resignation as Australia coach.
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