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.
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…
Scotland were booed off at Murrayfield after botching a 21-0 lead in a remarkable 33-24 defeat at the hands of in-form Argentina.
A Scotland comeback from 17 points behind in search of a historic first victory over New Zealand fell short on Saturday, as the All Blacks broke Scottish hearts to win 25-17 late on.
Duhan van der Merwe, Jamie Ritchie and Zander Fagerson are all notable absentees from Scotland's 23-man squad for Saturday's Murrayfield showdown with New Zealand.
Captain Caelan Doris returns for Ireland as one of eight changes to the side to face Japan in Dublin on Saturday.
©2025 Sky UK
