Andy Farrell's injury-ravaged Ireland secured a madcap 33-31 victory over Australia in Sydney in the opening round of rugby's inaugural Nations Championship.
We look at some of the major talking points ahead of the summer's inaugural Nations Championship Tests...
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 captain Maro Itoje and head coach Steve Borthwick have both said their aims are "definitely to win the 2027 Rugby World Cup" in Australia, reacting to Wednesday's pool stage draw.
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…
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