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…
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