Nations Championship fixtures: Week 3 lineups and tips
Round Three of the Nations Championship fixtures lands on Saturday, July 18, 2026, wrapping the July window with six Tests: New Zealand vs Ireland, Japan vs France, Australia vs Italy, Fiji vs Scotland, South Africa vs Wales, and Argentina vs England. Hemispheres are tied at six wins each heading in. South Africa lead the southern pack, while France and Ireland look strongest up north, according to ESPN.
Key Takeaways
- Six Nations Championship fixtures close the July series on July 18, with UK kick-offs from 8:10am to about 8:10pm BST.
- Ireland chase an end to New Zealand’s long Eden Park unbeaten run; Ruben Love starts at fly-half for the All Blacks.
- Joe Schmidt’s final Wallabies Test is against Italy in Perth; England keep the same XV that beat Fiji to face Argentina.
- Rassie Erasmus hands Springboks debuts to Vusi Moyo and three others versus Wales in Durban.
- UK viewers can watch every game on ITV.
What are the Nations Championship fixtures this weekend?
Per The Independent and Planet Rugby, Round Three is the final weekend of the Southern Hemisphere Series. Kick-off times (BST) are: New Zealand vs Ireland at Eden Park (8:10am); Japan vs France in Tokyo (9:40am); Australia vs Italy in Perth (11:10am); Fiji vs Scotland at Murrayfield (2:10pm); South Africa vs Wales in Durban (4:40pm); Argentina vs England in Santiago del Estero (8:10pm).
Planet Rugby notes the hemispheres are deadlocked at six wins apiece, with the north ahead on points (399–377) and tries (57–53). Seedings for November’s Twickenham finals weekend are still taking shape. For more offbeat sports and viral stories, browse Bizarre News & Florida Man on BlasterPost.
Which team news and lineups matter most?
Dave Rennie again omits Beauden Barrett, backing Ruben Love at 10 with Damian McKenzie at fullback. Andy Farrell makes nine Ireland changes, restoring Hugo Keenan, Sam Prendergast, Garry Ringrose and others for a near-full-strength XV.
Australia host Italy as Schmidt’s last Test before Les Kiss takes over. Declan Meredith keeps the No. 10 shirt; Carlo Tizzano starts with Fraser McReight on the bench. Italy make nine changes and coach Gonzalo Quesada is suspended by World Rugby.
Scotland’s Gregor Townsend makes 14 changes for Fiji, with Gregor Brown the only retained starter (now at No. 8). England’s Steve Borthwick names an unchanged XV after the Fiji win, with Henry Pollock again on the bench. South Africa’s Vusi Moyo, 20, debuts at fly-half among four new caps against a Wales side that recalls Louis Rees-Zammit and captains Dewi Lake.
Where can you watch Round Three and what are the tips?
ITV has UK free-to-air rights for every Nations Championship match. Planet Rugby’s tip sheet leans All Blacks by five, France by 30, Wallabies by 10, Scotland by 20, Springboks by 40, and England by three.
France rotate the entire front row and start Alexandre Roumat at No. 8; scrum-half Paul Graou is set for a debut from the bench. Japan host at Tokyo National Stadium under referee Ben O’Keeffe. Across the board, Nic Berry (NZ–Ireland), Christophe Ridley (Aus–Italy), Matthew Carley (Fiji–Scotland), Andrew Brace (SA–Wales) and Angus Gardner (Argentina–England) take charge of the other Tests.