The inaugural Nations Championship moves into its second round this Saturday, July 11, 2026, featuring a full slate of six international fixtures. With the All Blacks hosting Italy in Wellington and the Wallabies facing France in Brisbane, the global tournament schedule spans time zones from New Zealand to Argentina, as confirmed by official match organizers.
All Blacks and Wallabies Face Key Tests
New Zealand enters its match against Italy at Hnry Stadium with a projected 30-point advantage, according to tournament predictions. The All Blacks have named Ardie Savea as captain, leading a squad that includes Jordie Barrett at inside centre and Ruben Love at fly-half. Italy, captained by Michele Lamaro, looks to disrupt the hosts with a starting XV that features Tommaso Allan at fullback and Paolo Garbisi at 10.
In Brisbane, the Wallabies are managing a significant shift in their backline. Head coach Joe Schmidt has handed the fly-half reins to Declan Meredith for the clash against France. This decision comes as the team grapples with a well-documented fly-half crisis. France, meanwhile, enters the match as 10-point favorites, with Maxime Lucu captaining a side that includes Romain Ntamack at 10 and Matthieu Jalibert at fullback.
The Nations Championship spans diverse venues, including matches at Suncorp Stadium in Australia, McDonald Jones Stadium, and Loftus Versfeld in South Africa.
Northern Hemisphere Contenders and Southern Giants
Ireland travels to Newcastle, Australia, to face Japan, with analysts predicting a 12-point margin in favor of the Irish. Tadhg Beirne will captain an Ireland side featuring Ciaran Frawley at fly-half, while Warner Dearns leads a Japanese team looking to capitalize on home-region support. The match is officiated by Andrea Piardi of the FIR.
England’s match against Fiji in Liverpool carries the largest predicted point spread of the round, with England expected to win by 18. Steve Borthwick has named an England squad featuring Fin Smith at 10 and Marcus Smith at fullback. The Fijian side, led by captain Tevita Khanivere, features Josua Tuisova in the midfield.
In Pretoria, South Africa faces Scotland at Loftus Versfeld. The Springboks are favored by 12 points, with Pieter-Steph du Toit taking the captaincy. Scotland’s challenge is spearheaded by captain Sione Tuipulotu and fly-half Finn Russell.
Tournament Logistics and Broadcaster Access
The final match of the day sees Argentina host Wales in San Juan. Argentina is predicted to win by 10 points. Julian Montoya captains the Pumas, while Dewi Lake leads a Welsh squad that includes the versatile Louis Rees-Zammit among the replacements.
Global coverage is extensive, with matches broadcast on ITV in the UK, TF1 in France, Sky Sport in New Zealand, and Stan Sport in Australia. Fans in South Africa can catch the action on SuperSport, while Japanese supporters have access via Wowow.
Check your local listings carefully. Due to the international nature of the tournament, kickoff times vary significantly—the England-Fiji match starts at 14:10 local time, while the South Africa-Scotland fixture begins at 17:40 in Pretoria.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I watch the Nations Championship matches?
Broadcasters vary by region. Major providers include ITV (UK), Sky Sport (New Zealand), Nine Network/Stan Sport (Australia), and SuperSport (South Africa).
Who are the captains for the major teams in Round Two?
Key captains include Ardie Savea (New Zealand), Michele Lamaro (Italy), Harry Wilson (Australia), Tadhg Beirne (Ireland), Tevita Khanivere (Fiji), Pieter-Steph du Toit (South Africa), and Julian Montoya (Argentina).
Are there any major injury concerns for the Wallabies?
The Wallabies are currently navigating a fly-half crisis, which has led to Declan Meredith being named as the starting fly-half for the match against France.
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