Nations Championship explained: how the new rugby tournament works
South Africa and France lead their pools and are favourites to meet in the Nations Championship final at Twickenham on November 30.
Rugby has a brand-new tournament: the Nations Championship pits Six Nations champions from the north against southern hemisphere champions in a playoff. South Africa and France top their pools and are favourites to meet in the final at Twickenham.
South Africa and New Zealand are the only unbeaten teams, but both are in the southern pool so only one makes the final. The Six Nations sides, France, Scotland, England and Ireland, are tough opponents but have not played for three months.
The southern teams arrive battle-hardened but missing key stars. The championship is a dress rehearsal for the Rugby World Cup in Australia in eleven months.
- November 30 at Twickenham
- Final date and venue
- France (north), South Africa (south)
- Pool leaders
Why it mattersThis is rugby's first genuine global playoff, letting fans see northern and southern hemisphere champions face off in a high-stakes format.
AustraliaAustralia hosts the 2027 Rugby World Cup and watches rivals use this championship to fine-tune form before that tournament.
