Nations Championship 2026: Where Every Team Stands

Rugby’s newest international competition is back. After three rounds of the Nations Championship in July, the inaugural tournament returns this Friday for its November leg, with 18 matches across Europe before Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

South Africa and New Zealand are still perfect, France lead the northern conference and just two points separate the top four in Europe. There is everything still to play for. Here is where every team stands heading into Round 4.

1. How the Nations Championship Works

Twelve teams are split into two conferences. The northern conference is made up of the six Six Nations sides: England, France, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales. The southern conference brings together Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, plus Fiji and Japan.

Each team plays all six sides in the opposite conference once, three at home and three away. Standard points apply: four for a win, two for a draw, a bonus point for scoring four or more tries and a bonus point for losing by fewer than eight.

After Round 6, every team is paired with its equivalent in the other conference at Finals Weekend, from first v first for the title all the way down to sixth v sixth. On top of that, there is a running north v south tally, which sits at nine wins apiece after July. Every position, and every point, matters.

2. Northern Conference: Where Each Team Stands

Pos	Team	P	W	L	PD	Pts
1	France	3	2	1	+41	12
2	Scotland	3	2	1	+11	11
3	England	3	2	1	+48	10
4	Ireland	3	2	1	-1	10
5	Wales	3	1	2	-42	5
6	Italy	3	0	3	-94	0

France lost a thriller 34-32 to New Zealand in Christchurch, then put 42 points past both Australia and Japan. Maxime Lucu leads the competition with 37 points. Next up: Fiji in Lyon, then South Africa and Argentina at Stade de France.

Scotland won a 47-38 shootout in Córdoba, lost in Pretoria and beat Fiji 33-17 at Murrayfield. All three November matches are at home, against New Zealand, Australia and Japan.

England recovered from a 45-21 defeat at Ellis Park with a 73-8 win over Fiji in Liverpool, featuring a Henry Pollock hat-trick, and a 31-24 victory in Santiago del Estero. Their +48 points difference is the best in the north. Australia, Japan and New Zealand all visit Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Ireland edged Australia 33-31 and beat Japan 36-20 before a 40-21 defeat at Eden Park. Argentina, Fiji and South Africa come to Dublin.

Wales opened with a 39-24 win over Fiji but lost to Argentina and South Africa. They host Japan, New Zealand and Australia in Cardiff.

Italy are still searching for a first win. South Africa, Argentina and Fiji all travel to Italy, and the Fiji match in Udine on 21 November could decide who avoids sixth place.

3. Southern Conference: Where Each Team Stands

Pos	Team	P	W	L	PD	Pts
1	South Africa	3	3	0	+81	15
2	New Zealand	3	3	0	+51	15
3	Australia	3	1	2	+29	8
4	Argentina	3	1	2	-2	7
5	Japan	3	1	2	-26	4
6	Fiji	3	0	3	-96	0

South Africa have taken maximum points, with a try bonus in every match. Their November run of Italy, France and Ireland is brutal, and the France match on 13 November has the feel of a final preview.

New Zealand are level on points and have the competition’s leading try scorer in Will Jordan, with six. They face Scotland, Wales and England.

Australia picked up bonus points in defeats to Ireland and France, then thrashed Italy 57-10 in Perth, with Josh Canham scoring a hat-trick. England, Scotland and Wales await.

Argentina beat Wales 35-21 and earned bonus points against Scotland and England. Ireland, Italy and France lie ahead.

Japan opened with a 27-10 win over Italy in Tokyo. They play Wales, England and Scotland.

Fiji played all three of their “home” matches on British soil and are yet to get off the mark. France, Ireland and Italy are next.

4. Five November Fixtures to Watch

All kick-off times are GMT, and every match is shown on ITV in the UK.

Ireland v Argentina – Friday, 6 November, Aviva Stadium, 20:10. The November leg opens with two sides who both need a win to stay in touch.
Scotland v New Zealand – Saturday, 7 November, Scottish Gas Murrayfield, 14:10. Scotland’s biggest home test of the year.
France v South Africa – Friday, 13 November, Stade de France, 20:10. First in the north against first in the south.
England v New Zealand – Saturday, 21 November, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, 14:10. A classic rivalry with Finals Weekend seeding on the line.
Ireland v South Africa – Saturday, 21 November, Aviva Stadium, 16:40. Arguably the toughest final-round fixture in the competition.

5. What Is at Stake at Finals Weekend

Finals Weekend runs from Friday, 27 November to Sunday, 29 November, with all six matches at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. The title is decided on Sunday, 29 November at 16:40, when the two conference winners meet. If the tables stayed as they are, that would be France v South Africa.

With Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia now less than a year away, there is more than a new trophy riding on these matches. Every selection, combination and result this month will shape how teams arrive in 2027.

6. Gear Up for the Matches

Gilbert balls are trusted by unions across both conferences, from England and France to New Zealand and Australia. Whether you are watching from the stands or practicing in the garden at half-time, there is a ball to back your team.

Show your colours with the full Six Nations collection, featuring replica and supporter balls for every northern conference nation. Backing a side from the south? Our replica rugby balls include the All Blacks and Argentina, and are built to be played with, not just put on a shelf. Ready to step up to the real thing? Explore our match ball range.

[carousel]

Three rounds to go, one title to win. Whoever you are backing this November, make sure you are match-ready.