The inaugural Nations Championship returns this weekend for its deciding stretch, with all 12 elite teams still in contention for silverware in the new global competition.
International rugby union takes centre stage for the next month as the tournament, designed to replace the traditional July and November Test windows, resumes with pool matches leading into a finals weekend at London's Allianz Stadium.
How the tournament works
The Nations Championship is a global event held every two years, featuring 12 top-tier teams split into two six-nation groups representing the northern and southern hemispheres. Japan and Fiji have joined the southern division alongside the traditional Rugby Championship sides to balance the standings.
Each nation plays six pool matches: three in July in the southern hemisphere and three in November in the northern hemisphere, facing only teams from the opposite pool. The points system follows the standard World Rugby framework, awarding 4 points for a win, 2 for a draw and 0 for a loss, plus bonus points for scoring four or more tries or losing within seven points.
After the six pool rounds, all 12 nations travel to London's Allianz Stadium (formerly Twickenham) from 27 to 29 November. Teams play a seed-versus-seed cross-hemisphere final, so first plays first for the overall title, second faces second, and so on.
July results and Wales' position
The July Tests proved a reality check for several European teams, with southern hemisphere sides making home advantage count. Wales opened with a 39-24 victory over Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium, a match designated as a home fixture for Fiji despite being held in Cardiff for logistical and financial reasons. Wales then lost to Argentina and South Africa on tour.
South Africa and New Zealand underlined their status as the world's top two teams, taking maximum points from their opening three fixtures, while France lead the northern hemisphere standings.
Wales next face Japan on 7 November at the Principality Stadium, followed by New Zealand and Australia. As things stand, Wales would meet Japan in the 5th v 5th final on the finals weekend.
Promotion and relegation from 2030
For this edition, the core 12-team line-up is fixed, with no promotion or relegation this year. However, a second-tier competition run by World Rugby, featuring Georgia, Spain, Portugal, Tonga, Samoa and USA, is operating concurrently. Starting in 2030, a promotion and relegation play-off system is expected between the top tier and the challenger tier.
While there is no immediate threat of dropping down this month, relegation for Wales from 2030 would be catastrophic from a sporting and financial perspective.
World rankings and upcoming fixtures
World Rugby's official rankings will fluctuate weekly through November. As of now, South Africa and New Zealand exchange blows at the top, followed by Ireland and France. England, Scotland, Australia and Argentina occupy the middle spots. Wales sit 10th, just behind Fiji and close to Italy and Japan beneath them.
The November fixtures begin with Ireland v Argentina on 6 November, followed by Wales v Japan on 7 November, and conclude with Wales v Australia on 21 November.
