The inaugural Rugby Nations Championships has been cracking through July, but the tournament is now on a break until later in the year.
The six best teams from the northern hemisphere and the six best from the southern hemisphere will face off over two separate stages in July and November.
WALLABIES IN 4K: Watch every match of the Nations Championship live and on demand on Stan Sport
At the end of the group stage, the leaders of the northern and southern hemispheres will square off in the final, with the other teams playing off for the minor placings.
The Sporting News explains when the Nations Championship will return.
When will the Nations Championship start again?
After three matches for each nation in July, the final three rounds and finals will be played in November, 2026.
The next match in the competition will be on Saturday, November 7 (AEST) as Ireland host Argentina in Dublin.
WALLABIES IN 4K: Watch every match of the Nations Championship live and on demand on Stan Sport
This will commence three weekends in a row where each nation will play three games – hosted in the northern hemisphere.
The first-ever Rugby Nations Championship final will take place on Monday, November 30 (AEST) at Twickenham Stadium as part of a weekend of action that will see all 12 countries compete (sixth vs. sixth, fifth vs. fifth from each table).
Nations Championship Northern Hemisphere Standings
WALLABIES IN 4K: Watch every match of the Nations Championship live and on demand on Stan Sport
PosTeamPTSGPWLDPTS DIFBonus1.France1232104142.Scotland1132101133.England 1032104824.Ireland103210-125.Wales53130-4216.Italy03030-940Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Standings
WALLABIES IN 4K: Watch every match of the Nations Championship live and on demand on Stan Sport
PosTeamPTSGPWLDPTS DIFBonus1.South Africa1533008132.New Zealand1533005133.Australia831202944.Argentina73120-235.Japan43120-2606.Fiji03030-960Northern Hemisphere Schedule: Fixtures & Results RoundMatchDate (AEST)Round 4Ireland vs. ArgentinaNovember 7, 2026Round 4Italy vs. South AfricaNovember 7, 2026Round 4Scotland vs. New Zealand November 8, 2026Round 4Wales vs. JapanNovember 8, 2026Round 4France vs. FijiNovember 8, 2026Round 4England vs. AustraliaNovember 9, 2026Round 5France vs. South AfricaNovember 14, 2026Round 5Italy vs. ArgentinaNovember 14, 2026Round 5Wales vs. New ZealandNovember 15, 2026Round 5England vs. JapanNovember 15, 2026Round 5Ireland vs. FijiNovember 15, 2026Round 5Scotland vs. AustraliaNovember 16, 2026Round 6England vs. New ZealandNovember 22, 2026Round 6Scotland vs. JapanNovember 22, 2026Round 6Ireland vs. South AfricaNovember 22, 2026Round 6Italy vs. FijiNovember 22, 2026Round 6Wales vs. AustraliaNovember 22, 2026Round 6France vs. Argentina November 22, 2026How does the Nations Championship work? Format explained
WALLABIES IN 4K: Watch every match of the Nations Championship live and on demand on Stan Sport
Each country plays six games against the six teams from the other hemisphere so, for example, England take on New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Fiji and Japan.
Despite that, there will be two tables with the six countries from the northern hemisphere in one and the six countries from the southern hemisphere in the other.
The two countries who finish top of their respective tables will then meet in the inaugural Rugby Nations Championship final.