The inaugural Nations Championship got off to a spectacular start, with all six opening-round matches delivering drama, points and plenty of talking points.<\/p>\n
\u2b50 Save us to your Google Favourites <\/a>for nonstop RUCK content!<\/p>\n Every result from Nations Championship Week One:<\/p>\n New Zealand 34-32 France<\/p>\n Japan 27-10 Italy<\/p>\n Australia 31-33 Ireland<\/p>\n Fiji 24-39 Wales<\/p>\n South Africa 45-21 England<\/p>\n Argentina 38-47 Scotland<\/p>\n There were just two points between New Zealand and France, Ireland snatched a thrilling victory in Australia, while Scotland emerged from a 47-38 shootout against Argentina.<\/p>\n Elsewhere, Japan stunned Italy, Wales pulled clear late on to beat Fiji and world champions South Africa handed England a bruising defeat at Ellis Park.<\/p>\n But while plenty of players enhanced their reputations, others endured opening weekends they will want to forget.<\/p>\n Here are six players who flopped in Nations Championship Week One.<\/p>\n Louis Rees-Zammit (Wales)<\/p>\n With the experiment of using him as an international full-back seemingly over, the\u00a0Bristol Bears<\/a>\u00a0star returned to the wing against Fiji.<\/p>\n However, his comeback to the outside channels did not go to plan. Rees-Zammit received a brutal welcome back when he was driven into touch by both Isaiah Armstrong-Ravula and Frank Lomani.<\/p>\n Compared to the rest of the Welsh backline, the speedster was unusually quiet and struggled to impose himself on the contest.<\/p>\n Wales eventually ran in six tries to claim a 39-24 victory, but Rees-Zammit will know much more is required ahead of tougher Tests against Argentina and South Africa.\u00a0<\/p>\n Rees Zammit having an absolute stinker so far! Get Ellis Mee on!<\/p>\n \u2014 Raj (@raj_2406) July 4, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n Demba Bamba (France)<\/p>\n You are never going to become a consistent Test player if you cannot hold your own at scrum time, and that remains the biggest concern surrounding Bamba.<\/p>\n The France tighthead endured a torrid afternoon against New Zealand, conceding penalties at the set-piece as the All Blacks gradually gained the upper hand.<\/p>\n He was also guilty of a needless infringement in the loose during a performance littered with mistakes.<\/p>\n RugbyPass handed Bamba a 4.5\/10, while his opposite number Ethan de Groot was praised for his work against the French prop.<\/p>\n Demba Bamba \u00e9cope de la pire note du match des Bleus https:\/\/t.co\/Bc4flXN1cx<\/a><\/p>\n \u2014 blog-rct.com (@Blog_RCT) July 4, 2026<\/a> <\/p>\n