Fixtures and standings as Nations Championship returns on Friday

The inaugural Nations Championship resumed with Ireland moving top of the northern hemisphere standings following a 42-12 victory over Argentina. After July matches hosted in the southern hemisphere, the tournament shifted north for the final three rounds, featuring Six Nations participants against southern powers including South Africa, New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, Fiji, and Japan.

The tournament culminates in a November play-off weekend at Allianz Stadium in Twickenham, where equivalent-ranked teams from each hemisphere clash to determine final standings. A Ryder Cup-style format will crown the winning hemisphere, alongside the main final between the top-ranked teams to decide the overall champion.