Nations Championship Round 3 Predictions: The Rugby Nations Championship reaches its third and final round of the July block on Saturday, 18 July 2026. Six matches across three continents complete the opening phase of the inaugural competition, which brings together all 24 nations participating in the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Ireland, South Africa and New Zealand are the only sides with maximum points after two rounds, while Fiji, Australia and Italy are still searching for their first win.
Round 3 fixtures at a glance
| Date (EAT) | Match | Venue | KO (EAT) |
| Sat 18 Jul | New Zealand vs Ireland | Eden Park, Auckland | 10:10 |
| Sat 18 Jul | Japan vs France | National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo | 11:40 |
| Sat 18 Jul | Australia vs Italy | HBF Park, Perth | 13:10 |
| Sat 18 Jul | Fiji vs Scotland | Murrayfield, Edinburgh | 16:10 |
| Sat 18 Jul | South Africa vs Wales | Kings Park, Durban | 18:40 |
| Sat 18 Jul | Argentina vs England | Estadio Único, Santiago del Estero | 22:10 |
All kick-off times in EAT.
New Zealand vs Ireland — Eden Park, Auckland — 10:10 EAT
The All Blacks will defend their 32-year unbeaten record at Eden Park against the only side with maximum points alongside them in the standings. Will Jordan brings fresh momentum after his hat-trick against Italy took him to 50 Test tries — an All Blacks all-time record. Ireland, meanwhile, will rely on Stuart McCloskey, Joe McCarthy and Josh van der Flier to drive their challenge.
Their rivalry has intensified since Ireland claimed their first-ever win over New Zealand in 2016, but the All Blacks have since won the last three meetings, including a 28-24 victory in the 2023 World Cup quarter-final that snapped Ireland’s 17-match winning streak.
Japan vs France — National Olympic Stadium, Tokyo — 11:40 EAT
Japan face their stiffest home test of the series against a France side that recovered from a Round 1 defeat to New Zealand with an impressive 42-26 win over Australia. Japan lost their opening two matches, including a heavy defeat to Ireland. Even without Antoine Dupont and several other key players, France are clear favourites.
The two sides will also meet at the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia (Pool E), making this an important reconnaissance match for both camps. France scored six tries against the Wallabies last weekend and will be confident of another strong attacking performance.
Australia vs Italy — HBF Park, Perth — 13:10 EAT
Two winless sides meet in Perth with pride and home advantage the primary motivators for Joe Schmidt’s Australia in what is expected to be his final match as Wallabies head coach. Australia have started strongly in both previous matches before fading late. Italy are missing lock Niccolò Cannone through a four-week suspension.
Australia are on a six-test losing streak but are seeking their first win over Italy since 2018, having lost the previous two meetings. Italy’s spirited display against New Zealand showed their capacity to compete, but home advantage and the occasion should favour the Wallabies.
Fiji vs Scotland — Murrayfield, Edinburgh — 16:10 EAT
Scotland host a Fiji side that have conceded 112 points across their opening two rounds, including a 73-8 hammering by England. Gregor Townsend has made 14 changes, with only Gregor Brown retaining his place (shifting from lock to number eight). Darcy Graham and Duhan van der Merwe start on the wings; Gregor Hiddleston earns his first Test start at hooker.
Scotland lost to South Africa in Round 2 but beat Argentina in Round 1. Fiji, despite their heavy losses, have shown attacking intent and Scotland will need to be disciplined to avoid conceding easy scores. The home advantage and the scale of Fiji’s defensive problems make Scotland clear favourites.
South Africa vs Wales — Kings Park, Durban — 18:40 EAT
The Springboks chase a third consecutive Nations Championship victory at their Durban fortress. South Africa have been outstanding defensively throughout the competition — conceding tries from just 16 percent of opposition line breaks, the best in the tournament. Their most recent meeting with Wales ended in a 73-0 demolition, though World Cup history paints a closer picture: three semi-final encounters decided by four points or fewer (2011, 2015, 2019).
Wales have impressed at the lineout and converted half their line breaks into tries, matching Ireland for the best strike rate in the competition. However, South Africa’s defensive structure and home advantage make them strong favourites in Durban.
Argentina vs England — Estadio Único, Santiago del Estero — 22:10 EAT
The final fixture of the July Nations Championship block is a fitting conclusion. Argentina host England in Santiago del Estero in a fixture that echoes the rivalry being played out simultaneously on the football pitch between the two nations at the World Cup.
The Pumas recovered from a Round 1 defeat to Scotland by beating Wales and now host an England side they have never beaten in five Rugby World Cup meetings. England prevailed 27-10 in their 2023 World Cup pool-stage clash — despite playing most of the match with 14 men — and followed that with a 26-23 bronze medal win. A narrow 27-23 England win last November suggests momentum is with the tourists.
Both teams have excelled at the lineout: England with a perfect 100 percent success rate and Argentina close behind at 96 percent. The Pumas also maintain a flawless scrum record. This is expected to be the round’s most competitive and closely-contested fixture.
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