Whilst England and Ireland have ended their Test match tours for the Summer, there are still plenty of matches to enjoy this weekend, featuring the world’s top rugby nations.
As Steve Borthwick and Andy Farrell’s sides enjoy some well earned down-time, there are no breaks just yet for the rest of the world. Here is a run down of the seven exciting Summer internationals that are kicking off across the weekend. We’ve included kick off times and the hosting TV channels, for those that are setting their alarms to watch every minute of the action.
Friday July 19th
Queensland Reds vs Wales
Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane, Australia
Kick Off Time: 10:55am UK (7:55pm local time)
How to Watch: Sky Sports Action
This weekend’s action commences tomorrow morning, with Wales hoping to end their miserable run of recent form. Warren Gatland’s side take on Australian Super Rugby club the Queensland Reds, in a bid to end their run of nine consecutive defeats. Given the domestic nature of the opposition, this match is not taking Test status, but is equally as important to the touring Wales squad.
After taking the wooden spoon in the 2024 Guinness Six Nations, Wales were put to the sword by South Africa at Twickenham, to commence their Summer Test Series. The Springboks ran rampant in the second half, and broke away from a hearty Welsh first half effort for a 41-13 win. Wales then headed down to Australia for a two match Test series against the Wallabies, and suffered back-to-back defeats to Joe Schmidt’s new side, with the score-lines reading 25-16 in Sydney and 36-28 in Melbourne.
Saturday July 20th
New Zealand vs Fiji
Snapdragon Stadium, San Diego, United States
Kick Off Time 03:30am UK (07:30pm Friday local time)
How to Watch: Flo Rugby, Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports Main Event
The All Blacks look in impressive form ahead of their trip ‘Stateside’, as they get set to build upon their two-match clean sweep of victories against England. Newly appointed head coach Scott Robertson has gotten off to winning ways with New Zealand, as his side secured a narrow one point win over England in Dunedin (16-15), before a more convincing triumph at the All Blacks’ spiritual home of Eden Park (24-17).
Fiji were back in action in June, for their first match since the Rugby World Cup. The Pacific Islanders took on a stacked Barbarians side at Twickenham, and were beaten 45-32 by a Baa-Baas squad that featured the likes of All Blacks legend Sam Whitelock, and former England internationals Ben Youngs, Danny Care, Kyle Sinckler and Jonny May. Fiji have since turned their results around, and achieved an impressive 21-12 win over Georgia a fortnight ago.
Australia vs Georgia
Allianz Stadium, Sydney, Australia
Kick Off Time: 06:45am UK (03:45pm local)
How to Watch: Flo Rugby, Sky Sports Action, Sky Sports Main Event
Riding a wave of momentum following back-to-back wins over Wales, Australia welcome Georgia to Sydney to round off their Summer of Test matches. The Wallabies look like a rejuvenated side under their new head coach Joe Schmidt, with the New Zealander promptly picking up the pieces and rebuilding the squad that Eddie Jones departed after the Rugby World Cup. As previously mentioned, Georgia are battle tested following a recent run-in with Fiji, and are ready to step up to Australia’s challenge.
Georgia have recorded some memorable wins in recent Summer Tests, as recently as 2022 the Eastern Europeans defeated Wales in Tbsilli, when former Wales coach Wayne Pivac was at the helm. Now under the guidance of head coach Richard Cockerill, the former England and Leicester Tigers hooker will be hoping to replicate a similar win this weekend, after his side won their seventh consecutive Rugby Europe Championship title.
South Africa vs Portugal
Free State Stadium, Bloemfontein, South Africa
Kick Off Time: 04:00pm UK (05:00pm Local)
How to Watch: Flo Rugby, Sky Sports Arena
It will be interesting to see what sort of a squad Springboks head coach Rassie Erasmus selects to take on Portugal, after his side were left battled and bruised following their trio of international Tests. Beginning with the win over Wales, South Africa rolled this momentum on into a stunning triumph over Ireland. However, Andy Farrell’s men returned fire in the second Test through the boot of Ciaran Frawley, with the Leinster centre slotting a last ditch winning drop goal.
Portugal enter the Free State Stadium with nothing to lose, and the hope of putting in a performance that they can be proud with against the back-to-back World Champions. Portugal were impressive in their recent Rugby World Cup campaign, as the Iberians achieved an unexpected win against Fiji, to mark a historic first victory at the tournament. Portugal’s most recent fixture was a heavy 15-try defeat to England A, with the match at Franklin’s Gardens ending 91-5 to George Skivington’s side.
Uruguay vs Argentina
Estadio Domingo Burgueno, Maldonado, Uruguay
Kick Off Time: 08:00pm UK (04:00pm Local)
How to Watch: Flo Rugby, Sky Sports Arena
This South American derby will be an entertaining watch for the neutrals, with high-octane fast flowing rugby expected in Maldonado. Uruguay enter the fray following a Summer exhibition defeat to France, in what was their first Test match since their emphatic 73-0 defeat to New Zealand wrapped up their Rugby World Cup. Uruguay achieved a historic first ever World Cup victory last year against Namibia, but their most recent outing saw them suffer a 43-28 defeat to Fabien Galthie’s side.
Argentina come into the match after a two-match series, which was also against France. Los Pumas achived a remarkable victory in their most recent match against Les Blues, with the 33-25 win tying up the Tests against Galthie’s men. The prior match saw France take the win from the first Test, with a 28-13 win against the Rugby World Cup Bronze Finallists.
Chile vs Scotland
Estadio Nacional, Santiago, Chile
Kick Off Time: 08:00pm UK (03:00pm Local)
How to Watch: BBC Scotland, TNT Sports 2, BBC iplayer, BBC Sport (website), Discovery+
Scotland are mid-way through their epic Summer tour of the Americas, as they commence their tour of Sudamerica this Saturday. Gregor Townsend’s side have already conquered the Northern continent, as Scotland accrued emphatic wins over Canada (73-12) and the USA (43-7) over the past fortnight. Scotland’s first match in South America is against the recent Rugby World Cup debutants Chile, before the tour is wrapped up against Uruguay on July 27th.
Chile have been in action since their Rugby World Cup Pool D exit last year, with two Summer Test matches already under their belt. Los Condores achieved back-to-back wins to kick-start their campaign, first coming at home against Hong Kong in a 22-17 triumph. The most recent fixture saw the Chileans defeat Rugby Europe Championship side Belguim, with the marker laid down in a 33-5 home hammering.
Sunday July 21st
Japan vs Italy
Sapporo Dome, Sapporo, Japan
Kick Off: 06:05am UK (02:05pm Local)
How to Watch: DAZN
Rounding off the action of the international tests to watch this weekend, Japan and Italy go head to head for an enticing Sunday afternoon encounter for the UK & Ireland neutrals. However, England fans could well be backing the Azzurri, with former head coach Eddie Jones at the helm of Japan. The Brave Blossoms recently took on England in a losing effort, as Steve Borthwick’s side racked up an impressive 52-17 win before heading to New Zealand. Add in a narrow 25-23 defeat to Georgia, and Japan have certainly been battle tested in recent weeks.
Italy head up to the Far East in a reverse of England’s recent tour, as the Azzurri have been using Auckland, New Zealand as their team base for their recent run of Tests against Pacific Island opponents. Gonzalo Quesada’s side headed out to Samoa, yet came away on the losing side of a 33-25 score-line. Up next was the equally tough Tongans, yet Italy were able to clip the wings of the Sea Eagles for a 36-14 triumph.
The post ‘Summer Tests Continue’ – Seven International Matches to Watch this Weekend appeared first on Ruck.
