Rugby Nations Championship standings 2026: Updated results, tables and fixtures

The inaugural Rugby Nations Championship gets under way this weekend with the 12 best nations in the sport competing to win the sport's latest tournament. 

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. 

Back-to-back world champions South Africa are favourites having dominated over the last decade, while Six Nations champions France and New Zealand are likely to be their closest challengers. 

Les Bleus suffered a big blow prior to kick off with captain Antoine Dupont set to sit out the first three rounds but Bordeaux scrum half Maxime Lucu is in the form of his life and set for a starring role. 

Here is everything else you need to know about the 2026 Nations Championship!

Nations Championship Northern Hemisphere Standings 

Nations Championship Southern Hemisphere Standings 

MORE: How to watch Nations Championship 2026 rugby: Live streams, TV channels

Southern Hemisphere Schedule: Fixtures & Results 

Northern Hemisphere Schedule: Fixtures & Results 

What is the Nations Championship in rugby? 

Billed as a clash between the north and south hemispheres, the Nations Championship sees rugby's top 12 international sides compete against each other over two phases in July and November with three games taking place in each month. 

The Six Nations sides (England, Ireland, Wales, Scotland, France and Italy) will face the four Rugby Championship (New Zealand, South Africa, Australia and Argentina) as well as Fiji and Japan. 

How does the Nations Championship work? Format explained 

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. 

When is the Rugby Nations Championship final? 

The first-ever Rugby Nations Championship final will take place on Sunday, November 29 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).