THE formal structure of a new global tournament bringing together rugby’s top countries from the northern and southern hemispheres was launched today, marking what organisers described as a “tectonic shift in the sport.”

Starting in 2026, the Nations Championship will unify the international calendar, taking the results of games in the existing July and November test windows into a league format and eventually setting up a finals weekend at Twickenham from November 27-29.

The teams making up the Six Nations — England, Ireland, Scotland, Wales, France and Italy — will each play three away games in July against those who are part of the Rugby Championship — Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa — as well as two invited countries, Fiji and Japan.

In November, those from the so-called “Southern Hemisphere group” will travel north for the remaining three rounds before the finale at the end of the month.

Each team will play all six rivals from the other hemisphere.

Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby, said the competition “has the power to redefine the future of rugby.”

“Rugby’s strongest nations have collaborated,” Harrison said, “with a clear vision to grow the game, by challenging traditional ways of operating to create a tournament structure with genuine global relevance, which will unlock the true value of the sport.”

The July fixtures will see South Africa, the world champion, host England, Scotland and Wales over successive weekends, while three-time World Cup winner New Zealand will be at home to France, Italy and Ireland.

“Each test we play against our northern hemisphere rivals will take on extra significance,” All Blacks coach Scott Robertson said.

The Nations Championship will take place in every year that does not feature a men’s Rugby World Cup or a British and Irish Lions tour.

The new competition was ratified by World Rugby in 2023.