Latest Rugby Union International News

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Black Rams vs Kobe Steel Predictions - Kobe Steel set to beat the Black Rams for a fifth straight time
Tokyo Sungoliath vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Predictions - Brave Lupus to see off Tokyo Sungoliath
Toyota Verblitz vs Urayasu D-Rocks Predictions - Toyota Verblitz to down the D-Rocks
Kubota Spears vs Wild Knights Predictions - Kubota to prevail against the Wild Knights in their top of the table clash
Tokyo Sungoliath vs Mitsubishi Dynaboars Predictions - Sungoliath too good for the Dynaboars at home
Tokyo Sungoliath vs Canon Eagles Predictions - Sungoliath to condemn the Canon Eagles to another defeat
Honda vs Shizuoka Blue Revs Predictions - Shizuoka Blue Revs to edge Honda away
Kobe Steel vs Wild Knights Predictions - Wild Knights to see off Kobe Steel
Toyota Verblitz vs Toshiba Brave Lupus Predictions - Brave Lupus to condemn Verblitz to another defeat
Black Rams vs Urayasu D-Rocks Predictions - Black Rams to win back-to-back JRLO games
Kubota Spears vs Mitsubishi Dynaboars Predictions - Kubota Spears to tame the Dynaboars at home
Tokyo Sungoliath vs Honda Predictions - Tokyo Sungoliath set to return to winning ways
Shizuoka Blue Revs vs Mitsubishi Dynaboars Predictions - Shizuoka Blue Revs to down the Dynaboars at home
Honda vs Kubota Spears Predictions - Kubota Spears to add more misery upon Honda
Toshiba Brave Lupus vs Mitsubishi Dynaboars Predictions - Toshiba too good for the Dynaboars at home
Urayasu D-Rocks vs Canon Eagles Predictions - D-Rocks to condemn the Canon Eagles to another defeat
Shizuoka Blue Revs vs Urayasu D-Rocks Predictions - Shizuoka Blue Revs to return to winning ways
Kubota Spears vs Tokyo Sungoliath Predictions - Kubota Spears set to secure a home victory against Sungoliath
Wild Knights vs Urayasu D-Rocks Predictions - Wild Knights too good for the Urayasu D-Rocks
Honda vs Kobe Steel Predictions - Kobe Steel to keep undefeated record against Honda intact
More news


Rugby Union Internationals


Every year Rugby Internationals are played by tier one, two and three nations. Sometimes, their are games across tiers as well.

Outside of the big tournaments such as the Rugby World Cup, Six Nations and Rugby Championship, other international fixtures take place that have no material affect on any tournament, however, they do count towards ranking points.

Every year, in June/July, Northern Hemisphere sides tour the three major Southern Hemisphere teams in South Africa, Australia and New Zealand. Generally, one team will tour each country and play a series of two or three matches.

In October/November, the roles of reversed when the Southern Hemisphere tours up north. There is no series as each team plays three or four European nations on successive weekends.

There will be a more formalised tournament in the Nations Cup taking place from 2025. In years to come, there is also hope of a global calendar where both hemispheres play at the same time.


Rugby Union Internationals Free Bets


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2026 Rugby Union International Fixtures


Fixtures for 15 November 2025

Italy vs South Africa
England vs New Zealand
Wales vs Japan
France vs Fiji
Ireland vs Australia

Fixtures for 16 November 2025

Scotland vs Argentina

Rugby Union Men's Rankings


Below is the men's rugby union rankings as of 11 November 2025.

After the matches played on 8 & 9 November, there have been some minor shifts in the rankings. Australia will be the most concerned after losing to Italy as a Scotland win this weekend coupled with an Australian defeat could see the Wallabies drop out of the top seven ahead of the World Cup draw.

South Africa increased their lead at the top while New Zealand retained second place. Ireland are under some pressure in third place and face Australia this weekend. England moved above France following their win against Fiji, coupled with the French defeat to South Africa.

A win this weekend for England against New Zealand will make put them right on the heels of Ireland, if Ireland fail to beat the Wallabies.

PositionTeamPTS
1South Africa93.06
2New Zealand91.35
3Ireland88.85
4England88.06
5France86.95
6Argentina84.30
7Australia81.69
8Scotland81.21
9Fiji81.15
10Italy78.98

Rugby Union Women's Rankings


Below is the women's Rugby Union rankings as of 31 October 2025.

Position
Team
PTS
1England98.09
2Canada91.53
3New Zealand89.85
4France83.60
5Ireland78.20
6Scotland77.39
7Australia75.46
8USA72.90
9Italy72.37
10South Africa71.62

Rugby Union Internationals FAQ

When are Rugby Union Internationals played?

Rugby Union International matches are played all year round. While matches between international sides in big tournaments such as the World Cup are also international matches, you also get incoming and outgoing tours that do not form part of any of the major tournaments. Northern Hemisphere teams normally tour the Southern Hemisphere in June while the Southern Hemisphere tour up North in October and November.

Where are Rugby Union Internationals played?

Rugby Union International matches are played all over the globe. Form Australia and New Zealand to South Africa, England, France, Wales, Ireland and Italy. The USA, Japan and many many other countries host Rugby Union International matches.

When did Rugby Union become a professional sport?

Rugby Union became a professional sport in after the 1995 Rugby World Cup. Since then the sport has taken off which has a growth in smaller rugby nations.

Rugby Union News

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