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The first weekend of the new Nations Championship kicks off this weekend, with 12 of the world’s top sides in action
The new Nations Championship kicks off this weekend, with 12 of the world’s best sides all in action across a bumper-packed Saturday curtain-raiser.
The new tournament will replace the traditional summer and autumn fixtures, with the best of the two hemispheres facing each other – all building up to a finals weekend at the end of the year. Wales will take on Fiji, Argentina and South Africa this summer, before facing Japan, New Zealand and Australia in the autumn.
The other Six Nations sides will have their own variations on those fixtures. This weekend, France take on the All Blacks, Italy face Japan, Ireland are up against the Wallabies, England are pitted against the Springboks and Scotland are playing Argentina.
It promises to be an exciting day of Test rugby. Here’s what you need to know ahead of the start of the Nations Championship…
What channel is the Nations Championship on?
ITV have exclusive rights to every Nations Championship 2026 game.
Matches will either be shown on ITV1 or ITV4.
All of the matches will be available on the ITVX streaming service, as well as the broadcaster’s terrestrial channels.
ITVX is free to use, but you’ll need to complete a short registration to access the service. You also require a valid TV Licence to stream live TV in the UK.
What TV channel is New Zealand v France on?
New Zealand v France kicks off at 8.10am on Saturday, July 4, with the match being broadcast on ITV1.
Coverage for the match at One New Zealand Stadium in Christchurch begins at 7.30am.
What TV channel is Japan v Italy on?
Japan v Italy kicks off at 9.40am on Saturday, July 4, with the match being broadcast on ITV4.
Coverage for the match at Tokyo Chichibuomiya Stadium in Tokyo begins at 9.30am.
Last-minute Wales vs Fiji VIP and hospitality tickets
Seat Unique is offering last-minute VIP hospitality tickets for Wales’ Nations Championship match against Fiji at Cardiff City Stadium.
What TV channel is Australia v Ireland on?
Australia v Ireland kicks off at 11.10am on Saturday, July 4, with the match being broadcast on ITV1.
Coverage for the match at Allianz Stadium in Sydney begins at 10.30am.
What TV channel is Fiji v Wales on?
Fiji v Wales kicks off at 2.10pm on Saturday, July 4, with the match being broadcast on ITV1 and S4C.
Coverage for the match at Cardiff City Stadium in Cardiff begins at 1.20pm.
What TV channel is South Africa v England on?
South Africa v England kicks off at 4.40pm on Saturday, July 4, with the match being broadcast on ITV4.
Coverage for the match at Ellis Park in Johannesburg begins at 4.20pm.
What TV channel is Argentina v Scotland on?
Argentina v Scotland kicks off at 8.10pm on Saturday, July 4, with the match being broadcast on ITV4.
Coverage for the match at Estadio Mario Alberto Kempes in Cordoba begins at 7.30pm.
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