Whilst the British & Irish Lions tour of Australia has understandably taken poll position in terms of rugby’s media coverage, there are also an array of international Summer tours currently ongoing across the world.
The representatives of the Six Nations have all jetted off on respective Summer expeditions, with the second round of Test matches set for this Saturday. Whilst the Lions travel across the vast expanses of the various Australian territories, we’ve got all the tier one national tours covered ahead of the second weekend. Here is a recap and rundown of all the action from across the globe.
All upcoming matches to take place on Saturday, July 12th
Scotland tour of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands
1st Test: Maori All Blacks 26 – 29 Scotland
2nd Test: Fiji vs Scotland – HFC Bank Stadium, Suva (04:00am KO GMT)
3rd Test: Samoa vs Scotland – Eden Park, Auckland (Friday 18th July – 09:05am KO GMT)
Scotland commenced their globe trotting tour of New Zealand and the South Pacific this past weekend, with an end-to-end clash with the Maori All Blacks. Gregor Townsend had to make a swift alteration to his playbook, as his leading scrum half Ben White was called up as a late replacement for the Lions tour, after Tomos Williams sustained a tour-ending injury in Perth against Western Force.
Townsend changed tack with George Horne taking the nine jersey, in what was a monumental performance from the halfback. Horne crossed over for two tries against the Maori All Blacks, with wings Arron Reed and Harry Paterson also making their way over the whitewash in Scotland colours. Adam Hastings took a commandering role at 10 with some well-struck conversions, before New Zealand-born fly half Fergus Burke enjoyed a 22-minute outing upon the return to his homeland.
After a successful first crack on their tour of Oceania, Scotland now head off to Suva, for an eagerly anticipated Test match against Fiji. The Flying Fijians are match ready after this past weekend, as the Pacific Islanders pulled no punches in Australia’s pre-Lions series tune-up. The Wallabies narrowly triumphed 21-18 over Fiji, yet the physicality of the fray was felt by leading Australian 10 Noah Lolesio, who’s neck injury could now see him miss the Test series against the Lions.
Tries from back row Lekima Tagitagivalu and fullback Salesi Rayasi helped tick over the Fijian score-board, with the Pacific Islanders out for a long-awaited win over a Tier One nation when Scotland come to town. Big hits will be the order of the day whenever a side touches down in Suva, especially against a Fijian side with a chip on their shoulder after a narrow defeat.
Wales tour of Japan
1st Test: Japan 24 – 19 Wales
2nd Test: Japan vs Wales – Noevir Stadium, Kobe (06:50am KO GMT)
Wales’ summer tour of the Far East got off to a stinging start in Toyota, as Eddie Jones’ Japan snatched a 24-19 victory in the first of two Test matches. The former England and Australia boss looked visibly elated at full time, as his Brave Blossoms rallied from ten points down to deepen Wales’ woes on the international stage.
The visitors had enjoyed a hot start with centre Ben Thomas diving over in the third minute, and a 17-7 advantage at one point suggesting a rare away-day triumph might be on the cards. But old habits die hard for Matt Sherratt’s side, who let the lead slip and now find themselves on a harrowing run of 18 consecutive defeats, Wales’ worst-ever in Test rugby history.
With captain Jac Morgan and first-choice scrum-half Tomos Williams both unavailable due to Lions duties, (Williams now sidelined with injury) the lack of leadership and direction was palpable in Kobe. Wales have since dropped to 14th in the World Rugby rankings, falling below Samoa, while Japan leapfrogged them after their landmark win.
The home bench made all the difference, with impact players Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea crossing the whitewash in the second half, while fly half Seungsin Lee dazzled with a try and three pinpoint conversions. The Brave Blossoms now look to close out the series in style at Noevir Stadium this weekend, while Wales scramble for answers in unfamiliar territory.
France tour of New Zealand
1st Test: New Zealand 31 – 27 France
2nd Test: New Zealand vs France – Sky Stadium, Wellington – (08:05 KO GMT)
3rd Test: New Zealand vs France – FMG Stadium, Hamilton – (08:05 KO GMT)
France’s youthful squad pushed the All Blacks to the brink in Dunedin his past weekend, but ultimately fell short in a 31-27 thriller at the Forsyth Barr Stadium. With 20 uncapped players named in Fabien Galthié’s touring party, there were raised eyebrows across the rugby world, none more so than in the New Zealand press, who lamented the absence of France’s top stars and feared a one-sided series. But what unfolded was far from a mismatch.
Galthié had bolstered his squad with five late arrivals from the Top 14 Final, yet even then, the contingent arrived in Aotearoa with just nine Test caps between them. Missing the likes of Matthieu Jalibert, Louis Bielle-Biarrey and Charles Ollivon, the French lineup featured five debutants in the starting XV and three more waiting in the wings. Only stalwart Gaël Fickou, captaining from midfield, and makeshift No.8 Mickaël Guillard offered a hint of continuity.
Despite the inexperience, France battled with spirit and intelligence. After falling 10-0 behind, they clawed their way back to a 14-10 lead in the first half. The All Blacks, however, found their rhythm through a brace from fullback Will Jordan, along with scores from back-rower Tupou Vaa’i and centre Jordie Barrett, fresh from returning from his Leinster sabbatical. Beauden Barrett added four conversions and a penalty to keep the scoreboard just out of French reach.
France stayed within touching distance thanks to tries from Guillard, winger Gabin Villière, and impact forward Cameron Woki. Kicking duties were shared between Nolann Le Garrec and Joris Segonds, who kept the pressure on the All Blacks with composed strikes from the tee. With the second Test looming at Wellington’s Sky Stadium, the series is far from over. If the opening match is anything to go by, this young French side may still have a statement to make.
Italy tour of Namibia and South Africa
1st Test: Namibia 6 – 73 Italy
2nd Test: South Africa 42 – 24 Italy
3rd Test: South Africa vs Italy – Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, Gqeberha (17:10 KO GMT)
Italy’s step up in class was brutally underlined in Pretoria, as South Africa flexed their world champion muscles in a commanding 42-24 victory. Fresh from dismantling Namibia 73-6, the Azzurri arrived with confidence, but quickly learned the difference between a Tier Two side and the reigning kings of the global game.
The Springboks, having tuned up with a 54-7 rout of the Barbarians, in a match that closed the on field chapters for Irish stalwarts Peter O’Mahony and Cian Healy, picked up right where they left off. South Africa stormed to a 28-3 lead inside the opening half hour, their power game proving too much for an Italian side still finding its rhythm.
Jesse Kriel opened the scoring before Morne van den Berg helped himself to a brace, while speedster Kurt-Lee Arendse and bruising forwards Vincent Koch and Marco van Staden also dotted down. Handré Pollard kept the scoreboard ticking over with a clinical display from the tee, nailing all seven of his conversion attempts.
Italy showed resolve in the second half, fighting back through tries from back row Manuel Zuliani, lock Niccolò Cannone, and hooker Pablo Dimcheff. Fly half Giacomo Da Re added three conversions and a penalty to give the visitors a respectable tally, but the damage had already been done.
The two sides now head to Gqeberha for the final Test at Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium, where South Africa will aim to close out the series in style. Italy will hope to mount a more disciplined challenge against the sport’s most ruthless finishers.
Ireland tour of Georgia and Portugal
1st Test: Georgia 5 – 34 Ireland
2nd Test: Portugal vs Ireland – Estadio Nacional, Lisbon (19:00 KO GMT)
Ireland’s emerging generation made a confident statement in Tbilisi, dispatching Georgia 34-5 in the first leg of their summer tour. With 14 of Andy Farrell’s front-line internationals currently tied up with the British & Irish Lions, this was a chance for fresh faces to impress, and they didn’t disappoint.
The hosts, who have long been pushing for a seat at the Six Nations table, were out to prove their worth against Tier One opposition. But it was Ireland who burst out of the blocks, as wing Tommy O’Brien went over in the opening minute and again just six minutes later to stun the home crowd.
Scrum-half Craig Casey added another as he crossed the whitewash, while back-row Nick Timoney muscled over for a fourth, capping off a dominant first Summer outing for the men in green. With slick distribution and clinical finishing, Ireland controlled proceedings and never let Georgia settle into rhythm.
The Lelos had little to cheer aside from a second-half try from number eight Tornike Jalagonia, whose powerful finish was their only entry on the scoreboard. But the gap in precision and pace was clear as Ireland eased to victory in their first Test of the tour.
Next up, a trip to Lisbon, where Ireland will face Portugal at Estádio Nacional. With a confident win under their belts, the focus now turns to building momentum and blooding more talent ahead of a big Autumn on the horizon. Portugal recently had a training match against the British & Irish Lions, which could well have prepared them for some of the Irish playbook, given the heavy Emerald contingency onboard Andy Farrell’s training staff.
England tour of Argentina and the USA
1st Test: Argentina 12 – 35 England
2nd Test: Argentina vs England – Estadio San Juan del Bicentenario, San Juan (16:40 KO GMT)
3rd Test: United States vs England – Audi Field, Washington DC, (17:00 KO GMT)
England spoiled Argentina’s post-Lions party in style this past weekend, securing a 35-12 victory in Salta to open their summer tour with authority. The Pumas had rolled into the contest on a high after stunning the British & Irish Lions 28-24 in Dublin, derailing the touring side’s send-off and fuelling renewed calls for Argentina to host a Lions series in the future. But Steve Borthwick’s men had little interest in fairytales.
George Ford, winning his 100th cap in England colours, set the tone with a 19th-minute drop goal, that was eerily reminiscent of his performance when the two sides met in the pool stages of the 2023 Rugby World Cup. From there, England’s attack clicked into gear, particularly after the break, where four second-half tries silenced the home crowd and stretched the visitors clear.
Tom Roebuck was the standout finisher, grabbing a quickfire brace either side of a well-timed support run from fullback Freddie Steward. Three tries in eight minutes after the break laid the ground-work for England’s win, before replacement wing Cadan Murley added a late flourish with a try in the 74th minute, to cap a clinical period of dominance. Argentina’s lone score came on the hour through Santiago Carreras, but the Pumas were otherwise kept at bay by England’s organised defence and sharp tactical kicking.
The two sides reconvene in San Juan this weekend, with pride and bragging rights firmly on the line in the second and final Test. After that, England hop across the Atlantic to Washington D.C. for a one-off clash with the United States at Audi Field, in a chance to finish the tour on a high. Veteran centre Henry Slade has since exited the camp with a hand injury, bringing his tour to an early end, though no replacement has yet been named.
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