Nations Championship 2026: England, Wales and Scotland November Fixtures, Squads and Key Players

The inaugural Nations Championship returns this November, with England, Wales and Scotland preparing to welcome some of the biggest names in international rugby for three consecutive weekends of action.

With the summer rounds completed and the Northern Hemisphere standings taking shape, the competition now moves into its decisive stages. New Zealand, Australia and Japan will provide the opposition for the three home nations, with nine international fixtures taking place across Twickenham, Cardiff and Edinburgh.

All three national squads have now been announced, with England Head Coach Steve Borthwick, Wales boss Steve Tandy and Scotland’s Gregor Townsend making some significant selections ahead of the November matches.

From England’s opportunity to repeat last year’s victory over the All Blacks to Scotland’s pursuit of a historic first win against New Zealand, there is plenty at stake before the Nations Championship Finals Weekend concludes the competition at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from 27th to 29th November.

England: Borthwick Names 36-Player Group Ahead of Autumn Tests

England enter November looking to build on a summer campaign that delivered two victories from their opening three Nations Championship matches.

Steve Borthwick’s side suffered a 45-21 defeat against South Africa in their opening fixture before responding with an emphatic 73-8 victory over Fiji and a 31-24 win against Argentina.

Those results leave England third in the Northern Hemisphere standings, two points behind leaders France, with their three remaining group matches taking place at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Borthwick announced a 36-player training squad on Sunday 25th October, featuring several established internationals alongside returning players and emerging talent.

Captain Maro Itoje returns after missing the summer campaign, while experienced forwards Jamie George, Ellis Genge, Ben Earl and Tom Curry are also included.

One of the standout selections is the return of Joe Marchant, who has received his first England call-up since the 2023 Rugby World Cup following his move from Stade Français to Sale Sharks.

Gloucester centre Will Joseph is another notable inclusion, having impressed during the opening rounds of the domestic season. Uncapped prospects Greg Fisilau, Kepueli Tuipulotu and Archie McParland have also been named in the group.

Borthwick does have some injury concerns to manage, with Chandler Cunningham-South and Benhard Janse van Rensburg absent from the training squad. Seb Atkinson, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Guy Pepper are undergoing rehabilitation.

England’s November Nations Championship Fixtures

England v Australia – Sunday 8th November, 15:10

England v Japan – Saturday 14th November, 16:40

England v New Zealand – Saturday 21st November, 14:10

Wales: Three Uncapped Players Included in Tandy’s 39-Man Squad

Wales return to the Principality Stadium hoping to produce a stronger set of results following a difficult opening three rounds.

Steve Tandy’s side began their Nations Championship campaign with a 39-24 victory over Fiji before suffering defeats against Argentina and South Africa.

A 35-21 loss to Argentina was followed by a heavy 43-0 defeat against the Springboks, leaving Wales fifth in the Northern Hemisphere standings.

Tandy named his 39-player squad on Tuesday 20th October, with three uncapped players included alongside several experienced internationals.

Dragons centre Aneurin Owen and scrum-half Che Hope have both earned their first senior call-ups, while Cardiff prop Rhys Barratt is the third uncapped player selected.

There are also returns for Dragons lock Seb Davies and Cardiff back-rower Taine Basham, with both players receiving their first call-ups under Tandy.

Wing Rio Dyer has been recalled, while hooker Dewi Lake will continue as captain.

There are some notable omissions, including Leicester Tigers flanker Tommy Reffell and experienced number eight Taulupe Faletau.

Wales’ November Nations Championship Fixtures

Wales v Japan – Saturday 7th November, 16:40

Wales v New Zealand – Saturday 14th November, 14:10

Wales v Australia – Saturday 21st November, 20:10

Scotland: Russell and Tuipulotu Lead Townsend’s Squad

Scotland enter November in a promising position, sitting second in the Northern Hemisphere standings after winning two of their three summer fixtures.

Gregor Townsend’s side began with a thrilling 47-38 victory against Argentina before losing 42-28 to South Africa and recording a 33-17 success against Fiji.

Those results leave Scotland on 11 points, just one behind France, with New Zealand, Australia and Japan all scheduled to visit Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

Townsend announced his 37-player squad on Monday 26th October, with captain Sione Tuipulotu once again leading a group that includes some of Scotland’s most experienced international players.

Fly-half Finn Russell is selected alongside fellow backs Blair Kinghorn, Huw Jones, Duhan van der Merwe and Darcy Graham.

Among the forwards, Scotland can call upon Zander Fagerson, Pierre Schoeman, Rory Darge, Matt Fagerson, Jamie Ritchie and Jack Dempsey.

Newcastle Red Bulls back-rower Ollie Leatherbarrow is the only uncapped player in the squad. The former Scotland Under-20 international qualifies through his Scottish grandmother and will be hoping to earn his first senior appearance.

Scotland’s November Nations Championship Fixtures

Scotland v New Zealand – Saturday 7th November, 14:10

Scotland v Australia – Sunday 15th November, 15:10

Scotland v Japan – Saturday 21st November, 14:10

Which Fixtures Could Decide the Nations Championship?

With three rounds still to play, the competition remains open, particularly in the Northern Hemisphere standings.

France lead Scotland by just one point, with England a further point behind. Ireland are also firmly in contention, sitting level with England on 10 points.

That leaves little margin for error as the teams pursue a place in the inaugural final.

For England, their meetings with Australia and New Zealand could prove decisive. Scotland face the All Blacks in their opening November fixture, while Wales will be looking to improve on their current fifth-place position.

The wider competition also features several major encounters involving other Northern Hemisphere nations, including France against South Africa and Ireland against the Springboks.

Each result will contribute towards determining the final placings and the schedule for Finals Weekend.

Nations Championship Finals Weekend at Twickenham

The inaugural Nations Championship concludes at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, between Friday 27th and Sunday 29th November 2026.

Six matches will take place across three days, with teams facing opponents who finish in the same position in the opposite hemisphere’s standings.

The weekend concludes on Sunday 29th November, when the top-ranked Northern Hemisphere side meets the leading Southern Hemisphere nation to determine the inaugural Nations Championship winner.

There will also be a separate contest to establish the overall winning hemisphere.

With England, Wales and Scotland preparing for nine home fixtures before the final weekend, November promises to be a significant month for international rugby and an important indicator of where each nation stands ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup.

Nations Championship 2026 FAQs

When does the Nations Championship return in November 2026?

The November stage begins on Friday 6th November 2026, with Ireland facing Argentina. England, Wales and Scotland begin their November fixtures across Saturday 7th and Sunday 8th November.

Who are England playing in November 2026?

England face Australia on Sunday 8th November, Japan on Saturday 14th November and New Zealand on Saturday 21st November. All three games take place at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham.

Who are Wales playing in November 2026?

Wales host Japan on Saturday 7th November, New Zealand on Saturday 14th November and Australia on Saturday 21st November. All three fixtures take place at the Principality Stadium in Cardiff.

Who are Scotland playing in November 2026?

Scotland face New Zealand on Saturday 7th November, Australia on Sunday 15th November and Japan on Saturday 21st November. All three matches take place at Scottish Gas Murrayfield.

When is the 2026 Nations Championship Final?

The first Nations Championship Final takes place on Sunday 29th November 2026 at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, between the highest-ranked Northern Hemisphere and Southern Hemisphere teams.