Eddie Jones believes Japan’s inclusion in the Nations Championship will be “a springboard” to the 2027 Rugby World Cup, giving them regular top-level Tests.
Japan and Fiji were officially confirmed on Monday as the two invitational sides in the 12-team Nations Championship – a SANZAAR and Six Nations joint venture ratified by World Rugby last year. The competition will unite the Six Nations and Rugby Championship sides in a structured global calendar for the first time, delivering annual north-south Test cycles and a Finals Weekend to crown the overall winners.
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For Jones, the value is simple: Japan will finally face top-level opposition every season.
“It’s a great honour for Japan to compete in the Nations Cup. Consistent exposure to this level of competition is vital for us to grow into the team we aspire to be,” he said.
“The inaugural Nations [Championship] in 2026 will be a springboard for us ahead of the 2027 World Cup in Australia.”
The tournament launches in July next year. Each of the six Northern Hemisphere teams will tour the south for three fixtures before hosting the remaining three southern sides in November. Results from all six rounds will determine the northern and southern conference winners, who will then meet during a three-day Finals Weekend at London’s Allianz Stadium.
Japan open their campaign at home against Italy before hosting Ireland and France in July. They will then travel north a year later to face Wales, England and Scotland as part of the Northern Hemisphere Series.
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The opening round features blockbuster matchups across the board, including the All Blacks hosting France, the Wallabies meeting Ireland, Fiji at home to Wales, Scotland travelling to Argentina, and the world champion Springboks welcoming an England side riding a 10-match winning streak.
Photo: Dan Istitene/Getty Images
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