Schmidt will lead Wallabies in the 2026 Rugby Nations Championship

The Wallabies will begin their participation in the inaugural Nations Championship by facing Ireland. The Irish team defeated them 46-19 in Dublin, marking Australia’s sixth loss in seven matches. The competition will launch in July 2026, which will give them time to prepare. Joe Schmidt will remain at the helm of the team, despite the fact that Les Kiss, coach of the Reds, is scheduled to take over at the end of that month. Schmidt will also coach the matches against France, whom the Wallabies face this weekend, and Italy, who defeated them earlier this month. Despite the coach’s unfavorable results, with only two wins in eight matches since the Wallabies surprised South Africa in August, Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh has ruled out any anticipated changes in leadership.

I have no indication to the contrary.
Phil Waugh

Waugh added that work is being done to provide the necessary support to Schmidt and ensure continuity and consistency in the team, with Schmidt in charge until the end of the Nations Championship in July. The current strategy is firm, with confidence in the integration of a new coach after the championship. In November 2026, Australia will undertake another international tour, visiting England, Scotland, and Wales, with the competitive advantage of being part of the Nations Championship. The Wallabies will face the six teams from the northern hemisphere, as will the other five nations from the southern hemisphere (New Zealand, South Africa, Argentina, Fiji and Japan). The northern and southern nations will be classified into separate tables, and each team will face its equivalent in the final weekend at Twickenham at the end of November. The results will count towards a North versus South score, as well as determining the world champion.

Monty Ioane powers through the Wallabies' defence to score a try for Italy. — Monty Ioane anota un try para Italia.

The new competition, which will be played every two years in years without a World Cup or a British and Irish Lions tour, will provide context to matches between teams from the northern and southern hemispheres in the existing July and November windows. It is expected to generate millions of dollars in ticket sales, sponsorships, and media rights, boosting the sport and helping to combat the threat of the rebel event R360.

The competition marks a tectonic shift in the sport and has the power to redefine the future of rugby.
Tom Harrison, CEO of Six Nations Rugby

In recognition of the logistical challenges, Fiji will play their home matches elsewhere. They will face England in South Africa and Wales and Scotland in the UK. To accommodate the event and the series of tests between the All Blacks and the Springboks next year, the Rugby Championship will not be played in 2026. In addition to the Nations Championship match schedule, World Rugby also announced the Nations Cup, a second-tier competition. The Nations Cup will feature 12 teams and will be played simultaneously. There are no immediate prospects of promotion and relegation between the levels.