Eddie Jones returns to Australia as Wallabies’ 2026 schedule announced

Eddie Jones will return to Australia’s shores in 2026 when Japan take on the Wallabies at Queensland Country Bank Stadium, with Rugby Australia announcing the national team’s upcoming 14-Test international schedule.

Ahead of Men’s Rugby World Cup 2027 in Australia, Wallabies fans will get to see their team play in six home Tests next year, which includes three blockbuster matches in the inaugural Nations Championship.

Australia start their Nations Championship campaign against Ireland at Sydney’s Allianz Stadium on July 4, before taking on Six Nations powerhouse France at Suncorp Stadium in Brisbane on July 11.

The Wallabies will have a chance to snap a streak of two consecutive defeats to Italy in round three of the Nations Championship, hosting the Azzurri at a yet-to-be-confirmed venue on July 18.

That will be Joe Schmidt’s final match in charge as head coach, before current Queensland Reds boss Les Kiss takes over.

Kiss will take charge for a two-Test, home-and-away series against Japan. That series starts off in Japan on August 8, followed by a clash in Townsville on August 15. This will be Jones’ first Test in Australia since coaching the national team in 2023.

The Wallabies will then fly to Argentina for the Pumas Trophy series, with matches on August 29 and September. They will then return home, facing two-time defending Rugby World Cup winners the Springboks on September 27 at a TBC venue.

It’s then time for the Bledisloe Cup Series, with New Zealand hosting the first Test on October 10, before a clash at Sydney’s Accor Stadium on October 17. That will be the Wallabies’ final Test on home soil for 2026.

They will venture north for a clash with England at Twickenham’s Allianz Stadium on November 8, Scotland at Murrayfield on November 15, Wales in Cardiff on November 21, which are all part of the Nations Championship.

It’ll then be time for the first-of-its-kind Nations Championships Finals Weekend at Allianz Stadium, starting November 27.

“The Wallabies occupy a special place in the hearts of Australian sports fans which was evident in the record attendances and huge broadcast audiences across the historic 2025 season,” Rugby Australia CEO Phil Waugh said in a statement.

“The 2026 program will be every bit as exciting with the Wallabies taking on the best of the Northern Hemisphere in the inaugural Nations Championship in addition to massive Flight Centre Series matches against our great SANZAAR rivals New Zealand, South Africa and Argentina as well as the strong Brave Blossoms from Japan.

“These matches will be critical as the Wallabies’ finalise their preparation for a truly remarkable 2027 campaign, which will include a full Flight Centre Rugby Championship and culminate in the first Rugby World Cup in Australia in 24 years.

“The Wallabies sincerely appreciated the overwhelming support of the Australian public in 2025 and the Sea of Gold that turned out across all our stadiums. The whole squad is committed to working hard again in 2026 and beyond to put in performances the country can be proud of.”

NSW Minster for Sport and Minster for Jobs and Tourism, Steve Kamper, added: “Next year is going to be a bumper Test season for the Wallabies as we count down to the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil, so we’re thrilled to be hosting two key matches in Sydney against two powerhouses of international rugby

“Sydney’s position as the nation’s home of rugby is undeniable – we’ve got the Wallabies’ very first match of the inaugural Nations Championship against Ireland, followed by a potential Bledisloe Cup-deciding match against the All Blacks.

“These matches will not only bring out Wallabies fans from across the country but will also draw overseas fans to the Harbour City, providing an enormous boost to the NSW visitor economy.”

Wallabies 2026 Test schedule

vs Ireland @ Allianz Stadium, Sydney – 4 July

vs France @ Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane – 11 July

vs Italy @ home venue TBC – 18 July

vs Japan @ away venue TBC – 8 August

vs Japan @ Queensland Country Bank Stadium, Townsville – 15 August

vs Argentina @ away venue TBC – 29 August

vs Argentina @ away venue TBC – 5 September

vs South Africa @ home venue TBC – 27 September

vs New Zealand @ away venue TBC – 10 October

vs New Zealand @ Accor Stadium, Sydney – 17 October

vs England @ Allianz Stadium, Twickenham – 8 November

vs Scotland @ Scottish Gas Murrayfield, Edinburgh – 15 November

vs Wales @ Principality Stadium, Cardiff – 21 November

Nations Championships Finals Weekend – weekend starting 27 November