Select Edition

Northern Northern
Southern Southern
Global Global
NZ NZ

England, Ireland and Wales confirm opponents for July internationals

By PA
Jonny May /PA

England will play Test matches against the USA and Canada at Twickenham in July. And summer games for Wales and Ireland have also been confirmed in a revised global schedule announced by World Rugby.

ADVERTISEMENT

Guinness Six Nations champions Wales had been due to tour Argentina, with England visiting the USA and Canada, but the coronavirus pandemic has driven a change of plan.

England will host the USA on July 4 and Canada six days later, with at least a 10,000-capacity expected for each match, while Cardiff’s Principality Stadium will stage Wales games against Canada and Argentina from July 3-17, and Ireland have Dublin appointments with Japan and the USA.

Video Spacer

The crazy reaction to the Lions Tour 2021 Squad announcement | Fan Zone Lions Edition | RugbyPass

Video Spacer

The crazy reaction to the Lions Tour 2021 Squad announcement | Fan Zone Lions Edition | RugbyPass

Scotland’s July fixtures against Romania and Georgia had already been announced.

The Rugby Football Union said that there will also be an England A game played against Scotland A at Mattioli Woods Welford Road in Leicester on June 27.

England head coach Eddie Jones, who will be without an 11-strong British and Irish Lions contingent, said: “The summer series will give us the chance to look at a lot of players and see how they step up, and it’s an important part of our World Cup preparation.

“For younger players, it’s a chance to show what they can do at international level and how they are in the team environment.

ADVERTISEMENT

“There aren’t too many opportunities to lead at international level, so for the more experienced players it’s a chance to take further leadership roles and grow their game in that area.

“We are really looking forward to having supporters back in the stadiums, it makes such a difference and we expect it’ll be three exciting matches for everyone watching.”

South Africa, who have not played since they beat England in the 2019 World Cup final 18 months ago, will warm up for the Lions Test series with two games against Georgia.

In a statement, World Rugby said: “A strong revised programme of men’s Test matches is set to take place in July after all unions and World Rugby agreed a revised schedule within the existing window.

ADVERTISEMENT

“The revisions have been made recognising an ongoing and complex global Covid-19 picture, while aiming to limit further impact.”

And World Rugby chairman Sir Bill Beaumont added: “This has taken a monumental effort from all concerned.

“While there is light at the end of the tunnel in respect to Covid-19 in many nations, the challenges continue to be present, dynamic and impactful.

“And therefore I would like to thank the unions, their respective governments, broadcast and commercial partners and players for their flexibility and full commitment to the process.

“Fans around the world can now look forward to an exciting bumper schedule of men’s Test matches involving at least 25 teams, which will be a welcome sight for everyone.

“The road to Rugby World Cup 2023 also continues with key qualifiers for Samoa and Tonga and, of course, we are anticipating a fascinating British and Irish Lions series.”

Other summer highlights including Australia hosting France in a three-Test series and New Zealand entertaining Fiji.

ADVERTISEMENT

Join free

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | Episode 6

Sam Warburton | The Big Jim Show | Full Episode

Japan Rugby League One | Sungoliath v Eagles | Full Match Replay

Japan Rugby League One | Spears v Wild Knights | Full Match Replay

Boks Office | Episode 10 | Six Nations Final Round Review

Aotearoa Rugby Podcast | How can New Zealand rugby beat this Ireland team

Beyond 80 | Episode 5

Rugby Europe Men's Championship Final | Georgia v Portugal | Full Match Replay

Trending on RugbyPass

Comments

Join free and tell us what you really think!

Sign up for free
ADVERTISEMENT

Latest Features

Comments on RugbyPass

T
Trevor 2 hours ago
Will forgotten Wallabies fit the Joe Schmidt model?

Thanks Brett.. At last a positive article on the potential of Wallaby candidates, great to read. Schmidt’s record as an international rugby coach speaks for itself, I’m somewhat confident he will turn the Wallaby’s fortunes around …. on the field. It will be up to others to steady the ship off the paddock. But is there a flaw in my optimism? We have known all along that Australia has the players to be very competitive with their international rivals. We know that because everyone keeps telling us. So why the poor results? A question that requires a definitive answer before the turn around can occur. Joe Schmidt signed on for 2 years, time to encompass the Lions tour of 2025. By all accounts he puts family first and that’s fair enough, but I would wager that his 2 year contract will be extended if the next 18 months or so shows the statement “Australia has the players” proves to be correct. The new coach does not have a lot of time to meld together an outfit that will be competitive in the Rugby Championship - it will be interesting to see what happens. It will be interesting to see what happens with Giteau law, the new Wallaby coach has already verbalised that he would to prefer to select from those who play their rugby in Australia. His first test in charge is in July just over 3 months away .. not a long time. I for one wish him well .. heaven knows Australia needs some positive vibes.

21 Go to comments
B
Bull Shark 6 hours ago
Jake White: Are modern rugby players actually better?

Of the rugby I’ve born witness to in my lifetime - 1990 to date - I recognize great players throughout those years. But I have no doubt the game and the players are on average better today. So I doubt going back further is going to prove me wrong. The technical components of the game, set pieces, scrums, kicks, kicks at goal. And in general tactics employed are far more efficient, accurate and polished. Professional athletes that have invested countless hours on being accurate. There is one nation though that may be fairly competitive in any era - and that for me is the all blacks. And New Zealand players in general. NZ produces startling athletes who have fantastic ball skills. And then the odd phenomenon like Brooke. Lomu. Mcaw. Carter. Better than comparing players and teams across eras - I’ve often had this thought - that it would be very interesting to have a version of the game that is closer to its original form. What would the game look like today if the rules were rolled back. Not rules that promote safety obviously - but rules like: - a try being worth 1 point and conversion 2 points. Hence the term “try”. Earning a try at goals. Would we see more attacking play? - no lifting in the lineouts. - rucks and break down laws in general. They looked like wrestling matches in bygone eras. I wonder what a game applying 1995 rules would look like with modern players. It may be a daft exercise, but it would make for an interesting spectacle celebrating “purer” forms of the game that roll back the rules dramatically by a few versions. Would we come to learn that some of the rules/combinations of the rules we see today have actually made the game less attractive? I’d love to see an exhibition match like that.

29 Go to comments
TRENDING
TRENDING 'It's an All Black discussion': The pair of young Hurricanes tipped for black jerseys The pair of young Hurricanes tipped for black jerseys
Search