The Nations Championship, a newly established rugby international tournament held every two years and considered the world's premier rugby competition, kicks off on July 4th, with all 42 matches being streamed live on WOWOW. Ahead of the opening, former Japan national rugby team player Shotaro Onishi, who will be providing pitchside reports for the Japan vs. Italy match and commentary for the Japan vs. France match, spoke about the overall picture of the tournament, the matches to watch, and the players to keep an eye on.
The Nations Championship is a cross-country tournament featuring two groups of six countries: one representing the Northern Hemisphere (England, Scotland, Ireland, Wales, France, and Italy), and the other representing the Southern Hemisphere (New Zealand, Australia, Argentina, and South Africa), plus Japan and Fiji. This year's inaugural tournament will be held in July (18 matches) and November (24 matches), with each country playing a total of seven matches: against the six countries in the opposite group, plus the Finals Weekend to determine the final standings.
--The Nations Championship is just around the corner.
July and November have traditionally been known as "window months" for test matches, but now a new tournament pitting the Northern Hemisphere against the Southern Hemisphere will be held every two years during this period. I think this tournament will be very interesting and meaningful, especially as it will clarify the balance of power between the countries ahead of the Rugby World Cup to be held in Australia next year.
--Could you please explain the tournament format?
The 12 participating teams will be divided into two groups of six teams each, representing the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, and will compete in a "North vs. South" format over six rounds (three weeks each in July and November), with teams vying for rankings based on points. The "Finals Weekend" will take place over three days, November 27th, 28th, and 29th, where teams with the same ranking from the North and South will compete to determine the final rankings and the overall champion. All teams will gather at Twickenham (Allianz Stadium in London) for a serious competition, so it is expected to be a very exciting event.
--The Japanese national team will play three matches in July, two of which will be held in Japan. The first match, Japan vs. Italy, is certainly one to watch, but the opening match of the tournament, which takes place before that, is also a fantastic matchup.
It's New Zealand vs France. I'm looking forward to it. There weren't any big surprises with the New Zealand squad that new head coach Dave Rennie has selected for the first time; I think he simply chose players who can consistently deliver high-level performances. It also makes sense that Ardie Savea, one of the world's best back row players, who was also with him (as head coach and player) when they won the League One 2025-26 season at Kobelco Kobe Steelers, has been named the new captain.
One player I'm particularly keeping an eye on in the squad is fly-half Ruben La, who played a major role in the Hurricanes' second Super Rugby Pacific title in 10 seasons. He's a young player who was named Player of the Match in the final, and I think it's important for New Zealand to have young players like him emerging alongside experienced veterans like Beauden Barrett and Damian McKenzie.
--What about France, on the other hand?
Due to the timing of the TOP 14 (the country's domestic league), France had a policy of not calling up players from the top teams in the July test matches each year. However, key players such as captain and scrum-half Antoine Dupont and fly-half Romain Ntamack were called up. Dupont ultimately withdrew due to injury, but the other players will join the team in Australia and be eligible to play from Round 2. It looks like France will face New Zealand with a strong lineup that includes many young players. The presence of fly-half Mathieu Jarrivel is particularly significant. It will be interesting to see whether he or Ntamack will be used as the number 10. I'm also looking forward to seeing the play of winger Damien Penaud, who has returned to the national team.
--The head-to-head record is 51 wins, 15 losses, and 1 draw for New Zealand, but they have always put up a good fight, including the three-game series last year. What are your predictions for the outcome?
This match between the All Blacks, in their first game under head coach Dave Rennie, and the European champions Les Bleus, two-time Six Nations champions, is always a fateful showdown and promises to be very exciting. If the All Blacks can secure a decisive victory here, it will surely raise expectations among the New Zealand people. France's team is mainly composed of young players, but I'm eager to see how well they can compete against the All Blacks with their current squad.
--The very next match is Japan vs. Italy, which will be held at Chichibunomiya Rugby Stadium in Tokyo. In past matches, Japan has a record of 2 wins and 8 losses.
There's no doubt that Italy will be a formidable opponent for the Japanese national team. The key to success against Italy, currently the fastest-growing team in the Northern Hemisphere, will be how well Japan can compete physically and in terms of speed. Of course, defense is important, but if the game becomes a back-and-forth battle, it will also be interesting to see how many tries the Japanese backs can score.
--What are your impressions of the Italian squad?
It's mostly the same familiar lineup. They have a lot of good players, but center Tommaso Meloncello will be a threat to both Japan and the other teams. Wingers Lewis Lainer and Monti Ioane will also be players to watch out for. Japan's head coach Eddie Jones said that "Italy's off-the-ball movement is second only to South Africa's." The accuracy of high ball catches by Japan's wingers, such as Yoshihei Ishida, will be key against kicks (which Italy will likely use frequently).
-- Are there any other cards in Round 1 that you're keeping an eye on?
South Africa vs England is another highly anticipated match. South Africa, ranked number one in the world (as of June 29, 2026), is a team that boasts absolute strength, and I'm interested to see how they will demonstrate their strength in this tournament. I have a feeling that it will end with "South Africa is strong after all," but I'm also hoping that England, who have been in poor form since this year's Six Nations, will be able to make some adjustments.
--The two teams have faced each other twice in the Rugby World Cup final, and the head-to-head record is 29 wins, 16 losses, and 2 draws for South Africa. South Africa continues to dominate, while England is looking to make a comeback. Could you please tell us which players to watch out for on each team?
It's difficult to narrow it down to just one person, but I'd like to mention Cheslin Kolbe, the winger who played for Tokyo Suntory Sungoliath in Japan. His sharp running, kicking, and finishing ability are undeniable, but I think if he and other South African internationals who have played in League One perform well here, it will be enjoyable for everyone in Japan and will also serve as proof of the high level of competition in League One.
For England, the key will be who plays as fly-half (number 10), as it will completely change their rugby style. If it's George Ford, they'll be kick-heavy; if it's Marcus Smith, they'll be aggressive with runs; and if it's Finn Smith, their style will be somewhere in between. In the forwards, I'm looking forward to seeing young flanker/No. 8 Henry Pollock in action.
--Round 2 is also a week full of highlights, starting with Japan vs Ireland.
Ireland has also been steadily improving, but they tend to make very few changes to their roster. Fly-half Sam Prendergast has emerged, but he's still a bit inconsistent, so I think if they can call up their best players and a new hero emerges, it could bring about some kind of change in the team. Also, for the Japanese national team, there's the advantage of being able to play at the same venue (McDonald Jones Stadium) where they will face Samoa in their first match of next year's Rugby World Cup. It's an important match in terms of getting used to the turf and atmosphere in preparation for next year, but more than that, I feel it will be a match that will truly test the worth of Eddie Jones' Japan team as they aim for their second-ever victory (the past record is 1 win and 11 losses for Japan).
--What about the other cards?
The Australia vs. France match is all the more noteworthy considering France will be playing Japan the following week. The Wallabies squad hasn't changed much, but one key point will be how well center Jonhu-Aukso Suaali'i performs. As the host nation of next year's Rugby World Cup, the national prestige rests on the team, so it will be crucial to see how much public interest they can attract in this tournament the year before. I'm really looking forward to seeing the Wallabies show their determination.
--Round 3, which concludes the Southern Hemisphere series in July, will also feature a series of big games.
The New Zealand vs Ireland match at Eden Park, New Zealand's hallowed ground, promises to be a thrilling spectacle (New Zealand's past record is 33 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw). The Japan vs France match, which will take place at MUFG Stadium (National Stadium) in Japan after both teams have traveled from Australia, is also highly anticipated, especially since they will face each other again in next year's Rugby World Cup. While the Japanese national team has yet to beat France (13 losses and 1 draw), the match at the National Stadium will surely draw many fans, and we hope you'll watch it on WOWOW.
--Furthermore, there will be a Northern Hemisphere round in November, and the final week will feature the "Finals Weekend" to determine the rankings. Could you name any matches that you are currently keeping an eye on, Mr. Onishi?
While the outcome in July may change our perspective, Japan will face Wales again this year (last year they played three matches, with Japan winning 1 and losing 2, bringing their overall record to 2 wins and 14 losses), and will also play against traditional powerhouses England and Scotland in quick succession, so I think every match will be very exciting. Also, the Round 5 match between France and South Africa is a very anticipated match. It will be a clash between the Northern Hemisphere champions, who have won the Six Nations in a row, and the Southern Hemisphere champions and world champions. Looking at past results, South Africa has the advantage (France has 12 wins, 29 losses, and 6 draws), but I'm looking forward to seeing what the result will be this time, including the content of the match.
--In conclusion, what are your expectations for the tournament and what is your prediction for the winner?
The tournament will feature 10 strong teams from the Northern and Southern Hemispheres, with Japan and Fiji joining them. Maintaining the significance and value of this tournament will largely depend on how well these two countries perform. I hope the Japanese national team will continue to participate for a long time, and I hope they will enjoy the opportunity to compete against great opponents, feel the growth they will experience, and also focus on achieving results. I want them to play with the mindset of "We will definitely win!" from the very first match. In that sense, I have high expectations for the leadership of lock Warner Deians, who has grown even stronger after contributing to the Hurricanes' victory in Super Rugby Pacific.
I still think South Africa is the favorite to win this tournament, but New Zealand will probably be improving their form as well. Even so, I hope European champions France will show the fighting spirit of the Northern Hemisphere, and I also hope that Ireland, who can physically challenge South Africa, and England, who are looking to make a comeback, will be in contention for the title.
--Actually, the match against Italy on the 4th will be available on WOWOW On Demand via the "Dolby Atmos" channel, which offers a more immersive sound experience.
I didn't know Dolby Atmos was available for sports content as well as music. It sounds like it would provide a more realistic sound experience during physical contact scenes like scrums and breakdowns. I'd love to try it out!
◇Japan National Team Broadcast and Streaming Schedule (Titles of guest commentators omitted)
<Round 1> July 4, 5:10 PM "Japan vs Italy" (WOWOW Prime/WOWOW On Demand) = Guest commentator: Yutaka Nagare, commentator: Fumiaki Tanaka, pitchside report: Shotaro Onishi, play-by-play announcer: Hiroshi Sumita, host: Momoka Okamoto
<Round 2> July 11, 6:50 PM "Japan vs Ireland" (WOWOW Prime / WOWOW On Demand)
<Round 3> July 18, 5:10 PM "Japan vs France" (WOWOW Prime/WOWOW On Demand) = Guest commentator: Ayumu Goromaru, commentator: Shotaro Onishi, pitchside report: Takashi Kikutani, play-by-play: Kenjiro Toyohara
◇ Broadcast and streaming schedule for the "Nations Championship" in July
<Round 1> = July 4, 3:45 PM "New Zealand vs France" (WOWOW Live/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 4, 5:10 PM "Japan vs Italy" (WOWOW Prime/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 4, 6:55 PM "Australia vs Ireland" (WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 4, 9:55 PM "Fiji vs Wales" (WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 5, 12:25 AM "South Africa vs England" (WOWOW Prime/WOWOW On Demand)
<Round 2> July 11, 1:55 PM "New Zealand vs Italy" (WOWOW Live/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 11, 4:25 PM "Australia vs France" (WOWOW Live/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 11, 6:50 PM "Japan vs Ireland" (WOWOW Prime/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 12, 9:55 PM "Fiji vs England" (WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 12, 12:25 AM "South Africa vs Scotland" (WOWOW Prime/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 12, 3:55 AM "Argentina vs Wales" (WOWOW Prime/WOWOW On Demand)
<Round 3> July 18, 3:55 PM "New Zealand vs Ireland" (WOWOW Live/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 18, 5:10 PM "Japan vs France" (WOWOW Prime/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 18, 6:55 PM "Australia vs Italy" (WOWOW Live/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 19, 12:25 AM "South Africa vs Wales" (WOWOW Prime/WOWOW On Demand) ▽ July 19, 3:55 AM "Argentina vs England" (WOWOW Live/WOWOW On Demand)
