Summer Tests: Weekend of Action includes England v Argentina & All Blacks v France

For England, Scotland and Wales, this mid-year window offers a vital chance to blood new talent and refine combinations, especially with many first-choice players away with the Lions. Emerging nations such as Italy, Georgia and Japan continue to push boundaries, aiming to close the gap on established powers and make a statement on the world stage.

Meanwhile, rugby heavyweights New Zealand, South Africa, Ireland and France face their own challenges, whether it’s squad rotation or integrating fresh players, as they prepare for a tune-up ahead of the next Autumn Nations Series. We are set for some cracking fixtures across the upcoming weekend, with comprehensive coverage across Sky Sports, BBC, and online streaming services. Fans are in for a weekend packed with high-quality rugby action and intriguing battles at all levels.

Here's a full run-down of this weekend's international Test matches, with all the kick-off times in UK & Ireland time so be sure to set those early morning alarms!

FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton
Kick-off: Saturday, July 5, 04:35 BST (Sky Sports)

Scotland kick off their Pacific tour with a tough assignment against a red-hot Maori All Blacks side who thrashed a Japan XV 53-20 in Tokyo last weekend. This marks the start of a challenging series for Gregor Townsend’s men as they prepare for further Tests against Fiji and Samoa.

Scotland will now be without scrum-half Ben White, who was recently called up to the Lions following Tomos Williams’ calf injury. New Zealand-born halfbacks Tom Jordan and Fergus Burke will both take centre stage as they return to their homeland, as they jostle to lead the Scotland attacking line in Finn Russell’s absence.

The Maori All Blacks bring a blend of flair and physicality that will test Scotland’s defensive resolve and creativity in attack. This fixture will provide a clear measure of where Scotland stand in adapting to new personnel and managing the demands of back-to-back Tests away from home.

Prince Chichibu Memorial Rugby Ground, Tokyo
Kick-off: Saturday, July 5, 06:00 BST (BBC)

Wales enter this clash desperate to end their longest-ever losing streak, as they have not tasted victory since beating Georgia at the 2023 Rugby World Cup. This run of 17 consecutive Test match defeats saw the sacking of head coach Warren Gatland mid-way through the 2025 Six Nations, with interim head coach Matt Sherratt retaining his position out in Japan.

Wales currently sit 12th in the World Rugby Rankings, their lowest position ever. They face a Japan side ranked just one rung below them in 13th, with the Brave Blossoms hungry to capitalize on Wales’ struggles and build on recent progress under Eddie Jones.

Japan’s recent 53-20 loss to the Maori All Blacks highlighted areas for improvement, but Jones will be eager for an upset against a tier one nation this Summer. This match represents a crucial opportunity for Wales to regain confidence and prove they can halt the slide, while Japan aim to continue their growth and stake a claim as a competitive force on the international stage.

Eden Park, Auckland
Kick-off: Saturday, July 5, 08:05 BST (Sky Sports)

The All Blacks host France in a fixture charged with controversy as Fabien Galthie has brought an incredibly inexperienced Les Bleus squad down to New Zealand. The reports of a 'second-string' outfit were proven right, as Galthie listed 17 uncapped players in his 34-man touring party.

Galthie expressed how the immense schedule of French rugby resulted in the rookie group, which will be captained by centre Gael Fickou. Nonetheless, the approach from France has frustrating fans and media alike across New Zealand's North and South Islands.

With many of their top players rested or unavailable, France face the daunting task of challenging a New Zealand team eager to assert dominance on home soil. The All Blacks will look to exploit the weakened French lineup and impose their trademark physicality and clinical execution.

For France, this match is a test of depth and character, and a chance for emerging players to make their mark. Expect the hosts to push hard for a commanding victory, while France will aim to avoid a one-sided affair and build momentum despite the personnel challenges.

Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria
Kick-off: Saturday, July 5, 16:10 BST (Sky Sports)

The Springboks come into this Test on the back of a stellar 2024 Autumn Nations Series campaign where they claimed five wins from six matches, including back-to-back victories over the All Blacks and Australia. Italy, fresh from a dominant 73-6 win over Namibia to open their Summer tour of Southern Africa, will look to cause the mother of all upsets against the world champions.

Though South Africa start as clear favourites, Italy’s recent form and impressive attacking style has denied the Springboks the luxury of complacency. The South Africans also recently dismantled the Barbarians 54-7, reinforcing their top-tier status in a match that marked the end of the road for Ireland legends Peter O'Mahony and Cian Healy.

This game offers Italy a chance to test themselves against the best, with Gonzalo Quesada's side pushing from strength to strength following their latest Six Nations campaign. South Africa on the other hand, have a golden platform to assert their renowned dominance, and remind the global rugby landscape as to why they are the back-to-back World Champions.

Mikheil Meskhi Stadium, Tbilisi
Kick-off: Saturday, July 5, 18:00 BST (Channel TBC, expected RugbyPass or Flo Rugby)

Georgia come into the Summer festivities having won the Rugby Europe Championship again, yet remain trapped under the glass ceiling of Six Nations snubbing. Los Lelos host an Ireland side, who have 14 of their top stars away on the Lions tour, in what could provide the perfect opportunity for a Georgian win.

This fixture presents a massive opportunity for the Georgians to deliver a statement victory and shake up perceptions having already qualified for the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Ireland are expected to blood new players, including several from Ulster, as the province failed to produce any stars to the Lions tour.

With the absence of retired international veterans Peter O’Mahony, Conor Murray and Cian Healy, now is the time for the stars of a new era to establish themseleves in a green jersey. Players such as Sam Prendergast, Ciaran Frawley and Tom O'Toole must step up as leaders, with future Test places up for grabs ahead of the Autumn Series. For Georgia, taking down the Irish would not only validate their steady progress but could be a defining moment in their push for greater recognition on the world stage.

Estadio Monumental, La Plata
Kick-off: Saturday, July 5, 20:40 BST (Sky Sports)

Argentina are riding a tidal wave of momentum, buoyed by a recent shock victory over the British & Irish Lions in Dublin where they spoiled the tourists’ send-off. Los Pumas have steadily become a powerhouse of the global game, with England the underdogs as they arrive in South America.

Argentina took the scalps of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa throughout their lastest Rugby Championship campaign, with no task seemingly too grand for Felipe Contepomi's men.

England start their Americas tour with two Tests against the Pumas, before a standalone match versus the USA. Following a narrow 26-24 loss to a France XV in an uncapped fixture and the suspension of winger Manny Feyi-Waboso, England face a stern test of character and depth.

Steve Borthwick is expected to hand an array of uncapped hopefuls their debuts upon this tour, with the likes of Sale's Joe Carpenter and Bath's Guy Pepper called into the fray. They jet out to Argentina alongside the Gloucester cohort of Seb Atkinson, Afolabi Fasogbon and Arthur Clark, who are flying the Cherry and White flag into a new era of England.

The Pumas offer a physical and passionate challenge on home soil, and England will be eager to bounce back from the gut-punching French defeat and regain momentum. This fixture sets the tone for a crucial summer campaign aimed, with rebuilding confidence and testing emerging talent the order of the day for Borthwick and his England coaching staff.

Suncorp Stadium, Brisbane
Kick-off: Sunday, July 6, 04:30 BST (Sky Sports)

After watching the British & Irish Lions commence their tour upon Australian soil, the Wallabies get a tune-up of their own as the First Test draws ever closer. The day after the Lions take on the New South Wales Waratahs in Brisbane, the Wallabies host Fiji in what has all the makings of a cracker.

This match will do more than just warm up Joe Schmidt's Wallabies, it will be serious Test of physicality against the exhilarating Pacific Islanders. The Wallabies will use this fixture to sharpen combinations and assess form ahead of the Test series, whilst Fiji are out to build momentum ahead of a Pacific Nations Cup title defense in September.

As per the contractual terms of the British & Irish Lions tour, Schmidt has had to return an array of his top Queensland Reds and Waratahs players to their clubs ahead of this week's fixtures. It will be a tough logistical turnaround for Schmidt, as the Reds host the Lions in Queensland tomorrow, before the battle against the Waratahs on Saturday. Plenty of questions to answer regarding his side's preparedness, as the unrelenting pace of the Summer rolls on.