Japan Rugby returns home for Round 2 of the Nations Championship with momentum after opening the tournament with a convincing 27-10 victory over Italy. The Brave Blossoms now face a much tougher challenge against third-ranked Ireland, which escaped Australia with a hard-fought 33-31 victory in one of the best matches of the opening weekend.
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Ireland Rugby has won four of the past five meetings between the nations and enters the weekend riding a five-match winning streak. The Irish also have scored victories over Scotland, Wales, England and Italy during that run, reinforcing their place among the world's elite as they continue their summer campaign.
Japan has shown it can compete with top-tier nations in recent years, including a 19-12 victory over Ireland at the 2019 Rugby World Cup. Ranked No. 12 in the latest World Rugby standings, the Brave Blossoms will look to produce another memorable result against an Irish side ranked No. 3 and seeking to remain unbeaten in the Nations Championship.
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Nations Championship Fixtures & Schedule
- Saturday, July 11, 1:10 a.m. ET — New Zealand vs. Italy
- Saturday, July 11, 3:40 a.m. ET — Australia vs. France
- Saturday, July 11, 6:10 a.m. ET — Japan vs. Ireland
- Saturday, July 11, 9:10 a.m. ET — Fiji vs. England
- Saturday, July 11, 11:40 a.m. ET — South Africa vs. Scotland
- Saturday, July 11, 3:10 p.m. ET — Argentina vs. Wales
World Rugby Nations Cup Fixtures & Schedule
- Saturday, July 11, 1:00 p.m. ET — Uruguay vs. Romania
- Saturday, July 11, 3:00 p.m. ET — Samoa vs. Georgia
- Saturday, July 11, 5:45 p.m. ET — Tonga vs. Spain
- Saturday, July 11, 6:00 p.m. ET — Chile vs. Hong Kong China
- Saturday, July 11, 7:30 p.m. ET — USA vs. Zimbabwe
- Saturday, July 11, 9:00 p.m. ET — Canada vs. Portugal
Here's How Fans Can Watch The Nations Championship
Fans in the United States can stream every match of the Nations Championship for free on RugbyPass TV and the World Rugby YouTube page.
Here's How Fans Can Watch The World Rugby Nations Cup
Fans in the United States can stream the USA Rugby Eagles and the rest of the field on Paramount+.
Current World Rugby Men's Rankings
- South Africa — 93.94
- New Zealand — 91.04
- Ireland — 89.32
- France — 86.74
- Scotland — 84.11
- England — 83.91
- Argentina — 83.77
- Australia — 81.28
- Fiji — 79.53
- Italy — 77.31
- Wales — 76.67
- Japan — 76.42
- Georgia — 72.67
- USA — 69.40
- Portugal — 68.51
- Uruguay — 68.46
- Chile — 67.31
- Samoa — 66.90
- Tonga — 66.88
- Spain — 66.64
- Belgium — 61.03
- Romania — 60.08
- Canada — 59.63
- Hong Kong China — 59.14
- Zimbabwe — 58.59
Nations Championship Fixtures & Schedule
- Saturday, July 11, 1:10 a.m. ET — New Zealand vs. Italy
- Saturday, July 11, 3:40 a.m. ET — Australia vs. France
- Saturday, July 11, 6:10 a.m. ET — Japan vs. Ireland
- Saturday, July 11, 9:10 a.m. ET — Fiji vs. England
- Saturday, July 11, 11:40 a.m. ET — South Africa vs. Scotland
- Saturday, July 11, 3:10 p.m. ET — Argentina vs. Wales
World Rugby Nations Cup Fixtures & Schedule
- Saturday, July 11, 1:00 p.m. ET — Uruguay vs. Romania
- Saturday, July 11, 3:00 p.m. ET — Samoa vs. Georgia
- Saturday, July 11, 5:45 p.m. ET — Tonga vs. Spain
- Saturday, July 11, 6:00 p.m. ET — Chile vs. Hong Kong China
- Saturday, July 11, 7:30 p.m. ET — USA vs. Zimbabwe
- Saturday, July 11, 9:00 p.m. ET — Canada vs. Portugal
Here's How Fans Can Watch The Nations Championship
Fans in the United States can stream every match of the Nations Championship for free on RugbyPass TV and the World Rugby YouTube page.
Here's How Fans Can Watch The World Rugby Nations Cup
Fans in the United States can stream the USA Rugby Eagles and the rest of the field on Paramount+.
Current World Rugby Men's Rankings
- South Africa — 93.94
- New Zealand — 91.04
- Ireland — 89.32
- France — 86.74
- Scotland — 84.11
- England — 83.91
- Argentina — 83.77
- Australia — 81.28
- Fiji — 79.53
- Italy — 77.31
- Wales — 76.67
- Japan — 76.42
- Georgia — 72.67
- USA — 69.40
- Portugal — 68.51
- Uruguay — 68.46
- Chile — 67.31
- Samoa — 66.90
- Tonga — 66.88
- Spain — 66.64
- Belgium — 61.03
- Romania — 60.08
- Canada — 59.63
- Hong Kong China — 59.14
- Zimbabwe — 58.59
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