THE RUGBY SPECTATOR - a feast of International rugby in 2024
With the European club rugby scene drawing to a close, rugby spectators in the northern hemisphere might think there will a quiet. and thus boring “off season” looming. But, as the world community of rugby strives to make the game more accessible, more widespread and competitive, fans can look forward to a lot of great matches in the upcoming summer and autumn International Series.
Note that the southern and northern hemisphere teams have off-seasons during their opposite numbers’ regular season, so as a result, the northern countries travel (south) in their summer, and the southern countries go north in theirs.
All of the major international teams will be in action between June and November with the addition of some 2nd level countries who are very keen to enter the top ranks of world rugby. So for the fans who can actually attend or have access to streaming services, the following countries will be in action: South Africa; New Zealand; England; Argentina; Ireland; Fiji; Australia; Scotland; France; Japan; plus Georgia; the USA; Portugal; Chile and Uruguay. The Home teams have the following schedules:
South Africa - July 6 vs. IRE; July 13 vs. IRE; July 20 vs. Portugal; August 31 vs. NZAB; September 7 vs. NZAB
New Zealand - July 6 vs. ENG; July 13 vs. ENG; August 10 vs. ARG; August 17 vs. ARG; September 28 vs. AUS
England - (June 22 hosting WAL vs RSA in London); November 2 vs. NZAB; November 9 vs. AUS; November 16 vs. RSA; November 24 vs. JPN
Argentina - July 5 vs. FRA; July 12 vs. FRA; August 30 vs. AUS; September 6 vs. AUS; September 20 vs. RSA
Ireland - November 8 vs. NZAB; November 15 vs. ARG; November 23 vs. FIJI; November 30 vs. AUS
Australia - July 6 vs. WAL; July 13 vs. WAL; July 20 vs. Georgia; August 10 vs. RSA; August 17 vs. RSA; September 21 vs. NZAB
Scotland - November 2 vs. FIJI; November 10 vs. RSA; November 16 vs. Portugal
France - November 10 vs. JPN; November 16 vs. NZAB; November 23 vs. ARG
Japan - June 22 vs. ENG; July 13 vs. Georgia; July 21 vs. Italy; October 26 vs. NZAB
USA - July 5 vs. Romania; July 12 vs. SCO; (July 19 hosting NZAB vs. FIJI); August 31 vs. Canada.
Other Matches; Scotland play Canada in Ottawa, July 6; Chile in Santiago, July20; and Uruguay in Montevideo, July 27. The Barbarians will play FIJI in London on June 22, and WAL play the Queensland Reds in Brisbane on July 19.
Most of the matches involving southern hemisphere teams will be shown on FloRugby (florugby.com subscription required) and several other northern hemisphere games too. Hopefully the USA matches will get good coverage - details to follow.