Nations Championship: Tough South Africa, Steve Borthwick’s England under pressure ahead of Argentina Test | A History of Eden Park in Decaying Ireland | Rugby Union News

We look at some of the key talking points ahead of the opening Nations Championship Test of the summer…

The pressure to perform on Borthwick’s England

England have now had four Six Nations campaigns under Steve Borthwick, failing to win the silverware in all of them – either the Championship title or the Triple Crown.

However, in 2026, England experienced the worst Six Nations in their history.

From five matches, they lost four for the first time, suffered their first Test defeat against Italy, as well as a record 42–21 home loss to Ireland at Twickenham.

They lost to Scotland for the fifth time in six years and really kicked off a Championship campaign that started with a comfortable win at home against a poor Wales side.

After a last-minute defeat by France in Paris on the final day, England were fifth in the standings for the first time in their lowest finish.

Their woefully underwhelming displays were all the more surprising given England’s decent form in the Six Nations which saw them beat New Zealand and Australia in November and Argentina in two Tests last summer.

But a lack of consistency, porous defenses and innovative or error-prone attacks have generally characterized Borthwick’s time in charge, as the players at his disposal are clearly talented.

The RFU came out and backed Borthwick to the 2027 Rugby World Cup in Australia Described as “a challenging” Six Nations review, But the head coach will know his performances and results badly need to improve.

Wins at home to Argentina and Fiji this summer are a must, while a daunting trip to face the Springboks first on Saturday should see England at least compete.

Anything less than two wins from three and talk of Borthwick’s departure will almost certainly return.

Ireland have been very depleted but shot through the history of Eden Park

The All Blacks have not lost at Eden Park for 32 years since July 1994 against France. This is a remarkable record, spanning 51 unbeaten Tests (49 losses, two draws).

Of course, unlike Ireland at the Aviva Stadium or England at Twickenham, New Zealand travel across the country to play their Test matches, so the record is unique in that sense.

New Zealand have lost 15 home Tests in the more than three decades since that last defeat in Auckland, but not one at Eden Park.

There were eight losses in Wellington, four in Dunedin, two in Christchurch and one in Hamilton. The Kiwis have won against South Africa (five times), Australia (three times), Ireland (twice), Argentina (twice), England (once), France (once), British & Irish Lions (once).

The Lions also drew a Test at Eden Park in the 2017 series decider, the closest any team has come to ending their run.

This summer, Ireland are the next team to have a shot at glory at Eden Park – winning a historic and thrilling Test series 2-1 after losing the opener at the stadium in New Zealand in 2022 – but they are far from the state they wanted.

As many as 12 players have been ruled out of their nation’s championship summer campaign with an injury barrage bordering on crisis.

Among the absentees are No.8 and captain Kelan Dorris, fly-half Jack Crowley, loosehead prop Andrew Porter, wings Mack Hansen and Tommy O’Brien and back row Ryan Baird also form bona fide starters.

The IRFU confirmed that loosehead Paddy McCarthy, lock Edwin Edogbo, center Tom Farrell, wing Shane Bolton, prop Jack Boyle and wing Calvin Nash were among those not considered due to injury.

James Lowe is also not part of the traveling squad, as he is leaving Ireland to play club rugby in Japan and is thus ineligible for selection. Ireland will face Australia and Japan this summer.

Andy Farrell has achieved a lot with Ireland and made history along the way. If they can secure victory with this squad at Eden Park on Saturday 18 July, however, it could now equal any previous achievement.

Can Scotland improve on the dreaded Southern Hemisphere record? Will Wales continue to improve?

This summer, Scotland face Argentina and South Africa before hosting Fiji at Murrayfield.

As they prepare to travel to the southern hemisphere, they will be looking to improve on a dismal Test record on their tour.

They have never beaten South Africa away from home, have never beaten the All Blacks home or away and have lost nine of 12 Tests against the Wallabies in Australia.

Even their travel record against Argentina brings back painful memories: their 2022 three-Test series saw them throw away a 15-point lead in the decider in Santiago del Estero, eventually losing the series 2-1.

Gregor Townsend was under pressure during the Six Nations after a shock defeat to Italy in Rome, but stirring wins over England and France drew criticism, only for Ireland to blow them away 43-21 in the Triple Crown shoot-out last weekend.

If Scotland fail to win in Argentina, and back it up with an expected loss in South Africa, Townsend and company will likely be in the spotlight once more.

And what about Wales? Six countries showed significant improvement in performance compared to their previous year.

They also face Argentina and South Africa on their tour and before that their must-win home Test against Fiji on Saturday 4 July. Beyond that, competition and further improvement will be the goal.

2026 Nations Championship fixtures – all kick-off times BST

4 July

• New Zealand vs France (8.10 am)
• Japan vs Italy (9.40 am)
• Australia vs Ireland (11.10 am)
• Fiji vs Wales (2.10pm)
• South Africa vs England (4.40 pm)
• Argentina v Scotland (8.10pm)

11 July

• New Zealand vs Italy (6.10 am)
• Australia vs France (8.40 am)
• Japan vs Ireland (11.10 am)
• Fiji vs England (2.10pm)
• South Africa vs Scotland (4.40pm)
• Argentina vs Wales (8.10pm)

18 July

• New Zealand vs Ireland (8.10 am)
• Japan vs France (9.40 am)
• Australia vs Italy (11.10am)
• Fiji v Scotland (2.10pm)
• South Africa vs Wales (4.40pm)
• Argentina vs England (8.10pm)