Matt Gault
BBC Sport NI senior journalist

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Australia endured a tumultuous 2025; a losing Lions series, a first win over South Africa at Ellis Park since 1963 and a dismal European tour.

The quest for consistency was not aided by the revolving door at fly-half. By the time the Wallabies rocked up to Dublin in November, James O'Connor had just cut short his Moroccan holiday to take the key playmaking role from Carter Gordon.

Tane Edmed also featured heavily for the Wallabies last year but he is not in the squad at the moment.

So Schmidt has turned back to Gordon, who will make his first international appearance on home soil since returning from a stint in rugby league.

The 25-year-old has a new half-back partner, too, in Ryan Lonergan. The scrum-half only has five caps in the Wallaby gold but is coming off an outstanding season in Super Rugby with the Brumbies.

And with Jock Campbell emerging from a near-four-year Test exile to start at full-back, this is an interesting Aussie backline.

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It's half-time in the second game of the Nations Championship and Japan are leading Italy by 17-10 in Tokyo.

Juan Ignacio Brex got an early try for the visitors, but Warner Dearns and Takuro Matsunaga have hit back for the hosts, with the latter also adding a penalty.

Paolo Garbisi's penalty with the last kick of the half has kept Italy in touch.

Chris Jones
BBC rugby union commentator

There's some breaking news from the England camp ahead of their game with world champions South Africa later...

Full-back George Furbank has been ruled out of England’s match with South Africa this afternoon with appendicitis.

Furbank had been preparing for his first England game in nearly two years before falling ill on Friday evening.

England have yet to confirm who will replace him, with Marcus Smith most likely come in to the starting XV.

It is another desperately unlucky setback for Furbank, who has suffered arm, calf, knee and concussion injuries since his last England appearance in November 2024.

“It feels like a significant blow to England’s attacking prospects, as well as the leadership a Prem-winning captain brings to the backfield,” said former England fly-half Paul Grayson, who is commentating on the game in Johannesburg for BBC 5 live.

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Ireland will be aiming for three out of three in the southern hemisphere.

Will they get the job done?

In case you missed it earlier, here's a reminder about how the Nations Championship works.

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One game, one win.

The Dave Rennie era for the All Blacks starts with a thriller.

Let us know what you thought of that end-to-end opening match by using the 'Get Involved' icon at the top of the page.

Also, give us your thoughts ahead of Ireland's match against Australia and the news that Robert Baloucoune is out of the game.

New Zealand captain Ardie Savea on ITV Sport:

"It was tough. The French were quality tonight, when we had the ball in our hands, we were dangerous.

"There is a lot to work on in defence, so hopefully we can enjoy tonight and then come together to get better next week.

"A test match is always going to bring it's challenges. France came to play and put us under pressure. I am proud of the boys for what they put in."

Breaking news from Sydney.

Robert Baloucoune has been ruled out of Ireland's Nations Championship opener with Australia.

Jimmy O'Brien comes in on the right wing.

That's a big blow for Andy Farrell's side.

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Will Jordan doing Will Jordan things.

He's now within two tries of Doug Howlett's New Zealand record of 49.

It seems like it is a case of when, rather than if this summer.

Player of the Match New Zealand's Cam Roigard on ITV Sport:

"Very pleased to get the win.

"It is a definition of a test match there; you have to play for the 80 minutes.

"France are very unpredictable and like to play what is in front of them and there was a lot of French flare, so credit to them.

"I am proud of the boys for hanging in there."

Thanks for joining us, guys! We're going to bring some reaction from Christchurch, and start building up to Ireland's opener with Australia in Sydney.

The big games keep on coming.

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It got lost in the mayhem, but Matthieu Jalibert's try secured the bonus point for France.

Will it matter come November? Who knows, but we enjoyed it none the less.

That was absolutely epic. What a first inaugural match of the Nations Championship.

If every single game of the Nations Championship is like that then it will be the best competition in the history of sport.

We can only hope.

Good luck, Australia and Ireland....

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Well, that was an absolute delight!

New Zealand just, and I mean just, hold on to win.