Who Can Reach the Nations Championship 2026 Grand Final?
The Nations Championship table 2026 has suddenly become required reading for England, Scotland and Wales supporters. France lead the northern standings after July, but November brings three home Tests apiece and a London finale that rewards every position, not just first place. Here is the route through the remaining fixtures.
Nations Championship Standings After July
France hold the advantage, Scotland are one point behind, and England sit third on points difference ahead of Ireland. Wales have catching up to do. These Nations Championship standings include try-scoring and losing bonus points, not merely wins.
| Northern team | Played | Points | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| France | 3 | 12 | +41 |
| Scotland | 3 | 11 | +11 |
| England | 3 | 10 | +48 |
| Ireland | 3 | 10 | -1 |
| Wales | 3 | 5 | -42 |
| Italy | 3 | 0 | -94 |
South Africa and New Zealand lead the southern table on 15 points each. Australia’s eight, Argentina’s seven, Japan’s four and Fiji’s zero matter because the eventual north-south pairings follow finishing positions.
England, Scotland and Wales: Remaining Fixtures
Six July and November matches determine each team’s conference position. All times below are UK GMT, and these Nations Championship fixtures are scheduled before the Finals Weekend draw is settled.
| Team | Remaining matches, UK kick-offs |
|---|---|
| England | Australia, 8 Nov 15:10; Japan, 14 Nov 16:40; New Zealand, 21 Nov 14:10 |
| Scotland | New Zealand, 7 Nov 14:10; Australia, 15 Nov 15:10; Japan, 21 Nov 14:10 |
| Wales | Japan, 7 Nov 16:40; New Zealand, 14 Nov 14:10; Australia, 21 Nov 20:10 |
The fixture order is particularly awkward for Scotland. Hosting New Zealand first means an immediate test of their ability to protect second place. Wales face the same visitors a week later, while England have the All Blacks in their final conference game. Those staggered dates will create temporary changes in the table; compare teams only after they have played the same number of Tests.
How Many Points Can Each Home Nation Reach?
A win earns four points, a draw two, with one bonus for four tries and another for a defeat by seven points or fewer. Three victories with three try bonuses offer a maximum additional 15 points.
| Nation | Current | Maximum final total |
|---|---|---|
| England | 10 | 25 |
| Scotland | 11 | 26 |
| Wales | 5 | 20 |
Calculator: current points + four per win + two per draw + applicable bonuses. These maximum totals assume three wins, not three guaranteed bonus points; a losing bonus cannot accompany a victory.
Nations Championship 2026 Betting Odds
Three crucial fixtures could reshape the northern standings this weekend. Here are three selections worth considering before Finals Weekend.
