The Summer Series is an annual international test window in the rugby union calendar, though like the Autumn Nations Series it does not feature a formal, organised tournament. Instead, it is comprised of standalone fixtures or mini-series, with no overall winners and losers come the end of the summer. International sides can play an array of fixtures, sometimes against opponents with whom they are less frequently acquainted, and head coaches often see the series as a chance to experiment with more untested team selections. In 2023, however, the Summer Series is likely to feature star-studded squads on both sides of the equator, as teams gear up for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, which is taking place in France across September and October.
Among the favourites in France later this year will be Ireland. As the current number one men's team in World Rugby’s international rankings and the winners of the Six Nations grand slam earlier this year, no team comes into the tournament with a better recent reputation. Andy Farrell’s side will play 2 home Summer Series fixtures, facing Italy on 5 August and England on 19 August.
Sitting in second place in the World Rugby rankings is France. The 2022 Six Nations champions have been Rugby World Cup finalists on 3 occasions but have lost each time. Les Bleus will be looking to make it fourth time lucky following a Summer Series away trip to Edinburgh to face Scotland on 5 August, and home matches against Scotland, Fiji, and Australia on 12, 19, and 27 August respectively.
New Zealand, South Africa, and Australia – who sit in third, fourth, and seventh in the World Rugby rankings respectively – will be getting their Summer Series underway after an abridged Rugby Championship. All 3 Southern Hemisphere sides will be hoping to have a strong Rugby World Cup, with the All Blacks and the Springboks in particular expected to reach the latter stages of the tournament. During the Summer Series New Zealand will play against Australia in Dunedin on 5 August, and against South Africa at Twickenham on 25 August. As well as facing the All Blacks, South Africa will also travel to Argentina on 5 August and Wales on 19 August during the international window. Australia, meanwhile, are only playing the aforementioned fixtures against France and New Zealand.
Scotland, England, and Wales will have busier Summer Series by comparison. Scotland, currently fifth in the World Rugby rankings, will host Italy and Georgia on 29 July and 26 August respectively, as well as playing their doubleheader against France. England, one place below the Scots in sixth, will travel to Wales on 5 August before then hosting their rivals on 12 August. Following the clash against Ireland on 19 August, England will then play Fiji at Twickenham on 26 August. Wales’ 2 fixtures against England and a third against the visiting Springboks will provide a substantial challenge to a rugby union which is currently under considerable strain. Can a chastening Summer Series provide the perfect test ahead of the Rugby World Cup?
For fans who want one final look at their team before the battle for the Webb Ellis Cup gets underway in the autumn, tickets are on sale for all Summer Series fixtures, with resale tickets also available for select fixtures.
For more information on the 2023 Summer Series, including ticket prices, click here.