Nations Championship Round 4: Scotland host unbeaten All Blacks and England face Australia, Malaysia times
The Northern Series starts this weekend. Scotland chase a first-ever win over New Zealand at Murrayfield (10.10pm Sat MYT), and England face Australia on Sunday.
Rugby's new Nations Championship resumes this weekend with the first round of its Northern Hemisphere Series. Scotland host unbeaten New Zealand at a sold-out Murrayfield on Saturday, and England meet Australia at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, on Sunday. Six matches over three days will reshape both tables before Finals Weekend in London at the end of November. For fans in Malaysia, the round opens with Ireland v Argentina at 4.10am on Saturday and ends with England v Australia at 11.10pm on Sunday.
How the Nations Championship works
The competition is new in 2026. It brings together the Six Nations sides and the six southern teams: New Zealand, South Africa, Australia, Argentina, Japan and Fiji. Each northern team plays three southern opponents away in July and three at home in November. Teams are ranked against their own hemisphere: a win is worth four points, a draw two, and bonus points go for scoring four tries or losing by seven points or fewer.
After round six, each team plays the side that finished in the same position in the other table. All six play-off matches are at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, from 27 to 29 November, and the two table-toppers meet on Sunday 29 November to decide the overall champion.
Where the tables stand
After the July series, France lead the northern table with 12 points. Scotland are one point behind on 11, with England and Ireland on 10, Wales on 5 and Italy yet to score. In the south, South Africa and New Zealand have both won all three of their matches and have 15 points each, with the Springboks ahead on points difference. Australia (8), Argentina (7), Japan (4) and Fiji (0) follow.
New Zealand beat France 34-32, Italy 47-17 and Ireland 40-21 in July. Their 35-man touring squad, named on 26 October, includes the returning fly-half Richie Mo'unga and fit-again Jordie Barrett. Ardie Savea and Ruben Love miss out through injury.
Scotland chase a first win over the All Blacks
Gregor Townsend's Scotland won 47-38 in Argentina and beat Fiji 33-17 in July, and lost 42-28 to South Africa with a bonus point. Saturday's game at Scottish Gas Murrayfield has sold out, and Scottish Rugby will name the team on Thursday.
History is firmly against the hosts. In 33 Tests since 1905, Scotland have never beaten New Zealand. The All Blacks have won 31 and the other two (1964 and 1983) were drawn. The most recent meeting was New Zealand's 25-17 win at Murrayfield in November 2025.
England, third in the north on points difference, start their home series against Australia on Sunday. Australia pushed Ireland close in July, losing 33-31, and are third in the southern table.
Round 4 fixtures in Malaysia time
All kick-off times are converted from UK time (GMT) to Malaysia time (UTC+8):
- Friday 6 November: Ireland v Argentina, Aviva Stadium, Dublin. 8.10pm GMT, which is 4.10am Saturday MYT.
- Saturday 7 November: Italy v South Africa, Allianz Stadium, Turin. 11.40am GMT, which is 7.40pm MYT.
- Saturday 7 November: Scotland v New Zealand, Murrayfield, Edinburgh. 2.10pm GMT, which is 10.10pm MYT.
- Saturday 7 November: Wales v Japan, Principality Stadium, Cardiff. 4.40pm GMT, which is 12.40am Sunday MYT.
- Saturday 7 November: France v Fiji, OL Stadium, Lyon. 8.10pm GMT, which is 4.10am Sunday MYT.
- Sunday 8 November: England v Australia, Allianz Stadium, Twickenham. 3.10pm GMT, which is 11.10pm Sunday MYT.
Round five follows on 13 to 15 November and includes France v South Africa and Wales v New Zealand. Round six is on 21 November and includes England v New Zealand and Ireland v South Africa.
Key takeaways
- The Nations Championship Northern Series starts on Friday 6 November with Ireland v Argentina.
- France lead the northern table on 12 points. South Africa and New Zealand are level on 15 points in the south.
- Scotland have never beaten New Zealand in 33 Tests and host the All Blacks at 10.10pm Saturday, Malaysia time.
- England v Australia at Twickenham kicks off at 11.10pm Sunday, Malaysia time.
FAQ
What time is Scotland v New Zealand in Malaysia? The match kicks off at 2.10pm GMT on Saturday 7 November, which is 10.10pm the same evening in Malaysia.
When is the Nations Championship final? Finals Weekend runs from 27 to 29 November at Allianz Stadium, Twickenham, in London. The match between the two table-toppers, which decides the champion, is on Sunday 29 November.
How are points awarded in the Nations Championship? A win is worth four points and a draw two. A team earns a bonus point for scoring four tries and another for losing by seven points or fewer.
Sources: ESPN, Scottish Rugby, Yahoo Sports, Briefly News, Wikipedia