'England & All Blacks Undefeated' - Summer Tours: Final Weekend Recap

Prior to this past weekend of Test match action, Wales and Ireland had already finalised their Summer expeditions, with smiles all round for the Celtic cousins as they returned back home. Matt Sherratt's Wales side ended their arduous wait for a win, as they triumphed in the second Test to draw a two-match series against Eddie Jones' Japan.

Meanwhile, interim Ireland head coach Paul O'Connell ushered in a new era of Emerald Islanders, with a resounding victory over Georgia, and a colossal 106-7 win over Portugal that set a new scoring record for the Irish men's team. This past weekend witnessed the culmination of a handful of international tours, and we've got all the latest updates here for you from across the rugby landscape.

Scotland’s 2025 summer tour to New Zealand and the Pacific Islands was always going to be a test of depth, durability, and ambition, and it delivered all three in spades. Across three intense fixtures against the Māori All Blacks, Fiji, and Samoa, Gregor Townsend’s evolving squad experienced the full spectrum of Test match rugby, from landmark wins to bruising setbacks and, finally, a commanding close.

The tour opened on a historic note in Wellington, where Scotland edged the Māori All Blacks 29-26 in a pulsating contest. With Ben White called up to the British & Irish Lions at the last minute, George Horne stepped into the No. 9 jersey and seized the moment—dotting down twice and directing traffic with poise. Arron Reed and Harry Paterson added pace and incision out wide, while Adam Hastings brought stability at fly-half in a match that turned heads across the rugby world.

Momentum faltered a week later in Suva, where a fired-up Fiji side outmuscled and outplayed Scotland 29-14. An early try from Kyle Rowe gave hope, but yellow cards for Ewan Ashman and then Darcy Graham, who saw red late on, udermined Scotland’s chances. Fiji, full of flair and physicality, capitalized on the chaos. Compounding matters were injuries to Tom Jordan and Jamie Ritchie, further disrupting Townsend’s reshuffled squad.

But Scotland rallied for their final Test in Auckland, delivering a powerful 41-12 win over Samoa at Eden Park. Despite further Lions absences and a reshuffled backline, the Scots produced their most complete performance of the tour. Eight tries were shared across the side, including scores from returning hooker Ewan Ashman, dynamic wing Arron Reed, and captain Kyle Steyn. Stafford McDowall and Rory Hutchinson shone in midfield, making up for the Lions-bound Jones and Tuipulotu.

Samoa, gearing up for the Pacific Nations Cup, offered flashes of resistance, scoring through Ben Nee Nee and Duncan Paia’aua, however Samoa were outpaced and outmuscled by their incoming tourists. Jacob Umaga, the former England playmaker, made his Samoa debut and slotted a penalty, offering a silver lining in an otherwise one-sided affair.

All told, the tour ends with Scotland two wins from three, several new names putting their hands up, and invaluable experience banked ahead of a crucial Autumn Nations Series. For Townsend, navigating constant Lions disruptions while still delivering quality performances may be the most encouraging sign of all. Plenty to work on, yet plenty of promise with so many key absentees from Townsend's squad.

2nd Test: New Zealand 43 - 17 France - Sky Stadium, Wellington, New Zealand

3rd Test: New Zealand 29 - 19 France - FMG Stadium Waikato, Hamilton, New Zealand

France’s three-Test summer tour of New Zealand was always going to be a high-stakes gamble. With a youthful squad and most senior stars left at home, Fabien Galthié rolled the dice on development. What followed was a trial by fire, and while the scoreboard shows a 3-0 series sweep for the All Blacks, there were moments that suggested France’s next generation is learning fast.

Things began with a genuine scare for the hosts in Dunedin. In the first Test, France defied expectations, pushing New Zealand to the brink in a 31-27 thriller. Tries from Mickaël Guillard, Gabin Villière, and Cameron Woki kept France in striking distance. Captain Gaël Fickou led with defiance, and Nolann Le Garrec’s tempo at scrum-half caught the eye. Despite a Will Jordan brace and Beauden Barrett's class sealing the win for the All Blacks, the message was clear: this French side, raw as it was, had teeth.

But in Wellington, the tone shifted dramatically. With the pressure off and execution sharp, New Zealand overwhelmed the visitors 43-17. The All Blacks laid down four first-half tries, Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Codie Taylor, and Tupou Vaa’i, and never looked back.

Though Leo Barre and Joshua Brennan managed to breach the black wall, France had no answer to the late surge, with Reiko Ioane and Will Jordan finishing the job. The result ended New Zealand’s so-called “capital curse” in Wellington's Sky Stadium, and sealed the series with a match to spare.

Still, France arrived in Waikato with pride on the line and a point to prove. The third Test offered their best half of rugby all tour. Le Garrec scored after just seven minutes, and Antoine Hastoy added a well-struck drop goal to give France a 19-10 lead at halftime.

But the All Blacks stormed back with second-half control. Jordie Barrett came off the bench to swing the game, producing a try-saving tackle and a pinpoint assist for Brodie McAlister's score. Tries from Anton Lienert-Brown, Du’Plessis Kirifi, and McAlister sealed the 29-19 win.

Though the whitewash will sting, France’s tour wasn’t without merit. Young players gained vital minutes against elite opposition, and several, Le Garrec, Woki, and Guillard among them, enhanced their Test credentials. For New Zealand, the series served as a sharpener ahead of the Rugby Championship, with key players like Ardie Savea, Damian McKenzie, and Will Jordan all hitting form in the black jersey, with Jordie Barrett settled back in after his sabbatical with Leinster.

The All Blacks now look ahead to a mouth-watering 2026 tour of South Africa, following their upcoming Autumn Nations and Rugby Championship pursuits to close out the year. For France, the growth must continue, and the long game remains the goal ahead of a Six Nations title retention.

1st Test: Namibia 6 - 73 Italy - Hage Geingob Stadium, Windhoek, Namibia

2nd Test: South Africa 42 - 24 Italy - Loftus Versfeld Stadium, Pretoria, South Africa

Italy’s summer campaign across southern Africa offered a mixture of optimism, reality checks, and lessons delivered with trademark South African brutality. What began with a dominant win over Namibia quickly descended into back-to-back beatings at the hands of the Springboks, as the Azzurri were reminded of the elite tier they still aspire to join.

The tour began brightly in Windhoek, where Gonzalo Quesada’s side dismantled Namibia 73-6 in a flowing performance. Wing Montanna Ioane and fullback Ange Capuozzo starred as Italy ran in 11 tries against the Welwitschias, showing the kind of clinical edge that has been so elusive in Tier 1 clashes. But while Italy were comfortable bullies against Namibia, they would soon face the hammer of world champions South Africa.

The first of two Tests against the Boks, played in Pretoria, was brutal from the outset. South Africa blasted out of the gates, racking up a 28-3 lead by halftime through tries from Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and a brace from Morne van den Berg. Italy fought back admirably after the break, Manuel Zuliani, Niccolo Cannone, and Pablo Dimcheff all crossing, but the damage was done early, and a 42-24 defeat highlighted both Italy’s resilience and their defensive frailties.

The second encounter, in Gqeberha, left no such room for positives. Despite Jasper Wiese receiving a red card and Wilco Louw joining him temporarily in the bin, Italy failed to land a blow. The Springboks, sharp and ruthless, recorded a 45-0 shutout, with Edwill van der Merwe, Grant Williams, and Canan Moodie scoring in the opening period. Malcolm Marx and Makazole Mapimpi piled on further misery in the second half, before Jan-Hendrik Wessels closed out the rout. For Italy, it was a stark reminder of the step-up required if they’re to compete at this level consistently.

As Italy flew home with just one win, South Africa had one final fixture to round out their home campaign, a standalone Test against Georgia in Mbombela. Though the Lelos stunned the crowd with an early score from hooker Vano Karkadze, it only served to poke the green and gold bear.

What followed was a nine-try demolition. Boan Venter opened the scoring for the Boks after just eight minutes, before Marnus van der Merwe powered over twice in quick succession. Moodie and Edwill van der Merwe added to the first-half tally, while the second 40 saw Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handré Pollard, and another from Van der Merwe complete the 55-10 rout. Only a poor day off the tee from Sacha Mngomezulu (1/9 conversions) kept the scoreline from reaching further heights.

For South Africa, these matches have been a valuable launchpad ahead of the Rugby Championship and a useful audition space for fringe players. For Italy and Georgia, the summer’s bruises will need to become building blocks ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.

1st Test: Argentina 12 - 35 England - Estadio Padre Ernesto Martearena, Salta, Argentina

2nd Test: Argentina 17 - 22 England - Estadio del Bicentenario, San Juan, Argentina

3rd Test: United States 5 - 40 England - Audi Field, Washington D.C., United States

England’s summer tour of the Americas delivered exactly what Steve Borthwick would have hoped for: a clean sweep, hardened depth, and a new wave of emerging talent. After two hard-fought wins over Argentina, England closed their campaign in Washington D.C. with a commanding victory over the United States, ending the tour unbeaten and building crucial momentum ahead of the Autumn Nations Series.

The tour opened in La Plata with a composed 35-12 win, as England nullified a fired-up Argentina side riding high after a famous victory over the British & Irish Lions. George Ford, celebrating his 100th cap, guided the side with experience and calm, contributing a first-half drop goal before unleashing a second-half attacking spree. Tries from Tom Roebuck (2), Freddie Steward, and Cadan Murley turned a tight affair into a comfortable statement win.

The second Test in San Juan was a different challenge. With Henry Slade out with a hand injury and Jamie George called away for Lions duty, England shuffled their pack. Despite a strong start with Seb Atkinson and Steward again among the scorers, Argentina clawed back through Lucio Cinti and Ignacio Mendy. The match hung in the balance until the 78th minute, when Leicester Tigers halfback Jack van Poortvliet sniped over to seal a gritty 22-17 win.

By the time England arrived at Audi Field in Washington D.C. for their final match, the emphasis had shifted: finish strong, and blood new players. A thunderstorm delayed kickoff, but when the action finally began, it was the visitors who stormed ahead. With six debutants named in the matchday 23, England delivered a clinical 45-10 victory.

Curtis Langdon opened the scoring early, before Luke Northmore marked just his second cap with a try of his own. Van Poortvliet added another just before halftime, and Murley continued his hot streak with a try just after the restart. Debutant Gabriel Oghre added a memorable final touch with a try on debut, while Charlie Atkinson, also earning his first cap, slotted the conversion.

George Ford added four conversions, while Atkinson’s effort capped off a strong showing from England’s next generation. The USA grabbed a late consolation through Shilo Klein, but the game had long slipped beyond reach. Across three matches, England showed composure, squad depth, and a willingness to back emerging talent. From the centurion leadership of Ford to the debut spark of Oghre and Atkinson, Borthwick will take plenty of positives into the autumn.

A tour that started with questions has ended with quiet confidence. The foundations are firming for England’s next chapter, and this summer, that chapter began to take shape.