'England clean sweep' - Summer Tours: Recaps ahead of the 3rd Weekend of Test Matches

Wales headed east with pressure mounting and found themselves facing an unwanted milestone. France, fielding a raw and largely uncapped squad, took on the All Blacks in their own backyard, as Ireland’s young guns ventured to Tbilisi and Lisbon. England faced down a fired-up Argentina before jetting off to 'break America', as Italy began with a roar in Namibia, but ran headfirst into the might of the world champion Springboks.

Each tour has told a different story, with revival, reality checks, and rising stars marking their moments and stepping to the occasion. From the sun-drenched turf of Fiji, to the thunderous atmospheres of South Africa, this is how the summer has unfolded so far.

Scotland’s ambitious summer tour of New Zealand and the Pacific Islands has delivered drama, disruption and no shortage of talking points. Gregor Townsend’s men kicked off in style with a thrilling 29-26 win over the Māori All Blacks. George Horne starred in the No. 9 jersey after Ben White’s late Lions call-up, crossing for two tries in a landmark result. Wingers Arron Reed and Harry Paterson also impressed, while Adam Hastings provided a steady hand at fly-half.

Momentum stalled in Suva, where Scotland fell 29-14 to a fired-up Fiji side. Despite an early try from Kyle Rowe, Scotland were hampered by Ewan Ashman’s first-half yellow card and finished the game with 14 men after Darcy Graham saw yellow and then red. Fiji capitalized, with Jiuta Wainiqolo’s late try sealing a deserved win. Injuries to Tom Jordan and Jamie Ritchie further depleted the squad, compounding a bruising day in the Pacific.

Now, Scotland face Samoa at Eden Park this Friday in their final tour fixture. They’ll be without Ashman, Graham and Rory Sutherland, all called up to the British & Irish Lions, as well as the injured Jordan and Ritchie. However, Pete Horne will be buoyed by the return of Matt Fagerson, Ben Muncaster and Gregor Brown to the matchday mix.

Samoa, meanwhile, haven’t played since their narrow 18-13 win over the USA last September but will be eager to make a statement ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup. With their trademark physicality and weeks of preparation, they’ll be no easy task for a weary Scotland side navigating absentees and form concerns.

Victory at Eden Park would salvage the tour for Scotland—but with personnel stretched and Samoa lying in wait, it’s a steep challenge to close with a win.

Wales’ summer tour to Japan ended in rare celebration, as Matt Sherratt’s side bounced back from a bruising first-Test defeat to claim a morale-boosting 31-22 victory in the second. The two-match series provided a dramatic narrative arc from despair to redemption, for a Wales side desperate to reverse an 18-match losing streak that had threatened to re-write the wrong kind of history.

In the opening Test in Toyota, Eddie Jones’ Japan overturned a ten-point deficit to seal a 24-19 win, a result that sent shock waves through the Welsh camp. Despite early promise through Ben Thomas’ third-minute try and a 17-7 lead, Wales fell apart under pressure as Japan’s impact subs Ichigo Nakakusu and Halatoa Vailea capitalised. Seungsin Lee’s excellent kicking guided the Brave Blossoms to their first home win over Wales since 2013. The result saw Japan leapfrog Wales in the World Rugby rankings, pushing the visitors down to 14th.

With captain Jac Morgan and scrum-half Tomos Williams absent due to Lions duty, and Williams now injured as a result, Wales lacked leadership and composure. However, they showed newfound resilience in the second Test at Noevir Stadium. Wing Josh Adams struck early, and scrum-half Kieran Hardy added two sharp tries to set the tone.

Although Japan clawed back through scores from Warner Dearns and Dylan Riley, a late Dan Edwards try sealed the win and snapped Wales' record-equalling losing run. Edwards contributed 16 points in total, a standout display from the young fly-half. Had Wales lost, they’d have set a new low as the Tier One nation with the worst-ever losing streak, eclipsing France’s 18-match run in the 1910s.

For Japan, it’s back to the drawing board ahead of the Pacific Nations Cup, while Wales finally exhale, with the upcoming Autumn Nations Series now offering a platform to rebuild.

France’s youthful touring squad arrived in New Zealand with minimal experience and even fewer expectations, but Fabien Galthié’s makeshift side still managed to impress in patches across their two recent defeats. Now, heading into the final clash in Hamilton, Les Bleus will be desperate to avoid a 3-0 whitewash.

In the first Test, France pushed the All Blacks to the edge in a 31-27 thriller in Dunedin. Despite naming 20 uncapped players and missing household names like Matthieu Jalibert and Charles Ollivon, France showed remarkable composure. Captain Gaël Fickou led from midfield while the likes of Mickaël Guillard and winger Gabin Villière stood tall. Tries from Guillard, Villière, and Cameron Woki kept the contest alive, but a brace from Will Jordan and solid contributions from Beauden Barrett edged the All Blacks home.

However, the second Test in Wellington told a different story. New Zealand ended their “capital city curse” in emphatic fashion, hammering France 43-17 to seal the series. Tries from Cam Roigard, Ardie Savea, Codie Taylor, and Tupou Vaa’i blew France apart in the first half. Although Leo Barre and Joshua Brennan crossed for the visitors, late scores from Reiko Ioane and Will Jordan slammed the door shut.

With the series already lost, France now face a pride-restoring challenge in the third Test at FMG Stadium in Hamilton. Galthié’s side must rally to avoid a clean sweep and take something meaningful into the Autumn Nations Series. For the All Blacks, the match offers the perfect tune-up ahead of their Rugby Championship campaign. For France, it’s about learning fast, growing stronger, and proving this tour is more than just a developmental footnote.

Italy’s three-match summer tour across southern Africa began with promise but ended in familiar frustration, as the Azzurri were outclassed in back-to-back Tests by world champions South Africa. After routing Namibia 73-6 in Windhoek, Italy stepped up a level, only to be swiftly reminded of the gulf in class.

Their first clash in Pretoria ended in a 42-24 defeat, as South Africa’s power game blew Italy away in the first half. The Boks surged to a 28-3 lead with tries from Jesse Kriel, Kurt-Lee Arendse, and a brace for Morne van den Berg. Italy mounted a second-half fightback, with Manuel Zuliani, Niccolò Cannone, and Pablo Dimcheff scoring consolations, but it was never enough to claw back the damage.

In Gqeberha, the second Test was even more one-sided. The Springboks raced to a 24-0 lead by halftime with tries from Grant Williams, Edwill van der Merwe, and Canan Moodie. Even with Jasper Wiese sent off for a reckless headbutt and Wilco Louw in the bin, Italy failed to capitalise. The Boks shut them out completely, with Malcolm Marx, Makazole Mapimpi, and Jan-Hendrik Wessels adding to the 45-0 rout.

Italy head home with a solitary win over Namibia and much to ponder ahead of the Autumn Nations Series and 2026 Six Nations. South Africa, meanwhile, now shift focus to a standalone Test against Georgia at Mbombela Stadium. The Lelos arrive after a 34-5 loss to Ireland with a second-string squad, and could be in for a punishing outing if Rassie Erasmus fields a near full-strength XV.

With the Rugby Championship just around the corner, expect the Springboks to make a final emphatic statement before defending their title against the southern hemisphere’s elite once more.

Ireland’s summer tour to Georgia and Portugal offered more than just game time, it delivered a glimpse into a promising new era. With 15 senior internationals and Andy Farrell’s core coaching team away on British & Irish Lions duty, interim head coach Paul O’Connell led a youthful Irish squad to two emphatic wins, capped by a record-breaking performance in Lisbon.

The tour began with a commanding 34-5 victory over Georgia in Tbilisi. Wing Tommy O’Brien set the tone early with a first-minute try and another six minutes later. Craig Casey and Nick Timoney added scores, as Ireland dominated in tempo and territory. Georgia’s only reply came via a solo effort from number eight Tornike Jalagonia, a small reward in an otherwise one-sided contest.

Any question marks over depth were obliterated a week later in Portugal, as Ireland ran riot in a staggering 106-7 triumph; the biggest win in Irish men’s Test history. Debutants Hugh Gavin and Shayne Bolton both crossed twice before halftime, part of an eight-try first half that included scores from Stuart McCloskey, Tommy O’Brien, and Tom Clarkson.

The onslaught didn’t ease after the break. Casey, Gavin, and Cian Prendergast added further momentum, while Calvin Nash, Ciaran Frawley, Ben Murphy, and Alex Kendellen all got on the scoreboard. A late penalty try and 12 conversions from Jack Crowley sealed the century.

Despite facing under-strength opposition, Paul O’Connell praised the composure and hunger of his squad, stating: With a successful tour behind them and the Autumn Nations Series on the horizon, Ireland’s next generation have shown they’re more than just future prospects, they’re ready to compete now.

England’s summer tour has already delivered two gritty wins over Los Pumas, with now only the United States standing between Steve Borthwick’s men and a clean sweep. After a composed 35-12 win in La Plata and a last-gasp 22-17 triumph in San Juan, England will close out their summer series in Washington D.C., where they face the Eagles at Audi Field.

The tour began in authoritative fashion as England spoiled Argentina’s Lions hangover, shutting down a Pumas side still buzzing from their historic 28-24 win over the tourists in Dublin. George Ford celebrated his 100th cap with vintage poise, orchestrating proceedings with a 19th-minute drop goal and steady hand. A flurry of second-half tries, including a brace from Tom Roebuck, one from Freddie Steward, and a late effort by Cadan Murley, saw England surge clear.

The second Test in San Juan proved a sterner challenge. With Henry Slade ruled out with a hand injury and Jamie George called away for Lions duty to cover his injured fellow countryman Luke Cowan-Dickie, a reshuffled England side dug deep. Seb Atkinson struck early to ease the nerves, while Steward again impressed with a first-half try. But the Pumas responded through Lucio Cinti and Ignacio Mendy, setting up a tense finish. George Ford and Santiago Carreras exchanged penalties before Jack van Poortvliet darted over in the 78th minute to snatch the win.

Injury setbacks to Theo Dan saw Curtis Langdon called in from the bench, with Jamie Blamire and Gabriel Oghre also drafted for the final leg. The USA will look to make a statement, but England’s sights are firmly set on closing their tour unbeaten. With squad depth tested and fresh faces stepping up, England’s summer campaign could yet provide the springboard needed for a big Autumn resurgence.