Nations Championship head coach leaves role with immediate effect

England survived a late scare to complete a memorable victory over Argentina in Santiago del Estero, while New Zealand underlined their title credentials by seeing off Ireland once again at Eden Park.

South Africa continued their impressive form with another commanding display against Wales, and France rounded off their campaign in style.

Australia also ended the tournament on a high, thrashing Italy 57-10 in Perth to hand departing head coach Joe Schmidt the perfect send-off.

Schmidt has now officially left his role as Wallabies head coach following Australia's final Nations Championship fixture.

The 60-year-old had already confirmed he would step down after the July internationals, with Les Kiss set to take charge as Australia begin preparations for the 2027 Rugby World Cup on home soil.

Schmidt bows out after overseeing a crucial rebuilding period for Australian rugby following the disastrous 2023 World Cup campaign. Despite an inconsistent record, he helped restore belief within the squad while introducing several exciting young players to Test rugby.

His final match in charge proved to be one of Australia's most complete performances, as the Wallabies ran in eight tries to comfortably defeat Italy.

While Schmidt is stepping away from full-time coaching to spend more time with his family, his influence on Australian rugby is expected to continue behind the scenes.

Senirusi Seruvakula earns 12th place despite his growing reputation as one of the Pacific's brightest coaching minds. A key figure in the development of the Fijian Drua's pathway in their NRC days ahead of the Super Rugby jump, he helped nurture a generation of home-grown talent through an ambitious, attack-minded philosophy that showcased the country's natural flair.

Seruvakula's work has played a significant role in strengthening Fiji's player development system and preparing numerous internationals for the highest level. Seruvakula currently holds an interim role with Fiji, following the abrupt exit of Mick Byrne from the post and is also the head coach of the Fijiana Women's side, who struggled to progress from Pool B at the 2025 WRWC. While his coaching résumé cannot yet match those above him, Seruvakula's influence on Fijian rugby has been immense, and his career appears destined for even greater honours.

Steve Tandy has steadily built one of rugby's strongest coaching reputations through years of elite assistant roles, and is steadily turning around the sinking Wales ship back to the surface. He guided the Ospreys to the 2012 Pro12 title before becoming Scotland's highly influential defence coach, helping transform Gregor Townsend's side into genuine Six Nations contenders.

Tandy also played a key role on the British & Irish Lions coaching staff during the 2021 tour of South Africa, and he is now tasked with rebuilding Wales in replace of Matt Sherratt. He arrived ahead of the 2025 Autumn Nations Series as the first Welshman to manage the side since Gareth Jenkins in 2007.

Gregor Townsend has overseen Scotland's most competitive era of the professional age, restoring belief and consistency after years of underachievement from the men North of the border. Before taking charge of the national side, he guided Glasgow Warriors to their historic first Pro12 title in 2015, revolutionising the club's attacking style.

Scotland have since recorded landmark victories over France, Australia and Argentina under his leadership, and have kept a tight grip upon the Calcutta Cup, much to England's chagrin. Scotland are regular challengers in the upper half of the Six Nations table, and although major silverware has remained elusive at Test level, Townsend's influence on Scottish rugby has been remarkable.

Steve Borthwick's coaching credentials were established long before taking charge of England, following the departure of Eddie Jones at the tail end of 2024. He rebuilt hie beloved Leicester Tigers from Premiership strugglers into English champions in 2022, earning widespread praise for his structured, forward-oriented approach.

Before that, he served as Eddie Jones' forwards coach as England reached the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. Whilst Steve Borthwick's England tenure has produced mixed results and a vocal audience of polarising opinions, England's incredible 11-match unbeaten run throughout 2025 was the envy of the rugby world, as Borthwick's England even collected a rare win over the All Blacks to boot. Borthwick's Premiership success and valuable experience in the international arena ensure he remains one of rugby's most highly regarded coaches.

Gonzalo Quesada has enhanced an already distinguished coaching résumé since taking charge of Italy, having galvanised the Azzurri to their best ever incarnation. The former Argentine international guided Stade Français to the 2015 French Top 14 title before enjoying a successful spell with the Jaguares, leading the Argentine franchise to its first Super Rugby final in 2019.

Having also worked within Argentina's national set-up, Quesada arrived in Italy with an outstanding reputation, and his influence has helped the Azzurri continue their upward trajectory through improved structure, confidence and tactical maturity. His blend of club and international experience places him firmly among the game's leading modern coaches, with the 2026 Six Nations seeing Italy enjoy an unbeaten run at the Stadio Olimpico, and achieve a first ever men's test match win over England.

One of Argentina's greatest-ever players has made an impressive start to life as a head coach. Felipe Contepomi previously established himself as one of the world's leading assistants during a hugely successful spell as Leinster's backs coach, as the Dubliners claimed three league titles in his 2018-2022 tenure, before his calling to Los Pumas on a full-time basis.

His tenure has already featured notable victories over southern hemisphere heavyweights New Zealand and Australia, as well as a historic triumph over the British & Irish Lions to curtail their send-off last Summer. His masterful tactical intelligence and leadership qualities given his on-field time in the blue and white transend into this current Pumas side, who have proven time and again why they are no longer just making up the numbers in the Rugby Championship. Although still in the early stages of his head coaching career, Contepomi looks destined to become one of international rugby's standout coaches.

Dave Rennie has built one of the strongest coaching résumés in world rugby through sustained success across multiple competitions, as the newest appointed international head coach following his time in Japan. Rennie took over the All Blacks top job after Scott Robertson was released from the post, with Rennie jumping straight into the role for the inagural Nations Championship, following his latest Japan Rugby League One title success with Kobelco Kobe Steelers.

His coaching background is marvelously decorated, as Rennie guided the Chiefs to back-to-back Super Rugby titles in 2012 and 2013 before leading Glasgow Warriors to the 2019 Pro14 championship, ending a four-year wait for another league title. Although his spell with Australia coincided with a difficult period for the Wallabies, Rennie earned widespread respect for his player development, attacking philosophy and ability to build cohesive, competitive teams. His track record of success across both hemispheres firmly establishes him among the elite coaches of the professional era.

Andy Farrell has elevated Ireland to unprecedented heights, winning multiple Six Nations titles, including a Grand Slam in 2023, while guiding the national side to the number one ranking in world rugby. Under his leadership, Ireland have defeated every major nation and produced some of the finest rugby in their history.

Having previously enjoyed successful assistant coaching spells with England, Farrell now also heads up the British & Irish Lions, and oversaw the world famous tourists upon their triumphant 2-1 series win in Australia last Summer. Farrell has developed into one of the sport's premier head coaches, with his reputation continuing to grow through sustained excellence at Test level.

Fabien Galthié masterminded France's resurgence from inconsistent underachievers into one of world rugby's dominant forces. His side claimed the 2022 Six Nations Grand Slam before becoming one of the leading contenders for the 2023 Rugby World Cup and consistently competing for the world's number one ranking.

Earlier in his coaching career, Galthié guided Stade Français to the 2007 Top 14 title, while his emphasis on youth development, innovation and attacking rugby has helped reshape the modern French game. Galthie has since added back to back Six Nations titles to his resume, with Les Bleus successfully retaining the silverware in 2025 and 2026, with France looking like genuine contenders for their first ever Rugby World Cup title next Autumn.

Joe Schmidt's coaching résumé is among the finest of the professional era. He guided Leinster to back-to-back Heineken Cup titles in 2011 and 2012 before transforming Ireland into one of the world's leading Test sides, winning three Six Nations Championships, including a Grand Slam, and overseeing historic victories over New Zealand.

Named World Rugby Coach of the Year in 2018, Schmidt has since taken on the challenge of rebuilding Australia, adding another chapter to a career defined by meticulous preparation, tactical excellence and sustained success. Schmidt is set to part ways with the Wallabies this week, with his final match in charge set to come against Italy at the HBF Park in Perth. Queensland Reds head coach Les Kiss takes over the role, with Schmidt adamant to leave the ship in good order.

Few coaches can rival Eddie Jones' experience or influence on the professional game. The longest serving coach in the modern men's test rugby game today, Jones served as a technical adviser during South Africa's victorious Rugby World Cup campaign, all the way back in 2007. Jones then led Japan to their unforgettable victory over the Springboks at Brighton in 2015, in what is arguably the greatest upset in rugby history.

Jones took up the England job in 2015, following the end of the Stuart Lancaster era, and won his first of three Six Nations titles the following season. His time behind the England reins also included a Grand Slam, and taking the side all the way to the 2019 Rugby World Cup final. Now back at the helm of Japan, after an albeit controversial blemish with the Wallabies for the 2023 Rugby World Cup, and his tactical innovation and decades of elite coaching cements his place amongst rugby greatest minds.

Rassie Erasmus stands alone as the benchmark for modern international coaching. Rebuilding South Africa following a difficult period after the 2015 Rugby World Cup, he transformed the Springboks into back-to-back world champions in 2019 and 2023 while also delivering a British & Irish Lions series victory in 2021, first ever Rugby Championship title retentions, and repeated spells at the top of the world rankings.

Renowned for tactical innovation, the 'bomb squad', early squad announcements and light shows from the technical boxes, Rassie's exceptional squad management and meticulous preparation has redefined the Springboks' identity. His sustained success, silverware and influence on the modern game make him the outstanding head coach in world rugby today, with the head coach beloved by all in green and gold.

It's quipped that once Rassie is finished with rugby he should run for President of South Africa. Few people are more popular in the Rainbow Nation right now than Erasmus. And as South Africa hunt an u