The 2018 mid-year rugby union internationals (also known as the summer internationals in the Northern Hemisphere) are international rugby union matches that are mostly played in the Southern Hemisphere during the June international window.
The matches are part of World Rugby's global rugby calendar (2012–19) that includes test matches between touring Northern Hemisphere nations and home Southern Hemisphere nations. In addition, the global calendar gives Tier 2 nations the opportunity to play Tier 1 nations outside the November International Window, increasing competitiveness from the Tier 2 sides ahead of the 2019 Rugby World Cup.
Series Series Result Winner New Zealand–France Test series 3–0 Australia–Ireland Test series 2–1 Argentina–Wales Test series 2–0 South Africa–England Test series 2–1 Japan–Italy Test series 1–1
Fixtures
27 May
Team details FB 15Elliot DalyRW 14Jonny MayOC 13Henry Trinder IC 12Piers FrancisLW 11Mike Brown FH 10George FordSH 9 Ben Youngs N8 8 Zach Mercer OF 7 Tom CurryBF 6 Chris Robshaw (c)RL 5 Joe LaunchburyLL 4 Elliott Stooke TP 3 Kyle Sinckler HK 2 Jack Singleton LP 1 Joe Marler Replacements:HK 16George McGuigan PR 17Ellis Genge PR 18Nick Schonert LK 19Josh Beaumont FL 20Mark Wilson SH 21Dan Robson FH 22Danny Cipriani WG 23Denny Solomona Coach: Eddie Jones FB 15 Chris AshtonRW 14 Josua TuisovaOC 13 Semi RadradraIC 12 Josh Matavesi LW 11 Niyi AdeolokunFH 10 Finn Russell SH 9 Rhodri Williams N8 8 Victor VitoOF 7 Justin TipuricBF 6 Juan Martín Fernández Lobbe (c) RL 5 Sitaleki Timani LL 4 Ultan DillaneTP 3 John Afoa HK 2 Benjamin Kayser LP 1 Denis Buckley Replacements:HK 16 Tatafu Polota-Nau PR 17 Loni Uhila PR 18 Ramiro Herrera LK 19 Joe Tekori N8 20 Nili Latu SH 21 Greig Laidlaw FH 22 Luke McAlister WG 23 Malakai Fekitoa Coach: Pat Lam Man of the Match: Semi Radradra (Barbarians)
Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Ben Whitehouse (Wales) Television match official: Brian MacNeice (Ireland) Notes: This is the first time since 2014 the Barbarians had defeated England.
31 May
Team details FB 15Merab Kvirikashvili RW 14Soso MatiashviliOC 13Giorgi KveseladzeIC 12Tamaz MchedlidzeLW 11Anzor Sitchinava FH 10Revaz Jinchvelashvili SH 9 Vasil Lobzhanidze N8 8 Mikheil Gachechiladze OF 7 Guram ShengeliaBF 6 Giorgi Tsutskiridze RL 5 Giorgi Nemsadze (c) LL 4 Otar GiorgadzeTP 3 Giorgi Melikidze HK 2 Shalva Mamukashvili LP 1 Giorgi Tetrashvili Replacements:HK 16Giorgi Chkoidze PR 17Zurab Zhvania PR 18Irakli Mirtskhulava LK 19Nodar Tcheishvili LK 20Shalva Sutiashvili SH 21Vazha Khutsishvili FH 22Lasha Khmaladze WG 23Alexander Todua FL 24Saba Shubitidze FB 25Beka Tsiklauri Coach: Milton Haig FB 15 Yoann Laousse Azpiazu RW 14 Bastien GuilleminOC 13 Olivier Klemenczak IC 12 Dorian Laborde LW 11 Kylan HamdaouiFH 10 Maxime Mathy SH 9 Tom Ecochard N8 8 Hugo Fabregues OF 7 Alan BrazoBF 6 Alban Placines RL 5 Maxime Granouillet LL 4 Hans Nkinsi TP 3 Walter Desmaison HK 2 Christophe David (c) LP 1 Enzo Forletta Replacements:HK 16 Raphael Carbou PR 17 Malino Vanai LK 18 Jean-Baptiste Singer FL 19 Nicolas Garrault SH 20 Julien Blanc FB 21 Jerome Bosviel CE 22 Peyo Muscarditz PR 23 Blaise Dumas Coach: David Auradou Christophe Laussucq Touch judges: Nika Amashukeli (Georgia) Saba Abulashvili (Georgia)
2 June
Team details FB 15Curwin Bosch RW 14Travis IsmaielOC 13Jesse KrielIC 12André EsterhuizenLW 11Makazole Mapimpi FH 10Elton Jantjies SH 9 Ivan van ZylN8 8 Dan du Preez OF 7 Oupa MohojéBF 6 Kwagga Smith RL 5 Pieter-Steph du Toit (c)LL 4 Jason Jenkins TP 3 Wilco Louw HK 2 Chiliboy Ralepelle LP 1 Ox Nché Replacements:HK 16Akker van der Merwe PR 17Steven Kitshoff PR 18Thomas du Toit LK 19Marvin Orie FL 20Sikhumbuzo Notshe SH 21Embrose Papier FH 22Robert du Preez WG 23Warrick Gelant Coach: Rassie Erasmus FB 15Hallam AmosRW 14Tom PrydieOC 13George NorthIC 12Owen Watkin LW 11Steff Evans FH 10Gareth AnscombeSH 9 Tomos Williams N8 8 Ross MoriartyOF 7 Ellis Jenkins (c)BF 6 Seb DaviesRL 5 Cory HillLL 4 Bradley DaviesTP 3 Dillon Lewis HK 2 Elliot Dee LP 1 Nicky Smith Replacements:HK 16Ryan Elias PR 17Wyn Jones PR 18Rhodri Jones LK 19Adam BeardFL 20Aaron WainwrightSH 21Aled Davies FH 22Rhys PatchellCE 23Hadleigh Parkes Coach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: Ellis Jenkins (Wales)
Touch judges: Alexandre Ruiz (France) Frank Murphy (Ireland) Television match official: David Grashoff (England) Notes: Tomos Williams (Wales) and Robert du Preez, Thomas du Toit, André Esterhuizen, Travis Ismaiel, Jason Jenkins, Makazole Mapimpi, Ox Nché, Sikhumbuzo Notshe, Marvin Orie, Embrose Papier, Kwagga Smith, Akker van der Merwe and Ivan van Zyl (all South Africa) made their international debuts. This victory saw Wales record a record third consecutive win against the Springboks.
9 June
Team details FB 15Kotaro MatsushimaRW 14Lomano LemekiOC 13Will Tupou IC 12Timothy LafaeleLW 11Kenki FukuokaFH 10Yu Tamura SH 9 Fumiaki Tanaka N8 8 Amanaki Mafi OF 7 Michael Leitch (c)BF 6 Kazuki HimenoRL 5 Samuela AniseLL 4 Wimpie van der Walt TP 3 Koo Ji-won HK 2 Shota Horie LP 1 Keita Inagaki Replacements:HK 16Yusuke Niwai PR 17Shintaro Ishihara PR 18Takuma Asahara LK 19Uwe Helu FL 20Yoshitaka Tokunaga SH 21Yutaka Nagare FH 22Rikiya Matsuda CE 23Ryoto Nakamura Coach: Jamie Joseph FB 15Matteo MinozziRW 14Tommaso BenvenutiOC 13Michele CampagnaroIC 12Tommaso CastelloLW 11Mattia Bellini FH 10Tommaso AllanSH 9 Marcello Violi N8 8 Braam SteynOF 7 Giovanni Licata BF 6 Sebastian NegriRL 5 Dean Budd LL 4 Alessandro Zanni TP 3 Tiziano Pasquali HK 2 Leonardo Ghiraldini (c) LP 1 Andrea Lovotti Replacements:HK 16Luca Bigi PR 17Federico Zani PR 18Giosuè Zilocchi LK 19George Biagi LK 20Marco Fuser FL 21Jake Polledri SH 22Tito Tebaldi FB 23Jayden Hayward Coach: Conor O'Shea Touch judges: Nigel Owens (Wales) Nick Briant (New Zealand) Television match official: Rowan Kitt (England) Notes: This is Japan's biggest winning margin over a Tier 1 Nation, surpassing the 15-point difference set in 1998 and 2013 with wins over Argentina and Wales. Giosuè Zilocchi (Italy) made his international debut.
Team details FB 15Jordie Barrett RW 14Ben SmithOC 13Anton Lienert-BrownIC 12Ryan Crotty LW 11Rieko IoaneFH 10Beauden BarrettSH 9 Aaron Smith N8 8 Luke Whitelock OF 7 Sam Cane BF 6 Liam SquireRL 5 Scott BarrettLL 4 Sam Whitelock (c)TP 3 Owen Franks HK 2 Codie Taylor LP 1 Joe Moody Replacements:HK 16Nathan Harris PR 17Karl Tu’inukuafe PR 18Ofa Tu'ungafasi FL 19Vaea Fifita FL 20Ardie Savea SH 21TJ Perenara FH 22Damian McKenzie CE 23Ngani Laumape Coach: Steve Hansen FB 15Maxime MédardRW 14Teddy ThomasOC 13Mathieu Bastareaud (c)IC 12Geoffrey DoumayrouLW 11Rémy Grosso FH 10Anthony Belleau SH 9 Morgan Parra N8 8 Fabien SanconnieOF 7 Kevin GourdonBF 6 Judicaël Cancoriet RL 5 Yoann MaestriLL 4 Paul Gabrillagues TP 3 Uini Atonio HK 2 Camille Chat LP 1 Dany Priso Replacements:HK 16Adrien Pélissié PR 17Cyril Baille PR 18Rabah Slimani FL 19Bernard Le Roux FL 20Alexandre Lapandry SH 21Baptiste Serin FH 22Jules Plisson CE 23Gaël Fickou Coach: Jacques Brunel Man of the Match: Codie Taylor (New Zealand)
Touch judges: Angus Gardner (Australia) John Lacey (Ireland) Television match official: George Ayoub (Australia) Notes: Karl Tu’inukuafe (New Zealand) made his international debut. Beauden Barrett, Jordie Barrett and Scott Barrett became the first trio of brothers to start in an All Blacks XV.
Team details FB 15Israel FolauRW 14Dane Haylett-Petty OC 13Samu KereviIC 12Kurtley BealeLW 11Marika KoroibeteFH 10Bernard FoleySH 9 Will Genia N8 8 Caleb Timu OF 7 Michael Hooper (c)BF 6 David Pocock RL 5 Adam ColemanLL 4 Izack Rodda TP 3 Sekope Kepu HK 2 Brandon Paenga-Amosa LP 1 Scott Sio Replacements:HK 16Tolu Latu PR 17Tom Robertson PR 18Taniela Tupou LK 19Rob Simmons LK 20Lukhan Tui FL 21Pete Samu SH 22Nick Phipps WG 23Reece Hodge Coach: Michael Cheika FB 15Rob KearneyRW 14Keith Earls OC 13Robbie HenshawIC 12Bundee AkiLW 11Jacob StockdaleFH 10Joey Carbery SH 9 Conor Murray N8 8 CJ StanderOF 7 Jordi MurphyBF 6 Peter O'Mahony (c) RL 5 Iain Henderson LL 4 James RyanTP 3 John Ryan HK 2 Rob Herring LP 1 Jack McGrath Replacements:HK 16Seán Cronin PR 17Cian Healy PR 18Tadhg Furlong LK 19Quinn Roux N8 20Jack Conan SH 21Kieran Marmion FH 22Johnny Sexton FB 23Jordan Larmour Coach: Joe Schmidt Man of the Match: David Pocock (Australia)
Touch judges: Pascal Gaüzère (France) Paul Williams (New Zealand) Television match official: Ben Skeen (New Zealand) Notes: Brandon Paenga-Amosa, Pete Samu and Caleb Timu (all Australia) made their international debuts.
Team details FB 15Willie le Roux RW 14Sbu NkosiOC 13Lukhanyo AmIC 12Damian de Allende LW 11Aphiwe DyantyiFH 10Handré PollardSH 9 Faf de Klerk N8 8 Duane VermeulenOF 7 Jean-Luc du Preez BF 6 Siya Kolisi (c) RL 5 Franco MostertLL 4 RG SnymanTP 3 Wilco Louw HK 2 Bongi Mbonambi LP 1 Tendai Mtawarira Replacements:HK 16Akker van der Merwe PR 17Steven Kitshoff PR 18Thomas du Toit LK 19Pieter-Steph du Toit FL 20Sikhumbuzo Notshe SH 21Ivan van Zyl FH 22Elton Jantjies WG 23Warrick Gelant Coach: Rassie Erasmus FB 15Elliot DalyRW 14Jonny MayOC 13Henry SladeIC 12Owen Farrell (c)LW 11Mike Brown FH 10George Ford SH 9 Ben Youngs N8 8 Billy VunipolaOF 7 Tom Curry BF 6 Chris RobshawRL 5 Nick Isiekwe LL 4 Maro ItojeTP 3 Kyle Sinckler HK 2 Jamie George LP 1 Mako Vunipola Replacements:HK 16Luke Cowan-Dickie PR 17Joe Marler PR 18Harry Williams FL 19Brad Shields N8 20Nathan Hughes SH 21Ben Spencer FH 22Piers Francis WG 23Denny Solomona Coach: Eddie Jones Man of the Match: Faf de Klerk (South Africa)
Touch judges: Romain Poite (France) Glen Jackson (New Zealand) Television match official: Simon McDowell (Ireland) Notes: Aphiwe Dyantyi, Sbu Nkosi and RG Snyman (all South Africa) and Brad Shields and Ben Spencer (both England) made their international debuts. Siya Kolisi became the first non-white South African captain. Mako Vunipola (England) earned his 50th test cap.
Team details FB 15Emiliano BoffelliRW 14Bautista Delguy OC 13Matías OrlandoIC 12Jerónimo de la FuenteLW 11Ramiro MoyanoFH 10Nicolás Sánchez SH 9 Gonzalo Bertranou N8 8 Javier Ortega DesioOF 7 Marcos KremerBF 6 Pablo Matera RL 5 Tomás Lavanini LL 4 Guido PettiTP 3 Nahuel Tetaz Chaparro HK 2 Agustín Creevy (c) LP 1 Santiago García Botta Replacements:HK 16Julián Montoya PR 17Javier Díaz PR 18Santiago Medrano LK 19Matías Alemanno FL 20Tomás Lezana SH 21Martín Landajo FH 22Santiago González Iglesias WG 23Sebastián Cancelliere Coach: Daniel Hourcade FB 15Hallam AmosRW 14Josh AdamsOC 13Scott WilliamsIC 12Hadleigh ParkesLW 11George NorthFH 10Rhys Patchell SH 9 Gareth Davies N8 8 Ross MoriartyOF 7 James DaviesBF 6 Seb Davies RL 5 Cory Hill (c) LL 4 Adam BeardTP 3 Dillon Lewis HK 2 Elliot Dee LP 1 Rob Evans Replacements:HK 16Ryan Elias PR 17Nicky Smith PR 18Tomas Francis FL 19Josh Turnbull FL 20Aaron Wainwright SH 21Aled Davies FH 22Gareth Anscombe CE 23Owen WatkinCoach: Warren Gatland Man of the Match: James Davies (Wales)
Touch judges: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Mathieu Raynal (France) Television match official: Marius Jonker (South Africa) Notes: Javier Díaz, Bautista Delguy and Santiago Medrano (all Argentina) and Aaron Wainwright (Wales) made their international debuts. This is Wales' first victory over Argentina in Argentina since their 35–20 win in 2004.