The Autumn Nations is the precursor to the Six Nations for rugby fans in Ireland and the UK. Ireland, England, Scotland and Wales all take part in the series, playing some of the biggest international teams in the world, including Australia, South Africa and New Zealand. The original purpose of the series was for teams from the Northern Hemisphere to challenge their Southern counterparts outside of a major tournament.
However, there have been several changes over the years. Even the name itself has gone through some changes. Originally known as the Autumn Nations Series and Autumn Internationals, it was changed to the ‘Quilter Nations Series’ for sponsorship reasons. One thing that has not changed, though, is the entertainment value.
With so many unmissable fixtures on the calendar, fans will be eager to know how and where they can catch every tackle, try and conversion. Here’s your complete guide on where to watch the 2025 Autumn Nations Series in Ireland and the UK.
Watch the Autumn Internationals 2025
TNT Sports
TNT Sports is the main broadcaster for the 2025 Autumn Nations Series in Ireland and the UK. Live coverage of every fixture will be available throughout November on TNT Sports 1, 2, and 3, with matches also available to stream live on Discovery+ for subscribers. Coverage will include in-depth pre-match analysis, expert commentary, and exclusive post-match interviews. Fans can also catch highlights and replays on the TNT Sports app and website shortly after each game, ensuring you don’t miss any of the action from the Autumn Internationals.
Virgin Media Play
Virgin Media Play will be the home of Irish rugby throughout the Quilter Nations Series. Every fixture throughout the month will be free to watch on Virgin’s TV channels and streaming service. Viewers can watch live or catch up on-demand through the Virgin Media Player app or website. The platform will also feature exclusive behind-the-scenes content, match highlights, and expert analysis. It will give Irish rugby supporters a complete viewing experience throughout the Autumn Nations Series 2025.
S4C
For Welsh rugby fans, all fixtures will be free to air on S4C and S4C Clic. The Welsh language channel will provide comprehensive live coverage, including commentary and analysis in Welsh, along with pre- and post-match shows. Fans can also stream matches online via S4C Clic or the S4C app, ensuring easy access from any device. In addition to live broadcasts, S4C will offer highlights, interviews, and special features celebrating Welsh players and rugby culture throughout the Autumn Rugby Internationals 2025.
BBC iPlayer
Welsh fans can also stream the Dragons on BBC iPlayer. The platform will provide live commentary in English, all accessible for free to viewers across the UK. Fans can also catch up on missed games and enjoy extended highlights, interviews, and rugby-focused programmes.
How does the Autumn Nations Series work?
The Quilter Nations Series brings together the world’s best rugby nations for a run of exciting autumn clashes across Europe. Powerhouses like South Africa, Australia, and New Zealand tour the northern hemisphere to take on England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales in a string of standalone Tests that reignite classic rivalries.
Beyond the thrill of the fixtures, the Series carries extra weight this year. It will be the last chance for teams to climb the World Rugby rankings before seedings are locked in for the 2027 Men’s Rugby World Cup on 3 December. With only fractions of points separating the top sides, every result matters.
It’s also a showcase of elite talent as some of the stars and highest-paid rugby players from the United Rugby Championship, Premiership, Top 14, and Super Rugby face off against their club teammates in international colours.
Which Teams Participate in the Autumn Rugby Internationals?
The format has expanded over the years to allow more countries to take part in the Autumn Nations Series. This has helped the growth of the sport in nations like Canada and the USA, where rugby was previously not very popular.
- England
- Australia
- South Africa
- Japan
- Scotland
- USA
- Ireland
- New Zealand
- Fiji
- Italy
- France
- Argentina
- Chile
- Tonga
Where is the Autumn Nations Series?
For the most part, home nations will play their games in their respective home stadiums: Aviva Stadium for Ireland, Twickenham for England, Murrayfield for Scotland, and the Millennium Stadium for Wales. However, Ireland’s opening game will be played in the USA at Soldier Field, Chicago. The clash on 1 November 2025 will mark nine years since Ireland’s historic win over the All Blacks at the same venue.
That win ended a 111-year wait for victory and remains one of the defining moments in Irish rugby history. Ireland are the rugby betting underdogs, but will be hopeful of another breathtaking victory over the All Blacks.
When is the Autumn Nations Series?
The Autumn Nation Series begins on November 1st for fans in Ireland. They kick off their series with a huge clash with New Zealand in Chicago. Elsewhere, England hosts Australia, and Scotland welcomes the USA on the same date. Wales begin their series the following weekend when they play Argentina in Cardiff. The fixtures come thick and fast until the fifth and final week, when Wales host South Africa on November 29th. Ireland’s last fixture is the week before, also against South Africa.
Autumn Internationals Fixtures 2025
The series lasts five weeks, with Ireland and the home nations playing four times. South Africa plays the most games with five fixtures, while teams like Chile, Italy and Tonga play just once.
Week 1 – November 1st/5th
- England vs Australia
- South Africa vs Japan
- Scotland vs USA
- Ireland vs New Zealand
Week 2 – November 7th/8th/9th
- Georgia vs USA
- Ireland vs Japan
- Romania vs Canada
- Portugal vs Uruguay
- Colombia vs Mexico
- Scotland vs New Zealand
- England vs Fiji
- Italy vs Australia
- France vs South Africa
- Wales vs Argentina
Week 3 – November 15th/16th
- Georgia vs Canada
- Italy vs South Africa
- Romania vs USA
- Portugal vs Hong Kong
- England vs New Zealand
- Wales vs Japan
- Ireland vs Australia
- France vs Fiji
- Scotland vs Argentina
Week 4 – November 22nd/23rd
- Georgia vs Japan
- Romania vs Uruguay
- Wales vs New Zealand
- Spain vs Fiji
- Portugal vs Canada
- Ireland vs South Africa
- France vs Australia
- Italy vs Chile
- Scotland vs Tonga
- England vs Argentina
Week 5 – November 29th
- Wales vs South Africa
