2014 mid year rugby union internationals

The 2014 mid-year rugby union internationals (also known as the Summer Internationals in the Northern Hemisphere) refer to international rugby union matches that are mostly played in the Southern Hemisphere during the June International Window.

Contents

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3
• Week 5
• References

These matches were part of the International Rugby Board (IRB) Global rugby calendar (2012–19) that includes test matches between the touring Northern Hemisphere nations and the home Southern Hemisphere nations, whilst some of the touring teams will play mid-week matches against provincial or regional sides. In addition to this, the Global calendar gives Tier 2 nations the opportunity to host Tier 1 nations outside the November International Window as the IRB counts down to the 2015 Rugby World Cup.

All Six Nations teams were in action, with England playing a three-test series against New Zealand, whilst playing a mid-week match against the Crusaders. France played Australia in a three-test series, whilst Italy toured the Pacific-rim, playing Fiji, Samoa and Japan. Wales played South Africa in a two-test series, with an additional mid-week match against the Eastern Province Kings, and Ireland played Argentina in a two-test series. Scotland, the only nation that played four tests, will tour the Americas, playing the United States, Canada and Argentina, before playing South Africa outside the IRB International Window. Unlike previous June windows, 2014 saw Tier 3 fixtures with Uruguay hosting Canadian side BC Bears, to celebrate the 125th Anniversary of the British Columbia Rugby Union. It will also act as a preparation match for Uruguay, ahead of their 2015 Rugby World Cup Repechage play-offs in August against Hong Kong. Namibia and Kenya both played South African domestic club Western Province, as warm-up matches ahead of the final round of the 2015 Rugby World Cup African qualification. Namibia also played the Blue Bulls in a second warm-up match for the African qualification spot.

England and South Africa also hosted invitational sides, with England hosting the annual Barbarians match at Twickenham, and South Africa hosting a World XV side for the first time since 2006. Tonga played a test match against a Pacific Barbarians side, to replace their bye during the 2014 IRB Pacific Nations Cup and to fill a shortfall in their international calendar leading into next year's World Cup.

For Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the matches acted as warm-ups ahead of the 2014 Rugby Championship.