2016 mid year rugby union internationals

The 2016 mid-year rugby union internationals (also known as the Summer Internationals in the Northern Hemisphere) are international rugby union matches that were mostly played in the Southern Hemisphere during the June International Window.

Contents

• Week 1
• Week 2
• Week 3 Old Mutual Wealth Cup
• Week 5
• Week 6
• References

The matches were part of World Rugby's Global rugby calendar (2012–19) that included Test matches between the touring Northern Hemisphere nations and the home Southern Hemisphere nations, whilst some of the touring teams played mid-week matches against provincial or regional sides. In addition to this, the global calendar gave Tier 2 nations the opportunity to host Tier 1 nations outside the November International Window, increasing competitiveness from the Tier 2 sides.

All Six Nations teams were in action, where the grand slam champions England played a three-test series against The Rugby Championship reigning champions Australia. South Africa hosted a three-test series against Ireland, meanwhile Wales toured New Zealand, where they played the a three-test series against the world champions, the All Blacks, and played a mid-week match against the Chiefs. In addition to this, Wales travelled to London, where they contested the Old Mutual Wealth Cup with England before travelling to New Zealand. Argentina hosted Italy, before they played a two-test series against France, whilst Italy continued their tour of the Americas in North America, where they played Canada and the United States.

2019 Rugby World Cup hosts Japan looked to improve on their 2015 Rugby World Cup display when they hosted Scotland for a two-test series, whilst they also played away to Canada in a first ever international rugby union Test match at BC Place. Russia toured North America, playing a test against both Canada and the United States, in what was Russia's first visit to North America since 2010.

Georgia traveled to the Pacific Islands, where Fiji and Samoa each hosted the Lelos for the first time; Georgia also faced Tonga at a neutral venue in Fiji. Furthermore, Brazil hosted Kenya in what was the first time Brazil had hosted an African nation. Like in 2015, Uruguay played host to the Fiji Warriors in a two-match series, whilst an English development team, England Saxons, played a two-match series against South Africa's A team.

For Argentina, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa, the matches acted as warm-ups ahead of the 2016 Rugby Championship.