The two rugby hemispheres are back together for the first time since the Rugby World Cup, with a bumper Test calendar set to play out across the globe in July.
World champions South Africa welcome Ireland to the Republic for a showdown that has already had quite the build-up, while Scott Robertson's first assignment as All Blacks coach comes against England.
Meanwhile, Australia and Wales do battle with both nations looking for a reversal in recent fortunes, while France are in Argentina and Scotland head to North America.
It really is a tantalising few weeks of rugby.
Read on for all the line-ups and key team news as it comes to hand, plus our match previews and the odds.
Friday, July 7
Samoa vs. Italy, Apia Park, Apia, 5:00pm [2:00pm AEST, 5:00am BST]
Samoa: Duncan Paia'au, Sebastian Visinia, Alapati Leiua, Danny Toala, Nigel Ah Wong, Alai D'Angelo Leuila, Jonathan Taumateine; Olajuwon Noa, Murphy Taramai, Theo McFarland, Samul Slade, Benjamin Petaia Nee-Nee, Marco Fepuleai, Sama Malolo, Aki Seiuli. Replacements: Andrew Tuala, Tietie Tuimauga, Lolani Faleiva, Michael Curry, Iakopo Mapu, Melani Matavao, Afa Moleli, Stacey Ili.
Italy: Matt Gallagher, Louis Lynagh, Juan Ignacio Brex, Tommaso Menoncello, Monty Ioane, Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney, Ross Vintcent, Michele Lamaro, Alessandro Izekor, Federico Ruzza, Niccolo Cannone, Simone Ferrari, Gianmarco Lucchesi, Danilo Fischetti. Replacements: Loris Zarantonello, Mirco Spagnolo, Giosue Zilocchi, Edoardo Iachizzi, Manuel Zuliani, Lorenzo Cannone, Martin Page-Relo, Leonardo Marin
Team news: Italy coach Gonzalo Quesada has named Matt Gallagher for his Test debut at fullback, but has otherwise stuck solid with the bulk of the squad that finished the Six Nations with a win over Wales in Cardiff. No. 8 Ross Vincent lock and Gianmarco Lucchesi are the other two new faces in the run-on side from that result.
Samoa have meanwhile named a squad that has been assembled from across the globe, but one that features eight players from the Moana Pasifika Super Rugby franchise. There is no Lima Sopoaga however, after the former All Blacks No. 10 was drafted in ahead of the World Cup.
Prediction: Test rugby returns to the Pacific as Samoa host Italy to kick off a bumper weekend of international action. While many of their Six Nations counterparts have taken the opportunity to experiment with their squads this July, the Azzurri have arrived in Samoa with their best squad possible and have thus named an imposing side to face the islanders. Buoyed by a Six Nations when they defeated both Scotland and Wales, and drew with France, Italy are a team on the up, with coach Gonzalo Quesada having added stability to a game plan that was too extravagant under Kieran Crowley. They will be met with a special breed of physicality early from Samoa, who will look to make Italy work in unfamiliar conditions. If the hosts can start well and achieve set-piece parity, than they have enough talent to cause an upset. But this Italy group is trending in the right direction and if they can survive an early onslaught, they have the game to wear down the Samoans. Italy by 10.
Saturday, July 6
New Zealand vs. England, Forsyth Barr Stadium, Dunedin, 7:05pm [5:05pm AEST, 8:05am BST]
New Zealand: Stephen Perofeta, Sevu Reece, Rieko Ioane, Jordie Barrett, Mark Tele'a, Damian McKenzie, TJ Perenara; Ardie Savea, Dalton Papali'i, Samipeni Finau, Patrick Tupiulotu, Scott Barrett (captain), Tyrel Lomax, Codie Taylor, Ethan de Groot. Replacements: Asafo Aumua, Ofa Tu'ungasfasi Fletcher Newell, Tupou Vaa'i, Luke Jacobson, Finlay Christie, Anton Lienert-Brown, Beauden Barrett.
England: George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso, Henry Slade, Ollie Lawrence, Tommy Freeman, Marcus Smith, Alex Mitchell; Ben Earl, Sam Underhill, Chandler Cunningham-South, George Martin, Maro Itoje, Will Stuart, Jamie George (captain), Joe Marler. Replacements: Theo Dan, Fin Baxter, Dan Cole, Alex Coles, Tom Curry, Ben Spencer, Fin Smith, Ollie Sleightholme
Odds: [tab.com.au Aus only] New Zealand $1.18, -11.5 $1.90; England $4.60, +11.5 $1.90
Team news: England coach Steve Borthwick has made two changes to the starting side that defeated Japan in Tokyo a fortnight ago, with Joe Marler and Will Stuart replacing Bevan Rodd and Dan Cole at loosehead and tighthead respectively. Cole drops back to the bench while Rodd is out of the matchday 23 altogether. Meanwhile, prop Fin Baxter and winger Ollie Sleightholme are in line to make their Test debuts after being named among the replacements.
First-year All Blacks coach Scott Robertson has meanwhile handed the fullback jersey to Blues custodian Stephen Perofeta ahead of the returning Beauden Barrett, who spent the most recent club season in Japan. Robertson otherwise named a predictable starting XV, with lock Patrick Tupiulotu deemed fit to start despite an ongoing knee injury. TJ Perenara is poised to play his first Test since 2022 after winning the No. 9 jersey ahead of Finlay Christie.
Prediction: England will carry plenty of confidence into their first Test in New Zealand in 10 years, as they aim to win on Kiwi soil for just the third time. Steve Borthwick's side showed improvements during the Six Nations and had a solid hit out against Japan last month. By contrast, New Zealand haven't played since the World Cup final in October and there's plenty of intrigue around how the new era under Robertson will look on the field. 'Razor' is a serial winner, but it will take time for him to build exactly what he wants. Stephen Perofeta has edged Beauden Barrett for the 15 jersey, and his performance will be crucial against the inevitable aerial threat from England, who could look to target him. While the All Blacks back three may be short on recent experience at Test level, don't expect them to take long to find their feet on a fast track under the roof. The conditions should also suit both fly-halves. Marcus Smith and Damian McKenzie will want to shine and put their stamp on their respective sides and there's no better place to do that than in Dunedin. England will need to start fast to have a chance of securing a famous victory. While there's plenty of new faces for New Zealand, there are players such as Ardie Savea who can carry the team on their backs. The All Black bench also boasts talent that can close out a match, which could give them the edge at home. New Zealand by 7.
Australia vs. Wales, Allianz Stadium, Sydney, 7:45pm [10:45am BST]
Australia: Tom Wright, Andrew Kellaway, Josh Flook, Hunter Paisami, Filipo Daugunu, Noah Lolesio, Jake Gordon, Rob Valetini, Fraser McReight, Liam Wright (captain), Lukhan Salakaia-Loto, Jeremy Williams, Taniela Tupou, Matt Faessler, James Slipper. Replacements: Billy Pollard, Isaac Kailea, Allan Alaalatoa, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Tate McDermott, Tom Lynagh, Dylan Pietsch.
Wales: Liam Williams, Josh Hathaway, Owen Watkin, Mason Grady, Rio Dyer, Ben Thomas, Ellis Bevan; Aaron Wainwright, Tommy Reffell, Taine Plumtree, Dafydd Jenkins, Christ Tshiunza, Archie Griffin, Dewi Lake (captain), Gareth Thomas. Replacements: Evan Lloyd, Kemsley Mathias, Harri O'Connor, Cory Hill, James Botham, Kieran Hardy, Sam Costelow, Nick Tompkins
Odds: [tab.com.au Aus only] Australia $1.15, -12.5 $1.90; Wales $5.20, +12.5 $1.90
Team news: The Wallabies have named an incredible seven debutants among their matchday 23, with new coach Joe Schmidt well and truly marking the start of a new era. Two of those, lock Jeremy Williams and centre Josh Flook are in the run-on side while Isaac Kailea, Angus Blyth, Charlie Cale, Tom Lynagh and Dylan Pietsch will take their bows when or if they are introduced off the bench. Schmidt has also named a new captain, Australia's seventh in 12 months, with Queensland back-rower Liam Wright to lead the side from No. 6.
Wales coach Warren Gatland has meanwhile turned to fly-half Ben Thomas in the No. 10 jersey, the playmaker entrusted with the role of steering the team around for the first time in three years. Elsewhere, winger Josh Hathaway will make his Test debut as veteran Liam Williams switches to fullback. Dewi Lake will captain the side from hooker.
Prediction: Australia's latest chapter will finally begin under Joe Schmidt as the Kiwi looks to pick up the pieces from the rubble left by Eddie Jones last year. Incredibly, the Wallabies have been installed as $1.15 favourites, despite the fact it was Wales who walloped them 40-6 at last year's World Cup. Schmidt has entrusted the start of this new Wallabies journey to players based entirely in Australia and there will be some continuity from Super Rugby level, though not in the halves where Jake Gordon and Noah Lolesio team up. The team is built around the Brumbies and Reds teams that performed strongly in Super Rugby, with a smattering of a Rebels team in key positions, particularly Taniela Tupou at tighthead prop. If the Wallabies can get on top at set-piece time, there is more than enough attacking talent in the backline to put Wales under the pump. Gatland's side, however, will relish the role as massive outsiders and have plenty of belief they can topple the Australia on their own patch for the first time since 1969. There is, of course, no Dan Biggar, Gareth Anscombe, Taulupe Faletau or George North, who were mainstays of Wales for so man years. The visitors do have the benefit of some recent rugby together, but their hammering by South Africa at Twickenham and the memory of a defeat at home to Italy still lingers. Regardless, this looks like a far closer contest than the bookmakers would have you believe. Australia by 5.
South Africa vs. Ireland, Loftus Versfeld, Pretoria, 5:00pm [1:00am Sun AEST, 4:00pm BST]
South Africa: Willie le Roux, Cheslin Kolbe, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Handre Pollard, Faf de Klerk, Kwagga Smith, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (captain), Franco Mostert, Eben Etzebeth, Frans Malherbe, Bongi Mbonambi, Ox Nche. Replacements: Malcolm Marx, Gerhard Steenekamp, Vincent Koch, Salmaan Moerat, RG Snyman, Marco van Staden, Grant Williams, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu.
Ireland: Jamie Osborne, Calvin Nash, Robbie Henshaw, Bundee Aki, James Lowe, Jack Crowley, Craig Casey; Caelan Doris, Josh van der Flier, Peter O'Mahony (captain), Tadhg Beirne, Joe McCarthy, Tadhg Furlong, Dan Sheehan, Andrew Porter Replacements: Rónan Kelleher, Cian Healy, Finlay Bealham, James Ryan, Ryan Baird, Conor Murray, Ciaran Frawley, Garry Ringrose.
Odds: [tab.com.au, Aus only] South Africa $1.42 -5.5 $1.85; Ireland $2.80, +5.5 $1.95
Team news: Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus has named 12 players that started in their 2023 World Cup final victory, including scrum-half Faf de Klerk who was under an injury cloud. Handre Pollard returns to the side at fly-half after missing the 41-13 victory over Wales last month. Only three players named in the squad -- Gerhard Steenekamp, Salmaan Moerat and Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu -- did not play in last year's final.
"We are blessed to have a lot of depth in our squad, and we are in a fortunate position to have several Rugby World Cup-winners in our ranks who know what it takes to perform at the highest level," Erasmus said.
For Ireland, fullback Jamie Osborne has been named to win his first international cap. After claiming a second-straight Six Nations title, coach Andy Farrell has named a familiar side to take on the world champions. Peter O'Mahony returns as captain, while Jack Crowley is again handed the reigns in the No. 10 jersey.
Prediction: Boy, has the build-up to this one been spicy! After defeating South Africa at last year's World Cup, Ireland's campaign again ended in the quarterfinals, this time to the All Blacks, in a game that will live long in the memory. When the Springboks lifted the Webb Ellis trophy a few weeks later, the South Africans had bragging rights despite that earlier loss, but now want to prove they are indeed the best team on the planet. Returning to the top job -- if he wasn't doing it before -- Rassie Erasmus has named an imposing 23, with a handful of fresh faces on the bench. Ireland, meanwhile, have brought a first-rate squad of their own, with only a couple of key omissions, plus the retirement of Jonny Sexton, from the team that won that pool clash in Paris. This game has all the makings of a classic, and one that will be fought in the ferociously in the air, at set-piece and, of course, at the breakdown. There may only be a handful of genuine try-scoring chances, just as it was in Paris, so goal-kicking will be hugely important, which makes the presence of Handre Pollard all the more comforting for Springboks fans. South Africa by 3.
Argentina vs. France, Estadio Malvinas Argentinas, Mendoza, 4:00pm [5:00am Sun AEST, 8:00pm BST]
Argentina: Martin Bogado, Bautista Delguy, Matias Moroni, Jeronimo de la Fuente, Mateo Carreras, Santiago Carreras, Gonzalo Bertranou, Joaquin Oviedo, Marcos Kremer, Pablo Matera, Lucas Paulos, Matias Alemanno, Eduardo Bello, Julian Montoya (captain), Thomas Gallo Replacements: Ignacio Ruiz, Mayco Vivas, Lucio Sordoni, Franco Molina, Bautista Pedemonte, Lautaro Bazan Velez, Tomas Albornoz, Matias Orlando.
France: Leo Barre, Theo Attissogbe, Emile Gailleton, Antoine Frisch, Lester Etien, Antoine Hastoy, Baptiste Serin (captain), Jordan Joseph, Oscar Jegou, Judicael Cancoriet, Baptiste Pesenti, Hugo Auradou, George-Henri Colombe, Gaetan Barlot, Jean-Baptiste Gros Replacements: Teddy Baubigny, Sebastien Taofifenua, Demba Bamba, Posolo Tuilagi, Mickael Guillard, Lenni Nouchi, Baptiste Couilloud, Melvyn Jaminet.
Team news: In what will be Felipe Contepomi's debut as head coach of the Argentine national team, the coach confirmed the 23 players who will be present at the Estadio Malvinas Argentinas. The special feature is that Bautista Pedemonte and Franco Molina could make their full debuts for Los Pumas. Both forwards will be among the replacements on the substitutes' bench.
Bautista Delguy will be among those making a return to the Albiceleste squad after missing out on France 2023.
Fabien Galthié has decided to start Léo Barré at fullback, where he made his debut in the last Six Nations. The back three is completed by Lester Etien and Théo Attissogbhe, another of last season's breakthrough players.
In midfield, Toulon's new signing Antoine Frisch, a former Munster player, will make his debut for France. France will have a number of absentees among the backs, including Maxime Lucu, Matthieu Jalibert, Antoine Dupont, Romain Ntamack and Nolann le Garrec. This means that Baptiste Serin (captain) and Antoine Hastoy will be the starting half-back pairing.
Elsewhere, Jean-Baptiste Gros returns to the front row after a long injury lay-off, alongside Georges-Henri Colombe and Gaëtan Barlot. In the second row, Baptiste Pesenti, who was last called up in 2021, will make his return alongside Hugo Auradou, who showed a good performance in Pau. Finally, Judicael Cancoriet will be returning to the back row for the French national team for the first time in six years, alongside Oscar Jegou and Jordan Joseph.
Prediction: It will be a tough test for Los Pumas, who will be starting their World Cup campaign with a number of new faces and several key players rested, including Juan Cruz Mallia, Santiago Chocobares, Juan Martin Gonzalez and Lucio Cinti. They will also be without first-choice kickers: Emiliano Boffelli, who is out with a back injury, and Nicolas Sanchez, who was not called up for the July window. France, on the other hand, are missing most of the players who featured at the last World Cup, but they do have several quality players who compete week in, week out against the best teams in the Top 14. Argentina by 5.
Canada vs. Scotland, TD Place, Ottawa, 5:00pm [7am Sun AEST, 10:00pm BST]
Canada: Cooper Coats, Andrew Coe, Mitch Richardson, Ben LeSage, Nic Benn, Peter Nelson, Jason Higgins, Siaki Vikilani, Lucas Rumball (captain), Mason Flesch, Kyle Baillie, Conor Keys, Conor Young, Andrew Quattrin, Liam Murray. Replacements: Jesse Mackail, Djustice Sears-Duru, Cole Keith, James Stockwood, Siôn Parry, Brock Gallagher, Talon McMullin, Takoda McMullin
Scotland: Harry Paterson, Jamie Dobie, Matt Currie, Stafford McDowall (co-captain), Arron Reed, Ross Thompson, Gus Warr, Josh Bayliss, Luke Crosbie (co-captain), Gregor Brown, Glen Young, Max Williamson, Elliot Millar Mills, Dylan Richardson, Rory Sutherland. Replacements: Robbie Smith, Nathan McBeth, Will Hurd, Ewan Johnson, Matt Fagerson, Ben Healy, Kyle Steyn, Ross McCann.
Team news: Five uncapped players were named in Scotland's starting line-up for their test against Canada in Ottawa on Saturday, plus a further five newcomers on the substitute's bench.
Gregor Brown, Matt Currie, Arron Reed, Gus Warr and Max Williamson are among 14 changes from Scotland's last game against Ireland in the Six Nations Championship.
Only Stafford McDowall, who wins a second cap, remains from the 17-13 defeat in Dublin, and he will co-captain the side along with flanker Luke Crosbie.
Loose forward Brown and lock Williamson come into the side after helping Glasgow Warriors to success in the United Rugby Championship.
Most of Scotland's regulars have been rested for their Americas tour, which also takes in tests against the U.S., Chile and Uruguay.
The most experienced player in the team is prop Rory Sutherland with 30 caps.
Prediction: While this is a vastly different looking Scotland outfit, Gregor Townsend's side should have far too much class for Canada. It affords the Scotland coach the perfect opportunity to get a look at the emerging crop of players and just how they may fit into the main squad for the autumn Test series on home soil at the end of the year. Canada's team is largely made up of players from Major League Rugby, which remains several steps below the premier competitions across the globe. Scotland by 30.
Information from Reuters contributed to this report.