The 2021 mid-year rugby union internationals (also known as the summer internationals in the

Northern Hemisphere The Northern Hemisphere is the half of Earth that is north of the Equator. For other planets in the Solar System, north is defined as being in the same celestial hemisphere relative to the invariable plane of the solar system as Earth's Nort ...

) were a series of international

rugby union Rugby union, commonly known simply as rugby, is a close-contact team sport that originated at Rugby School in the first half of the 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand. In its m ...

matches that are typically played in the Southern Hemisphere during the July international window. Due to ongoing restrictions around the world due to the

COVID-19 pandemic The COVID-19 pandemic, also known as the coronavirus pandemic, is an ongoing global pandemic of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) caused by severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2). The novel virus was first identif ...

, a number of matches were cancelled, and some series reversed so that the Northern Hemisphere nations hosted the matches, and some teams played for the first time since their final matches of the

2019 Rugby World Cup The 2019 Rugby World Cup was the ninth edition of the Rugby World Cup, the quadrennial world championship for men's rugby union teams. It was hosted in Japan from 20 September to 2 November in 12 venues all across the country. The opening match ...

. The window was highlighted by the

2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa The 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa was an international rugby union tour that took place in South Africa in July and August 2021. The British & Irish Lions, a team selected from players eligible to represent England, Ireland, Scot ...

, which included a three-test series between the Lions and

South Africa South Africa, officially the Republic of South Africa (RSA), is the southernmost country in Africa. It is bounded to the south by of coastline that stretch along the South Atlantic and Indian Oceans; to the north by the neighbouring countri ...

. Ahead of the tour, the Lions hosted their first home match since 2005, against

Japan Japan ( ja, 日本, or , and formally , ''Nihonkoku'') is an island country in East Asia. It is situated in the northwest Pacific Ocean, and is bordered on the west by the Sea of Japan, while extending from the Sea of Okhotsk in the north ...

Scotland Scotland (, ) is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Covering the northern third of the island of Great Britain, mainland Scotland has a border with England to the southeast and is otherwise surrounded by the Atlantic Ocean to the ...

, while South Africa were scheduled to host a two-test series against

Georgia Georgia most commonly refers to: * Georgia (country), a country in the Caucasus region of Eurasia * Georgia (U.S. state), a state in the Southeast United States Georgia may also refer to: Places Historical states and entities * Related to the ...

; the first time the teams had met outside the

Rugby World Cup The Rugby World Cup is a men's rugby union tournament contested every four years between the top international teams. The tournament is administered by World Rugby, the sport's international governing body. The winners are awarded the Webb E ...

. The second test of this series was cancelled. Japan went on to play

Ireland Ireland ( ; ga, Éire ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe, north-western Europe. It is separated from Great Britain to its east by the North Channel (Grea ...

. Ireland also played the

United States The United States of America (U.S.A. or USA), commonly known as the United States (U.S. or US) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It consists of 50 states, a federal district, five major unincorporated territorie ...

, having had to adapt their summer tour after their test series away to

Fiji Fiji ( , ,; fj, Viti, ; Fiji Hindi: फ़िजी, ''Fijī''), officially the Republic of Fiji, is an island country in Melanesia, part of Oceania in the South Pacific Ocean. It lies about north-northeast of New Zealand. Fiji consists ...

was cancelled. To replace Ireland's tour, Fiji traveled to New Zealand for a first ever test series against the

All Blacks The New Zealand national rugby union team, commonly known as the All Blacks ( mi, Ōpango), represents New Zealand in men's international rugby union, which is considered the country's national sport. The team won the Rugby World Cup in 1987 ...

, who also hosted

Tonga Tonga (, ; ), officially the Kingdom of Tonga ( to, Puleʻanga Fakatuʻi ʻo Tonga), is a Polynesian country and archipelago. The country has 171 islands – of which 45 are inhabited. Its total surface area is about , scattered over in ...

. Tonga began their preparation for their 2023 Rugby World Cup qualification series against

Samoa Samoa, officially the Independent State of Samoa; sm, Sāmoa, and until 1997 known as Western Samoa, is a Polynesian island country consisting of two main islands (Savai'i and Upolu); two smaller, inhabited islands (Manono Island, Manono an ...

, and Samoa used a two-match series against the

Māori All Blacks The Māori All Blacks, previously called the New Zealand Maori, New Zealand Maoris and New Zealand Natives, are a rugby union team from New Zealand. They are a representative team of the New Zealand Rugby Union, and a prerequisite for playing i ...

as their preparation. The three-test series between

Australia Australia, officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a Sovereign state, sovereign country comprising the mainland of the Australia (continent), Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous List of islands of Australia, sma ...

and

France France (), officially the French Republic ( ), is a country primarily located in Western Europe. It also comprises of Overseas France, overseas regions and territories in the Americas and the Atlantic Ocean, Atlantic, Pacific Ocean, Pac ...

was condensed to take place within 11 days, due to French club commitments and a hotel quarantine period for the France team. Australia go on to play New Zealand in the first

Bledisloe Cup The Bledisloe Cup is an annual rugby union competition originally staged between the national teams of Australia's Wallabies and New Zealand's All Blacks that has been contested since the 1930s. The frequency that the competition is held has va ...

match of the year.

England England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Wales to its west and Scotland to its north. The Irish Sea lies northwest and the Celtic Sea to the southwest. It is separated from continental Europe b ...

and

Wales Wales ( cy, Cymru ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by England to the Wales–England border, east, the Irish Sea to the north and west, the Celtic Sea to the south west and the ...

's summer tours were reversed, as England welcomed

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

and the United States, and Wales hosted

Argentina Argentina (), officially the Argentine Republic ( es, link=no, República Argentina), is a country in the southern half of South America. Argentina covers an area of , making it the second-largest country in South America after Brazil, th ...

. Wales, who were originally meant to play

Uruguay Uruguay (; ), officially the Oriental Republic of Uruguay ( es, República Oriental del Uruguay), is a country in South America. It shares borders with Argentina to its west and southwest and Brazil to its north and northeast; while bordering ...

as part of their South America tour, instead played Canada ahead of their two-test series against Argentina. Argentina also prepared for the series with a first visit to

Bucharest Bucharest ( , ; ro, București ) is the capital and largest city of Romania, as well as its cultural, industrial, and financial centre. It is located in the southeast of the country, on the banks of the Dâmbovița River, less than north of ...

since 1992 to play

Romania Romania ( ; ro, România ) is a country located at the crossroads of Central Europe, Central, Eastern Europe, Eastern, and Southeast Europe, Southeastern Europe. It borders Bulgaria to the south, Ukraine to the north, Hungary to the west, S ...

, which replaced Argentina's cancelled home game against Georgia. Romania were scheduled to face

for the first time since 2011 and Scotland were also due to play Georgia as part of their Eastern Europe tour, but both matches were cancelled. The window also contained a number of other 2023 Rugby World Cup qualification warm-ups as Uruguay played an Argentina XV, the

Cook Islands ) , image_map = Cook Islands on the globe (small islands magnified) (Polynesia centered).svg , capital = Avarua , coordinates = , largest_city = Avarua , official_languages = , lan ...

played a Tasman Mako HP XV and the New Zealand U20 team, and

Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (), officially the Republic of Zimbabwe, is a landlocked country located in Southeast Africa, between the Zambezi and Limpopo Rivers, bordered by South Africa to the south, Botswana to the south-west, Zambia to the north, and Mozam ...

played

Zambia Zambia (), officially the Republic of Zambia, is a landlocked country at the crossroads of Central Africa, Central, Southern Africa, Southern and East Africa, although it is typically referred to as being in Southern Africa at its most cent ...

. Zimbabwe were also scheduled to play

Portugal Portugal, officially the Portuguese Republic ( pt, República Portuguesa, links=yes ), is a country whose mainland is located on the Iberian Peninsula of Southwestern Europe, and whose territory also includes the Atlantic archipelagos of ...

, but the match was cancelled.

Series

Other tours

Fixtures

June

---- ---- ---- ---- ---- Notes: * The sides faced each other for the first time since 2008. ---- Notes: * Hamish Watson and

Zander Fagerson Zander James Ragnar Fagerson (born 19 January 1996) is a Scottish international rugby union player who plays for Glasgow Warriors in the United Rugby Championship. His regular playing position is Prop. Rugby union career Amateur career Fage ...

(British & Irish Lions) were named to start, but was withdrawn in the week leading up to the game due to injury and head knock. Justin Tipuric replaced Watson whilst Tadhg Furlong was promoted from the bench to replace Fagerson - Kyle Sinckler replaced Furlong on the bench. * No replacement was made for Jack Conan. *

Jack Cornelsen is an Australian-born Japanese rugby union player who plays as a Flanker. He currently plays for Panasonic Wild Knights in Japan's domestic Top League Japan Rugby League One (formerly the Top League) is a rugby union competition in Japan ...

Siosaia Fifita is a Tongan born Japanese rugby union player who plays as a Centre or Wing A wing is a type of fin that produces lift while moving through air or some other fluid. Accordingly, wings have streamlined cross-sections that are subject t ...

, Craig Millar and Naoto Saito (all Japan) made their international debuts. * Japan became the eighth test nation to play the British & Irish Lions. ----

2/3/4 July

Notes: * Giorgi Tsutskiridze (Georgia) was named to start but was injured in training ahead of the game and was replaced by

Ilia Spanderashvili Ilia Spanderashvili (born 10 September 1997) is a Georgian rugby union player. His position is flanker, and he currently plays for Penza in the Russian Rugby Championship and the Georgia national team. He was a captain of Georgia U20 in 2017, d ...

. Irakli Tskhadadze replaced Spanderashvili on the bench. *

Aphelele Fassi Aphelele Onke Okuhle Fassi (born 23 January 1998) is a South African professional rugby union player for the in the United Rugby Championship and the Currie Cup The Currie Cup is South Africa's premier domestic rugby union competition, p ...

Rosko Specman Rosko Shane Specman (born 28 April 1989) is a South African rugby union player for the in Super Rugby, the in the Currie Cup and the in the Rugby Challenge. He played rugby sevens for the South Africa national rugby sevens team between 20 ...

and

Jasper Wiese Jasper van der Westhuizen Wiese (born 21 October 1995) is a South African rugby union player who plays for Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby. He previously played for the in the Pro14, the in the Currie Cup and the in the Rug ...

(all South Africa) and Luka Japaridze (Georgia) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: * Albert Anae and

Ahsee Tuala Ahsee Tuala (born 23 August 1989) is a Samoan rugby union player who plays as a fullback for Aviva Premiership side Northampton Saints. Early career Tuala was born in Samoa, but moved to New Zealand with his family aged 2 years old and grew up ...

(Samoa) were named to start but withdrew ahead of kick off due to injury and were replaced by

Tomasi Alosio Tomasi Alosio Logotuli (born 26 January 1992) is a Samoan rugby union player who plays for in the Bunnings NPC. His position is wing or fullback. Career He was named in the Moana Pasifika squad for the 2022 Super Rugby Pacific season. He a ...

and Tietie Tuimauga. Jonah Aoina replaced Tuimauga on the bench. * This was the Māori All Blacks' 125th international match. ---- Notes: * Tau Kolomatangi (Tonga) was named as a replacement, but was replaced by Lua Li in the week leading up to the match after eligibility concerns over Kolomatangi arose surrounding a previous appearance for

Hong Kong Hong Kong ( (US) or (UK); , ), officially the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China ( abbr. Hong Kong SAR or HKSAR), is a city and special administrative region of China on the eastern Pearl River Delt ...

in 2019 possibly capturing the player to Hong Kong. *

Ethan Blackadder Ethan J. Blackadder (born 22 March 1995) is a New Zealand rugby union player who plays for in the Bunnings NPC and the in the Super Rugby competition. His position of choice is flanker. He is the son of former All Blacks player Todd Blackad ...

, George Bower, Finlay Christie and Quinn Tupaea (all New Zealand) and Walter Fifita, Nikolai Foliaki,

Solomone Funaki Solomone Funaki (born 25 April 1994) is a Tongan rugby union player, who currently plays as a loose forward for in New Zealand's domestic National Provincial Championship competition and in Super Rugby. Early life and career Funaki was bo ...

, Fine Inisi, Mateaki Kafatolu, Lua Li, Don Lolo, Harrison Mataele,

Sam Moli Samiuela Moli is a New Zealand born Tongan rugby union player who plays for the Tasman Mako in the Bunnings NPC and Moana Pasifika in Super Rugby. His position of choice is Hooker. Tasman Moli made his debut for in Round 9 of the 2017 Mitr ...

, , Hosea Saumaki, Viliami Taulani, Sione Tuipulotu (all Tonga) made their international debuts. * New Zealand equalled their highest winning margin over Tonga of 102 points, set in June 2000. * New Zealand scored more than 100 points in a game for the sixth time. ---- Notes: *

Kazuki Himeno is a Japanese international rugby union player who plays as a Loose Forward or Lock. He currently plays for the Highlanders in Super Rugby and Toyota Verblitz in Japan's domestic Top League Japan Rugby League One (formerly the Top Lea ...

(Japan) was named to start but withdrew ahead of game day and was replaced by

Tevita Tatafu is a Japanese rugby union player who plays as a Flanker or Number 8. He currently plays for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan's domestic Top League. International Tatafu was called-up to his country's wider training squad in April 2021, ahead of ...

Amanaki Mafi Amanaki Lelei Mafi (born 11 January 1990) is a Tongan-born, Japanese professional rugby union player who currently plays as a number 8 for the Japanese Sunwolves, Japan national rugby union team and the Bath Rugby Union team for a short period ...

replaced Tatafu on the bench. *

Gavin Coombes Gavin Coombes (born 11 December 1997) is an Irish rugby union player for United Rugby Championship and European Rugby Champions Cup side Munster. Coombes made his international debut for Ireland in 2021. He plays primarily as a number 8, but ...

(Ireland) and

Shane Gates Shane Edward Gates (born 27 September 1992) is a South African-born Japanese professional rugby union player, currently playing in the Japanese Top League with NTT Communications Shining Arcs. His usual position is fly-half or inside centre. ...

and

Semisi Masirewa Semisi Masirewa (born 9 June 1992) is a rugby union player who played as an outside back for the in the international Super Rugby competition. He previously played Super Rugby for the as well as for and in New Zealand's Mitre 10 Cup. Care ...

(both Japan) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: *

Leigh Halfpenny Stephen Leigh Halfpenny (born 22 December 1988) is a Welsh rugby union player who plays as a fullback or wing for the Scarlets, Wales and the British & Irish Lions. Halfpenny is the third highest points scorer for Wales after Neil Jenkins and ...

(Wales) earned his 100th international cap (96 for Wales, 4 for the

British & Irish Lions The British & Irish Lions is a rugby union team selected from players eligible for the national teams of England, Ireland, Scotland, and Wales. The Lions are a test side and most often select players who have already played for their national ...

). * Taine Basham, Ben Carter, Tom Rogers, Ben Thomas and Gareth Thomas (all Wales) and Ross Braude,

Don Carson Donald Arthur Carson (born December 21, 1946) is an evangelical biblical scholar. He is a Distinguished Emeritus Professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School and president and co-founder of the Gospel Coalition. He has written ...

Cooper Coats Cooper Coats (born 6 October 1996) is a Canadian rugby union and sevens player, who plays for the Canada Sevens national team and Halifax Tars RFC. Career He began playing rugby at 16 years old at Citadel High School, he was an originally a fo ...

Quinn Ngawati Quinn Ngawati (born 15 June 1999) is a Canadian rugby union player currently playing for Rugby New York (Ironworkers) of Major League Rugby (MLR) in the U.S. He formerly represented the Toronto Wolfpack in the Betfred Super League, becoming ...

Tyler Rowland Tyler Rowland (born 16 October 1999) is a Canadian rugby union player, currently playing for the Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the Canadian national team. His preferred position is prop. Professional career Rowland signed for M ...

, Michael Smith,

Siaki Vikilani Siaki Vikilani (born 7 August 2000) is a Canadian rugby union player, currently playing for the Toronto Arrows of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the Canadian national team. His preferred position is flanker or number 8. Professional career Vik ...

(all Canada) made their international debuts. ---- ---- Notes: *

Emiliano Boffelli Emiliano Boffelli (born 16 January 1995) is an Argentine rugby union player who plays as a utility back for Edinburgh Rugby in the United Rugby Championship. He previously played for the in the international Super Rugby competition and als ...

(Argentina) had been named to start but withdrew in the week leading up to the game; Santiago Cordero moved from the wing to fullback with

Bautista Delguy Bautista Delguy (born 22 April 1997) is an Argentine rugby union player who plays for the Argentina national team and ASM Clermont Auvergne in the French Top 14. His playing position is Wing. Delguy's professional debut came against the Lions ...

joining the starting XV on the wing. Juan Cruz Mallía replaced Delguy on the bench. * Florian Roșu (Romania) and

Juan Martín González Juan Martín González Samso (born 14 November 2000) is an Argentine professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Premiership Rugby club Saracens and the Argentina national team. Club career González signed for Súper Liga ...

(Argentina) made their international debuts. * Argentina retained the Latin Cup. ---- Notes: * Will Hooley (United States) had been named to start but withdrew ahead of the game due to injury;

Marcel Brache Marcel Girard Brache (born 15 October 1987) is an American rugby union player. Brache was born in Los Angeles, California and was raised primarily in South Africa. He currently plays for the Austin Gilgronis of Major League Rugby (MLR), generall ...

moved from centre to fullback to replace him and Calvin Whiting moved from the bench to centre. Christian Dyer replaced Whiting on the bench. *

Lewis Ludlow Lewis Ludlow (born 11 September 1994) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a Flanker (rugby union), flanker for Gloucester Rugby, Gloucester. Club career Ludlow joined the academy of Gloucester Rugby at the age of 17. In N ...

became the fifth player to captain England on debut and the first man since

Nigel Melville Nigel David Melville (born 6 January 1961) is a former England national rugby union team scrum half and captain and currently serves as Director of Professional Rugby for Rugby Football Union. Melville became the youngest player to captain E ...

in 1984. *

Jamie Blamire Jamie Blamire (born 22 December 1997) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Newcastle Falcons in Premiership Rugby. Early life Blamire was born in Seaton, Cumbria to parents Graeme, a conservatory builder and ...

, Callum Chick,

Ben Curry Ben Curry (born in Hounslow, England) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a flanker for Sale Sharks in Premiership Rugby. Club career Curry made his professional debut against Wasps on 4 November 2016 in the Anglo- ...

, Trevor Davison, Joe Heyes,

Curtis Langdon Curtis John Langdon (born 3 August 1997) is an English professional rugby union player who plays at hooker. He recently played for Worcester Warriors in Premiership Rugby but his contract was terminated along with every other Warriors player o ...

Josh McNally Joshua James McNally (born 21 August 1990) is an English rugby union lock (rugby union), lock for Bath Rugby in the Premiership Rugby, England's top division of rugby union. He is also a Royal Air Force weapons technician and has been in the RA ...

, Harry Randall, Marcus Smith, Freddie Steward and Jacob Umaga (all England) and Michael Baska, Luke Carty, Christian Dyer, Matt Harmon,

Riekert Hattingh Riekert Hattingh (born 5 March 1994) is a United States rugby union player, currently playing for the Seattle Seawolves of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States national team. His preferred position is flanker or number 8. Professio ...

and Mika Kruse (all United States) made their international debuts. * The United States made their highest score against England, surpassing the previous highest of 19 scored in 2001. ----

7 July

---- Notes: * Florent Vanverberghe (France) had been named on the bench, but withdrew the day before the game due to injury and was replaced by Cyril Cazeaux. * Andrew Kellaway Lachlan Lonergan and

Darcy Swain Darcy Taimua Swain (born 5 July 1997) is an Australian rugby union player who plays for the in the Super Rugby. His position of choice is lock. Debuting for the Australian National Rugby Team in 2021 in the series against France, he was bro ...

(all Australia) and Gaëtan Barlot, Anthony Étrillard, Sipili Falatea, Teddy Iribaren,

Melvyn Jaminet Melvyn Jaminet (born 30 June 1999) is a French rugby union player who plays for Stade Toulousain in the Top 14 and the France national team. Biography Melvyn Jaminet was called by Fabien Galthié to the French national team for the first time ...

and

Quentin Walcker Quentin Walcker (born 21 February 1996 in France) is a French rugby union player who plays for in the Top 14. His playing position is prop. Walcker signed for in 2021, following five seasons at . He made his debut for France in the 2021 July r ...

(all France) made their international debuts.

9/10 July

---- Notes: * Ethan de Groot (New Zealand) and Eneriko Buliruarua, Manasa Mataele and

Peniami Narisia Peniami Narisia (born 10 June 1997 in Fiji) is a Fijian rugby union player who plays for in the Top 14. His playing position is Hooker (rugby union), hooker. Narisia has played for Brive since 2015. He made his debut for Fiji national rugby un ...

(all Fiji) made their international debuts. ---- Notes: * This is the first draw between these two nations in 19 meetings. ---- Notes: *

Alex Dombrandt Alex Joseph Dombrandt (born 29 April 1997) is an English professional rugby union player for Harlequins in Premiership Rugby. His primary position is Number 8. Early years and education Dombrandt began playing rugby at the age of six for War ...

, Dan Kelly, Adam Radwan and Harry Wells (all England) and Lockie Kratz,

Liam Murray Liam Murray (born 17 October 1997) is a Canadian rugby union player, currently playing for the Dallas Jackals of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the Canadian national team. His preferred position is prop. Professional career Murray signed for Maj ...

and Corey Thomas (all Canada) made their international debuts. * England's opening try was their quickest test try since

Jonathan Webb Jonathan Mark Webb (born 24 August 1963 in London, England) is a specialist knee surgeon and former English rugby union fullback. Webb played for the England national team from 1987 to 1993, reaching the 1991 World Cup Final and winning two F ...

scored in 23 seconds vs

at Twickenham in 1992. * Adam Radwan became the sixth English player to score a hat trick on test debut, the last was

Jeremy Guscott Jeremy Clayton Guscott (born 7 July 1965) is a British former rugby union outside centre who played for Bath, England and the British and Irish Lions. He also appeared for England on the wing. Guscott was born in Bath, Somerset, one of the tw ...

against

in 1989. *

became the second English hooker to score a test hat trick after

Jamie George Jamie Edward George (born 20 October 1990) is an English professional rugby union player who plays as a hooker for Premiership Rugby club Saracens and the England national team. Early life George played for local team Hertford Rugby Foo ...

became the first against

during the

Autumn Nations Cup The Autumn Nations Cup was a rugby union competition held in November and December 2020 in place of the usual Autumn internationals series typically held in the same period each year, as many teams were avoiding extended travel due to the COVID- ...

. ---- ---- Notes: *

Robert Baloucoune Robert Baloucoune (born 19 August 1997) is an Irish rugby union player who plays on the wing for United Rugby Championship and European Champions Cup side Ulster, and internationally for Ireland Early career Baloucoune was born in Enniskille ...

, Caolin Blade,

Paul Boyle Paul Joseph Boyle, (born 16 November 1964) is a British geographer, academic, and academic administrator. He was the Vice-Chancellor of the University of Leicester between 2014 and 2019. He had been Professor of Human Geography at the Universit ...

Harry Byrne Harry Byrne (born 22 April 1999) is an Irish rugby union player who is currently a member of the Leinster academy. He plays as a fly-half and represents Lansdowne in the All-Ireland League. Leinster Whilst still in Leinster's academy, Byrne w ...

, James Hume, Tom O'Toole,

Nick Timoney Nick Timoney (born 1 August 1995) is an Irish rugby union player, who plays in the back row for Ulster and Ireland. He is regarded as a "hybrid" player, an athletic forward with the pace of a back.Fineen Wycherley (all Ireland) and

Andrew Guerra Andrew Guerra (born 25 February 1998) is an American rugby union player, currently playing for the New Orleans Gold of Major League Rugby (MLR) and the United States national team. His preferred position is flanker. Professional career Guerra ...

(United States) made their international debuts. * Ronan Kelleher became the fourth Irish player to score four tries in a test match. * Ireland registered their largest home win against the United States.

13 July

Notes: * Len Ikitau (Australia) and Pierre-Henri Azagoh, Ibrahim Diallo, Enzo Forletta and

Wilfrid Hounkpatin Wilfrid Hounkpatin (born 29 July 1991) is a French rugby union player. His position is prop and he currently plays for Castres in the Top 14 The Top 14 () is a professional rugby union club competition that is played in France. Created in 1 ...

(all France) made their international debuts. * France win in Australia for the first time since their 28–19 victory in Sydney in the final test of their 1990 tour.

17 July

---- Notes: *

Dane Coles Dane or Danes may refer to: People Pertaining to Denmark * Dane, somebody from Denmark * Danes, an ethnic group native to Denmark * Danes (Germanic tribe) Other people * Dane (name), a surname and a given name (and a list of people with the nam ...

(New Zealand) was named on the bench but was withdrawn due to injury and replaced by Samisoni Taukei'aho. * Samisoni Taukei'aho (New Zealand) and

Kitione Kamikamica Kitione Kamikamica (born 27 April 1996 in Fiji) is a Fijian rugby union player who plays for in the Top 14. His playing position is Flanker (rugby union), flanker. Kamikamica signed for in 2019, having previously represented and . He made hi ...

Moses Sorovi Moses Sorovi (born 15 January 1996) is an Australian rugby union player who plays as a Scrum-half for the Super Rugby team the . He has also represented Australia at Schoolboy's level. Sorovi played 7 games in the 2020 Super Rugby AU season, ...

and Teti Tela (all Fiji) made their international debut. * Ardie Savea and

Anton Lienert-Brown Anton Russell Lienert-Brown (born 15 April 1995) is a New Zealand Rugby Union, rugby union player who currently plays as a Centre (rugby union), second five-eighth or Centre (rugby union), Centre for the in Super Rugby, and in the Mitre 10 Cu ...

(New Zealand) earned their 50th test cap. ---- Notes: * Cyril Cazeaux (France) was named to start but withdrew ahead of the game and was replaced by Pierre-Henri Azagoh.

Baptiste Pesenti Baptiste Pesenti (born 3 July 1997) is a French rugby union player. His position is lock or flanker and he currently plays for Stade Français in the French Top 14. In 2020, Pesenti was selected on several occasions by Fabien Galthié for the F ...

replaced Azagoh on the bench. * Alexandre Bécognée, Antoine Hastoy and Julien Hériteau (all France) made their international debuts. * Australia retained the

Trophée des Bicentenaires To celebrate the bi-centenaries of the First Fleet and of the French Revolution, in 1988 and 1989 respectively, the French Rugby Union donated the Trophée des Bicentenaires (, "Trophy of the Bicentenaries") to be played in perpetuity between th ...

. * Australia win a home test-series for the first time since France last toured to Australia in

2014 File:2014 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Stocking up supplies and personal protective equipment (PPE) for the Western African Ebola virus epidemic; Citizens examining the ruins after the Chibok schoolgirls kidnapping; Bundles of wat ...

. ---- ---- Notes: * Matthew Screech (Wales) made his international debut. *

Matías Moroni Matías Moroni (born 29 March 1991) is an Argentine professional rugby union player who plays as a centre for Premiership Rugby club Newcastle Falcons and the Argentina national team. Club career Moroni played his youth in Los Molinos and th ...

(Argentina) earned his 50th test cap. * This was Argentina's first win over Wales since their 26–12 victory in 2012, the last time they won in Wales. * Argentina win a test series for the first time since their 2-0 series win against

2007 File:2007 Events Collage.png, From top left, clockwise: Steve Jobs unveils Apple's first iPhone; TAM Airlines Flight 3054 overruns a runway and crashes into a gas station, killing almost 200 people; Former Pakistani Prime Minister of Pakistan, Pr ...

. * Argentina record their biggest winning margin over Wales (22-point difference), surpassing the 18-point difference set in 2006. * This is the most points Argentina have scored against Wales when away from Argentina. ----

24 July

Notes: * Wyn Jones (British & Irish Lions) was named to start but withdrew ahead of the game due to injury and was replaced by Rory Sutherland -

Mako Vunipola Mako Vunipola (born 14 January 1991) is a professional rugby union player who plays as a loosehead prop for English club Saracens and the England national team. Born in New Zealand to Tongan parents, he qualified for England through residenc ...

came onto the bench. *

Tadhg Beirne Tadhg Gerard Beirne (; born 8 January 1992) is an Irish rugby union player, currently playing for Munster in the United Rugby Championship and the European Rugby Champions Cup. His primary playing position is lock, but can also play in the b ...

, Dan Biggar, Tom Curry, Jack Conan,

Luke Cowan-Dickie Luke Anthony Cowan-Dickie (born 20 June 1993) is an English professional rugby union player for Exeter Chiefs in the English Premiership. He plays primarily as a hooker but can also play prop. Club career Cowan-Dickie has previously been dual- ...

Robbie Henshaw Robbie Henshaw (born 12 June 1993) is an Irish rugby union player. He plays primarily as a centre, although he can also play fullback. Henshaw currently plays for Irish provincial team Leinster in the United Rugby Championship, and internatio ...

Stuart Hogg Stuart Hogg (born 24 June 1992) is a Scottish rugby union player who plays for Exeter Chiefs in the English Premiership and used to captain the Scottish national team. His playing positions are fullback and fly-half. Hogg has twice been nam ...

Ali Price Alistair William Price (born 12 May 1993) is a Scotland international rugby union player who plays as a scrum-half for Glasgow Warriors. Early life and education Price was born on 12 May 1993 in King's Lynn, Norfolk, England. He was educated ...

, Rory Sutherland,

Duhan van der Merwe Duhan van der Merwe (born ) is a South African-born Scottish rugby union player who currently plays for Edinburgh Rugby in the United Rugby Championship. Schoolboy rugby Van der Merwe was born and grew up in George in the Western Cape provinc ...

and Hamish Watson all made their Lions test debuts. *

Handré Pollard Handré Pollard (born 11 March 1994) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby. His regular playing positions are fly-half, where ...

(South Africa) earned his 50th test cap.

31 July

Notes: *

Steven Kitshoff Steven Kitshoff (born 10 February 1992) is a South African rugby union rugby player. His playing position is loosehead prop. He represents the South Africa national team and the in the United Rugby Championship and previously Super Rugby, and ...

(South Africa) earned his 50th test cap. * Chris Harris (British & Irish Lions) made his Lions test debut.

7 August

Notes: * Scott Barrett and

(New Zealand) were named as replacements but were injured in the warm-up and were replaced by Patrick Tuipulotu and Samisoni Taukei'aho respectively. * Aaron Smith became the tenth All Black player to earn his 100th test cap. ---- Notes: *

Damian de Allende Damian de Allende (born 25 November 1991) is a South African professional rugby union player who currently plays for the South Africa national team and Japanese club Saitama Wild Knights. His usual position is either centre or wing. He was a ...

(South Africa) earned his 50th test cap. * Josh Adams, Bundee Aki, Adam Beard, Wyn Jones,

Finn Russell Finn Alastair Russell (born 23 September 1992) is a Scottish professional rugby union player who primarily plays fly-half for Racing 92 in the Top 14. He has also represented Scotland at international level, having made his test debut against t ...

and Sam Simmonds all made their Lions test debuts.

Notes

References

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2021 File:2021 collage V2.png, From top left, clockwise: the James Webb Space Telescope was launched in 2021; Protesters in Yangon, Myanmar following the 2021 Myanmar coup d'état, coup d'état; A civil demonstration against the October–November 2021 ...

2021 in North American rugby union July rugby union tests 2020–21 in English rugby union