ReportGeneralPlanet Rugby · Rugby365 · Springboks.Rugby (Official)16 Jun· updated 16 Jun

Nations Championship trophy unveiled ahead of July 4 kick-off

The Nations Championship trophy has been unveiled — 67cm tall, 15kg, centred on a gold-plated globe — ahead of the tournament's July 4 kick-off, with 12 nations competing across two North-versus-South windows before a Finals Weekend.

The trophy for the inaugural Nations Championship has been revealed, standing 67cm tall and weighing 15kg. The design centres on a gold-plated globe, with handles referencing lines of latitude and longitude to reflect the tournament's defining North-versus-South concept.

The competition brings together 12 nations — the Six Nations sides representing the Northern Hemisphere against the SANZAAR nations plus Fiji and Japan for the Southern Hemisphere. Each team plays six cross-hemisphere fixtures across two windows in July and November, with group standings determining Finals Weekend matchups. The top-ranked team from each group meets in the climactic Sunday final for the title.

SANZAAR CEO Brendan Morris confirmed the tournament opens in the Southern Hemisphere on July 4. Six Nations CEO Tom Harrison described the Nations Championship as "a catalyst of growth for a sport that is ready to go truly global."

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