The 2021 mid-year rugby union internationals (also known as the summer internationals in the Northern Hemisphere) were a series of international rugby union matches. Due to ongoing restrictions around the world due to the COVID-19 pandemic, a number of matches were cancelled, and some series moved 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.[1]
The window was highlighted by the 2021 British & Irish Lions tour to South Africa, which included a three-test series between the Lions and South Africa. Ahead of the tour, the Lions hosted their first home match since 2005, against Japan in Scotland, while South Africa were scheduled to host a two-test series against Georgia; the first time the teams had met outside the Rugby World Cup. The second test of this series was cancelled. Japan went on to play Ireland. Ireland also played the United States, having had to adapt their summer tour after their test series away to Fiji was cancelled.[2] To replace Ireland's tour, Fiji traveled to New Zealand for a first ever test series against the All Blacks, who also hosted Tonga. Tonga began their preparation for their 2023 Rugby World Cup qualification series against Samoa, and Samoa used a two-match series against the Māori All Blacks as their preparation. The three-test series between Australia and France was condensed to take place within 11 days, due to French club commitments and a hotel quarantine period for the France team.[3] Australia go on to play New Zealand in the first Bledisloe Cup match of the year.
England and Wales's summer tours were reversed, as England welcomed Canada and the United States, and Wales hosted Argentina. Wales, who were originally meant to play Uruguay 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 since 1992 to play Romania, which replaced Argentina's cancelled home game against Georgia. Romania were scheduled to face Scotland 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.
Hamish Watson and Zander Fagerson (British & Irish Lions) were named to start, but was withdrawn in the week leading up to the game due to injury and head knock.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.[10][11]
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 in 2019 possibly capturing the player to Hong Kong.[18]
Emiliano Boffelli (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 joining the starting XV on the wing. Juan Cruz Mallía replaced Delguy on the bench.
Will Hooley (United States) had been named to start but withdrew ahead of the game due to injury; Marcel Brache 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 became the fifth player to captain England on debut and the first man since Nigel Melville in 1984.
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 came onto the bench.
^Swapped appointments with Paul Williams (Samoa v Tonga) after travel restrictions changed between Australia and New Zealand and Williams was unable to travel to Australia.
^Match was called off following 12 positive COVID-19 cases in the South African camp and a further 4 in the Georgian team.[25]
^Replaces Nic Berry after travel restrictions meant Berry was unable to travel to New Zealand.[26]
^Although held in Cardiff, the game was listed as a home game for Argentina.[27]