Rugby mid-year Tests What's new for the top 10 this July

Sam Bruce is the Deputy Editor of espn.com.au. Tom Hamilton is a senior writer at ESPN. The Rugby World Cup is taking place in France next year. World Rugby's Test window brings the northern and southern hemispheres together.

Sam Bruce is Deputy Editor at espn.com.au. Tom Hamilton is a senior writer at ESPN. He covered two Olympics, a pair of Rugby World Cups and two British & Irish Lions tours.

The Six Nations is in good shape. World Rugby's top 10 are ranked according to their ability to win series.

Michael Cheika will take over as head coach of Los Pumas from Mario Ledesma. Cheikas had previously said he could never coach against Australia. Pablo Matera will bring his championship-winning experience with the Crusaders into the camp. Agustin Creevy returns to the squad after two years in exile. The Pums played all their Test rugby on the road the past two seasons.

Dave Rennie's team lost three straight Tests to England last year. Quade Cooper and Samu Kerevi were injured. The duo is expected to play 10-12 in the opening Test and beyond. Australia has a settled midfield, Angus Bell and Darcy Swain at loosehead and lock, and the world-class Michael Hooper and Rob Valetini in back-row. Hooker and fullback are troublesome positions.

England are playing rugby in Australia from July 2 to July 9. They play a series of mid-year tests against Australia. Several key players are absent, but there are some opportunities for new players and some for old. Eddie Jones is trying to emulate their 3-0 series win from back in 2016. He has several issues to solve, including the attack, defence and midfield. He will probably call up Billy Vunipola and Danny Care.

Grand Slam champions France are travelling to Japan for their two-Test series. Fabien Galthie and Raphael Ibanez will travel with a squad that impressed in the Barbarians game. Charles Ollivon will captain the team. Laurent Labit and Shaun Edwards tested positive for COVID.

France will play Brave Blossoms in Tokyo on July 2 and July 9. Brave blossom have already won their two mid-year internationals against Uruguay. Jamie Joseph is well into his second World Cup cycle at the helm of Japan. The Braveblossons have played only sparing Tests the past two years.

Tests are on July 2 (Auckland), July 9 (Dunedin), and July 16 (Wellington).

Ireland are preparing for their tour of New Zealand. They play Maori All Blacks on June 29 and July 12. Johnny Sexton will captain the team. Andy Farrell has already laid out the expectations for the group. They are looking to build on their successful Six Nations campaign. The closest they came to a win on New Zealander soil was in 2012.

David Havili, Jack Goodhue, Will Jordan and Richie Mo'unga are out of the All Blacks' squad for the series with Ireland. The All Black's backline is already weakened. Richie's absence means the selectors will have to make tough decisions at fly-half and in the back row. Folau Fakatava is one of six uncapped players in New Zealand's 36-man squad.

Scotland's A team beat Chile on Saturday. Gregor Townsend's squad is preparing for a three-Test series against Argentina. Stuart Hogg and Finn Russell are rested. Jamie Ritchie is injured. Grant Gilchrist captains the side. Scotland are ranked 7th in the world. They are preparing to play Argentina on July 2, July 9 and July 16.

South Africa play Wales in three mid-year Tests on July 2, 9 and 16. Pieter-Steph du Toit is injured and Duane Vermeulen is out injured. The Boks finished third in the Rugby Championship and were beaten by England in November. They have options in their squad to replace him. They also have the likes of Jasper Wiese, Kwagga Smith, Franco Mostert, Rynhardt Elstadt and the uncapped Elrigh Louw.

Wales are going on tour to South Africa. They lost to Italy in the Six Nations last year. Dan Biggar will captain the team. Wales finished fifth in Six nations. Adam Beard believes Wales thrive under underdog situations. Dan Lydiate and George North are back in their squad. Alun Wyn Jones is included. Dewi Lake and James Ratti are uncapped. Tommy Reffell is also included in 34-man party.