England and Scotland's Contrasting July in the Nations Championship

With the All Blacks set to tour the northern hemisphere in November, their three opponents have spent July testing themselves in the new Nations Championship, and the early form makes for interesting reading back home in Aotearoa.

England, who host the All Blacks in London on 21 November, endured a chastening start. ESPN reported that South Africa raced to a 17-0 lead inside 10 minutes at Ellis Park before running out 45-21 winners on 4 July, a fifth straight Test defeat for Steve Borthwick's side. The response, though, was emphatic. A week later England thrashed Fiji 73-8 in Liverpool, with Sky Sports noting that Henry Pollock completed a second-half hat-trick to seal England's biggest ever win over the Pacific islanders. ESPN added that the hosts crossed for 11 tries against a 14-man Fiji side to snap that losing run.

Scotland, first up for the All Blacks at Murrayfield on 7 November, again pushed South Africa hard without finding the finish. Sky Sports reported that the Scots recovered from 14-0 down to level by halftime in Pretoria before the world champions pulled clear to win 42-28. Captain Sione Tuipulotu summed up the mood, telling Sky Sports his side "played a positive brand of rugby but it wasn't good enough today."

Round three has left the northern group tightly bunched. The RugbyPass standings show France, Scotland and England all on two wins and one defeat, with France top on points difference and Scotland edging England into second. Wales, who meet the All Blacks in Cardiff on 14 November, complete the trio of northern hosts still building towards the tour.

For New Zealand fans, the picture is taking shape. The All Blacks' official fixtures confirm the November tour opens against Scotland at Murrayfield on 7 November, continues against Wales at the Principality Stadium on 14 November and finishes against England in London on 21 November. On this evidence the All Blacks will meet an England side capable of both extremes, a Scotland outfit growing in belief, and a Welsh team with plenty still to prove. It promises to be a fascinating end to the year for Ian Foster's successors and their supporters.