In International rugby union history there have been a number of notable rivalries. This list reflects some of the great rivalries.
For the purpose of this article only, the criteria for inclusion are (all must be met): The two teams must have played each other at least 35 times. Both teams must at least be a tier-one or tier-two rugby nation. The two teams must have had their first match played in 1980 or earlier.
RivalryPeriod MeetingsOverall Head to Head Most WinsName of TrophyRefAustralia–New Zealand1903–181128–45 (8 draws)Bledisloe CupEngland–Scotland1871–14477–48 (19 draws)Calcutta CupEngland–Ireland1875–14481–55 (8 draws)Millennium TrophyIreland–Scotland1877–14473–66 (5 draws)Centenary QuaichEngland–Wales1881–14471–61 (12 draws)Ireland–Wales1882–13770–60 (7 draws)Scotland–Wales1883–13275–54 (3 draws)Doddie Weir CupEngland–France1906–11361–45 (7 draws)New Zealand–South Africa 1921–11164–43 (4 draws)Freedom CupFrance–Wales1908–10552–51 (3 draws)France–Ireland1909–10561–37 (7 draws)France–Scotland1910–10561–41 (3 draws)Auld Alliance TrophyAustralia–South Africa1933–9753–41 (3 draws)Mandela Challenge Plate Fiji–Tonga1924–9666–27 (3 draws)Samoa–Tonga1926–7139–28 (4 draws)Canada–United States1977–6740–25 (2 draws)France–New Zealand1906–6752–15 (1 draw)Dave Gallaher TrophyChile–Uruguay1948–5743–13 (1 draw)Australia–England1909–5729–27 (1 draw)Ella–Mobbs TrophyFiji–Samoa1924–5733–21 (3 draws)Argentina–France1949–5640–15 (1 draw)Australia–France1928–5329–23 (2 draws)Trophée des BicentenairesFrance–Romania1924–20155141–8 (2 draws)France–Italy1937–5147–3 (1 draw)Australia–Wales1908–4934–14 (1 draw)James Bevan TrophyEngland–New Zealand1905–4736–9 (2 draws) Hillary ShieldEngland–South Africa1906–4730–16 (2 draws)France–South Africa1913–4729–12 (6 draws)Italy–Romania1936–4425–16 (3 draws)South Africa–Wales1906–4437–7 (1 draw)Spain–Portugal1935–4327–14 (2 draws)Australia–Argentina1979–4230–10 (3 draws)Puma TrophyIreland–New Zealand1905–3934–5 (1 draw)Australia–Ireland1927–3922–17 (1 draw)Lansdowne CupAustralia–Scotland1927–3522–13Hopetoun Cup
See also Rugby union trophies and awards List of rugby union competitions
References