Why the Wallabies’ 2025 Test schedule is one of the most difficult of all time

Joe Schmidt’s replacement as Wallabies coach will be tasked with a monumental challenge, as Australia is set for one of the toughest Test draws of all time. JAMIE PANDARAM with the analysis.

If the Wallabies lose the British & Irish Lions series, they’ll have the chance to inflict some revenge after it was revealed their end of year tour will include Tests against England and Ireland.

The bulk of the touring Lions squad that will arrive on these shores in June is expected to be made up of English and Irish players, while the Lions will be led by Ireland’s head coach Andy Farrell.

The confirmation of the Wallabies’ full 2025 schedule now makes this year one of the most difficult Test draws in Australian rugby history; three Tests against the Lions, two away Tests to world champions South Africa, a Bledisloe Cup match at the graveyard of Eden Park, and away games against three of the northern hemisphere’s top-ranked teams.

The 2025 schedule will be tough for the Wallabies. Picture: David Rogers/Getty Images

Their spring tour will feature Tests against second-ranked Ireland, fourth-ranked France and sixth-ranked England, as well as a game against Italy. The last time they travelled to Italy they suffered a shock 28-27 loss to the Azzurri in 2022 that eventually led to the sacking of head coach Dave Rennie before the 2023 World Cup.

They’ll start underdogs in all of those games besides Italy.

The Wallabies must win the bulk of these games to boost their rankings, with the crucial 2027 World Cup draw to be conducted after the spring tour.

Australia is eighth in the rankings now. The lower they are, the more likely they’ll be paired with top-ranked opponents in their pool, and the harder their path will be in the playoffs of their own home tournament.

Having already booked in a grudge match against Eddie Jones’ Japan to begin their northern tour in October, the Wallabies will then face England, Italy, Ireland and finally France to finish their season.

Wallabies coach Joe Schmidt will step down as head coach following The Rugby Championship, meaning his replacement will take over for those final five crucial games. A replacement is expected to be named in coming weeks, with Queensland’s Les Kiss and NSW’s Dan McKellar leading the race.

Wallabies fans will relish another clash at Twickenham, where the Wallabies engineered one of their finest win of recent times of last year’s spring tour, with Max Jorgensen scoring the winning try three minutes after the siren.

The Wallabies won in the Autumn Nations Series in 2024. Picture: Adrian Dennis / AFP

“Last year’s Autumn Nations Series captured the imagination of Australian fans on account of the Wallabies’ strong performances and we are looking forward to another competitive northern hemisphere tour in 2025,” Rugby Australia chief Phil Waugh said.

“The opening Test against England will be a must-watch event coming just 12 months after Max Jorgensen’s unforgettable 83rd minute matchwinning try in the corner at Twickenham.

“That match will be followed by Tests against Italy, Ireland and France, all of which will no doubt be fiercely competitive and cap a remarkable 15-Test campaign for the Wallabies in 2025.

“All teams now have an eye on the Rugby World Cup in Australia in 2027 and the Wallabies are very much looking forward to testing themselves against the best the northern hemisphere has to offer later this year.”

Originally published as Why the Wallabies’ 2025 Test schedule is one of the most difficult of all time