Premier League stadium set to host England Test this summer in Nations Championship

England are currently competing in the Six Nations, but following defeats to Scotland and Ireland, attention may now shift to their inaugural Nations Championship campaign this summer.

Steve Borthwick’s side are set to face South Africa, Fiji and Argentina in the summer, with two of these games being away fixtures.

England will kick off their campaign against the World Champions in Johannesburg’s Ellis Park before returning to home soil to face the Fijians in Everton’s Hill Dickinson Stadium on July 11, before travelling to Argentina for their final clash.

Everton moved to the Hill Dickinson Stadium from Goodison Park this season, but their home form has been less than spectacular. The Toffees have won just five of 15 matches at their new home, with their last coming against Nottingham Forest in December.

So, there will be some hope that the Fijians can bring their famous creative and adventurous style of play to the venue to get fans off their seats when they play England.

Fiji are set to play their first three fixtures of the Nations Championship in the United Kingdom. The matches are technically home matches for the Flying Fijians, despite not taking place on home soil due to travel logistics and facilities.

So, when the Pacific nation squares off against Wales in their opener, it will take place in the Cardiff City Stadium on July 4, before a trip to Merseyside to face England, followed by a short trip north of Hadrian’s Wall to square off against Scotland at Murrayfield.

Fiji fans will be disappointed that they don’t get to see the traditional giants of rugby come to their country to square off in this new competition, but the team will aim to do them proud.

England and Fiji’s clash will be the first ever rugby match to take place in the Hill Dickinson Stadium, with the CEO of Fiji Rugby Union, Mr Koli Sewabu, excited by this prospect.

He said: “As this constitutes a home match away from Fiji, we will be bringing Fiji to you – and ensuring that you will feel a very different atmosphere – with the tropics, fun and sun, and spectacular free-flowing rugby.

“It’s an exciting opportunity to play in a fantastic stadium, and we know we will be well supported.

“It’s also a great opportunity to raise the profile of Fijian rugby, showcase our culture, and connect with our diaspora and fans from the Northern Hemisphere. The success of these fixtures will enable us to invest more into grassroots rugby, supporting the continued growth and success of the team.”