Spain and Portugal face South American tests in Nations Cup
Chile face both Spain and Portugal in November's Nations Cup
©Photo by Marcelo Hernandez - World Rugby/World Rugby via Getty Images
Spain and Portugal return to action this weekend as the Nations Cup resumes, with four fixtures against South American opposition set to shape the competition’s closing weeks.
The two Iberian sides have made encouraging starts. Portugal sit second in Pool B with two wins from three, while Spain are third after recording one win, one draw and one defeat.
Chile are second in Pool A, also with two wins, while Uruguay are still searching for their first victory.
Spain begin against Uruguay in Madrid on Saturday, then host Chile in Leganés a week later. They, like Portugal, also play Samoa before the end of the month.
Portugal open at home to Chile in Lisbon, before meeting Uruguay at the same venue on 21 November. Each side has two chances to measure itself against South American opposition before the tournament concludes.
Spain’s July campaign showed their attacking potential, but also how fine the margins can be. They drew 42-42 with Canada, beat Tonga 32-19 and lost 29-22 to the USA.
Uruguay have had a frustrating first half: a 36-36 draw with Romania was followed by two defeats, including a dramatic 42-40 loss to Hong Kong China. Los Teros remain dangerous around the breakdown and with their driving maul, but Spain will see a home fixture as an opportunity to make a statement.
There is a strong French-club thread running through both squads, an angle familiar from our Top 14 and Pro D2 coverage.
Portugal centre Rodrigo Marta and Spain captain Jon Zabala are both with Pau, while Spain’s Joel Merkler won the Top 14 with Toulouse last season.
Those links show how French rugby’s professional environment is contributing to the growth of Iberian internationals. Our Pro D2 coverage has also followed how demanding weekly competition can create routes and opportunities for players beyond the elite spotlight.
Spain’s first match is also a return to Madrid’s Estadio Nacional de la Universidad Complutense. Coach Pablo Bouza has named a 33-player working group, with Zabala back to lead the pack. A strong opening against Uruguay would give Los Leones momentum before the challenge of Chile.
Chile arrive in Lisbon with two July wins: 48-31 against Romania and 38-17 over Hong Kong China. Their 49-22 defeat to Georgia showed the challenge of facing a powerful pack, but Los Cóndores have proved they can score and punish defensive lapses. Portugal will need accuracy and discipline at Estádio do Restelo.
Os Lobos can draw confidence from their own July performances, including a 38-14 win over Canada and a hard-fought 32-28 result against Tonga.
Their final match against Uruguay could be especially compelling: both sides have ambitions to finish the tournament strongly, and Portugal will want to turn home advantage into another meaningful result.
These meetings offer more than a run of November tests.
With the Nations Cup designed to provide meaningful competition ahead of Australia 2027, Spain and Portugal can build combinations, test their depth and show that their progress extends beyond the club game.
