The 2022 mid-year rugby union internationals (also known as the summer internationals in the Northern Hemisphere) were international rugby union matches that were mostly played in the Southern Hemisphere during the July international window. For the first time since 2018 all leading Northern Hemisphere teams toured, following a cancelled calendar in 2020 and a largely reversed calendar in 2021.
South Africa hosted Wales for a first three-test series, Wales travelling to South Africa for the first time since 2014; this was the first three-test series between the two sides. Also playing a first three-test series against their opposition were Scotland, who played Argentina in what was Argentina's first set of home games since 2019. New Zealand hosted Ireland for their first three-test series since 2012. Ireland also played two matches against the Māori All Blacks. France travelled to Japan for a two-test series, which was the first official tour of Japan for Les Bleus, having only ever toured as an XV side in 1984. Italy embarked on a tour of Europe, playing away to Portugal, Romania and Georgia, teams they had not played outside a competition environment since 2004. It was also Portugal's first match against a Six Nations country since the 2007 Rugby World Cup.
Several Tier-2 nations also toured, with Uruguay travelling to Japan for a two-test series before later hosting Romania for a two-test series. Spain and Belgium travelled to Canada, with Belgium touring outside a competition for the first time since playing Hong Kong in 2013.
This is the first time since 1996 that Portugal has hosted a Tier 1 nation in a full test match.
This was the first time an all-female officiating team was appointed to a men's international, and for a female official to officiate as referee a men's Six Nations team.
Quade Cooper (Australia) had been named to start but pulled up injured in the warm-up and was replaced by Noah Lolesio. James O'Connor replaced Lolesio on the bench.
Callum Botcher, Dawson Fatoric, Lindsey Stevens (all Canada), Marius Dehoust, Noé Finfe, Joachim Piérart and Lucas Rassinfosse (all Belgium) made their international debuts.
This was the first time that Canada have hosted Belgium.
This was Canada's largest winning margin over Belgium, surpassing the 31-point difference set in 2010.
Tomás Cubelli (Argentina) had been named to start but withdrew ahead of the game and was replaced by Gonzalo Bertranou, who was replaced by Juan Imhoff on the bench.
Joel Sclavi (Argentina) made his international debut.
This was Argentina's first win over Scotland since 2011, and their first home win over the Scots since 2008.
This was Argentina's first home game since they played South Africa in August 2019, nearly 3 years ago (1,057 days since their last home game)
Jack Willis was originally named among the England substitutes, but pulled out prior to the match due to a rib injury. He was replaced on the bench by Will Joseph.
New Zealand's Scott Barrett (starting XV) and Aidan Ross had both been named in the team, but withdrew from the team ahead of kick-off. Akira Ioane replaced Barrett in the starting XV with Tupou Vaa'i joining the bench, whilst Karl Tu'inukuafe replaced Ross.
Roger Tuivasa-Sheck (New Zealand) made his international debut, making him the fourth person to represent New Zealand in rugby union after having previously represented them in Rugby League.
Rieko Ioane (New Zealand) earned his 50th test cap.
Ireland win their first test series in New Zealand.
This is the first time since 1994, and just the fifth in history, that New Zealand have lost a home test series.
This the first time since 1998 that New Zealand have lost back-to-back home test matches.
This is the first time that Ireland have won back-to-back matches against New Zealand.
With this win, Ireland claim top spot in the World Rugby Rankings for the first time since 2019.
Taulupe Faletau was originally named to start for Wales, but pulled out during the warm-up. He was replaced in the starting line-up by Josh Navidi, whose place in the bench was taken by Taine Basham.
Gareth Anscombe was originally named on the bench for Wales, but pulled out during the warm-up. His place was taken by Rhys Patchell.
Eben Etzebeth (South Africa) earned his 100th test cap.
