[2] The new calendar also provided expanded Test opportunities for so-called "Tier 2" nations.
As part of this IRB initiative, another tradition returned – tours of the Pacific Islands by major nations.
Scotland became the first Tier 1 nation to play a Test in the Pacific Islands since 2006, visiting Fiji and Samoa.
[3] Also, Italy toured the Americas, claiming wins over Canada and the United States and a loss to Argentina.
Assistant referees: Peter Fitzgibbon (Ireland) Simon McDowell (Ireland) Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Keith Brown (New Zealand) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand) Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia) Assistant referees: Keith Brown (New Zealand) Garratt Williamson (New Zealand) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand) Assistant referees: Alain Rolland (Ireland) Simon McDowell (Ireland) Television match official: Iain Ramage (Scotland) Assistant referees: George Clancy (Ireland) Christie du Preez (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Assistant referees: Dave Pearson (England) Stuart Berry (South Africa) Assistant referees: Romain Poite (France) Pascal Gaüzère (France) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia) Assistant referees: Craig Joubert (South Africa) Garratt Williamson (New Zealand) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand) Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia) Andrew Lees (Australia) Assistant referees: Steve Walsh (Australia) Simon McDowell (Ireland) Television match official: Iain Ramage (Scotland) Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England) Christie du Preez (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Assistant referees: Jérôme Garcès (France) Dave Smortchevsky (Canada) Assistant referees: Ian Smith (Australia) Andrew Lees (Australia) Assistant referees: Jaco Peyper (South Africa) Jonathon White (New Zealand) Television match official: Vinny Munro (New Zealand) Assistant referees: Pascal Gauzere (France) James Leckie (Australia) Television match official: Matt Goddard (Australia) Assistant referees: Nigel Owens (Wales) John Lacey (Ireland) Television match official: Giulio De Santis (Italy) Assistant referees: Wayne Barnes (England) Christie du Preez (South Africa) Television match official: Shaun Veldsman (South Africa) Assistant referees: Stuart Berry (South Africa) Nick Ricono (United States) Assistant referees: Derek Stoltz (Canada) Marc Nelson (United States) Television match official: Dave Ardrey (United States)