They include traditional summer tours by European nations to countries in the southern hemisphere, North America or Japan, as well as shorter international trips and one-off test matches.
The Pacific Islanders (made up of Fiji, Tonga and Samoa players) played Australia, New Zealand and South Africa once each, losing all 3 matches.
Notes: This was the first time since 1973, and only the second in the past 50 years, that none of the Home nations, or the British & Irish Lions, toured the southern hemisphere in the summer.
Australia hosted Wales, playing their first three-test home series since the visit of the Lions in 2001, and winning 3-0.
Argentina hosted France, drawing a two-test series 1-1, and Italy, who they defeated in a single test.
After their Pacific Nations Cup games, Japan played two home matches against the French Barbarians, losing both.
However, England, Ireland, Uruguay, Argentina, and South Africa did opt to play uncapped matches to assist their World Cup preparations.
Because of the 2019 Rugby World Cup, no test series took place between the Home Unions (England, Ireland, Scotland and Wales) and the SANZAAR nations (South Africa, New Zealand and Australia and Argentina).