Six Nations tops the Rugby Championship in 2016

Ireland beat all the All Blacks, Wallabies and Springboks at least once in 2016. Photo / Brett Phibbs

Has there been a shift in rugby power towards the Northern Hemisphere? Just over a year ago all four Rugby Championship nations made up the semifinalists of the Rugby World Cup in England.

2016 however has been all about the Six Nations teams - to be more specific England and Ireland.

Six Nations and Rugby Championship teams clashed 27 times this year with the northern teams coming out on top 14-13 in the head-to-head.

The All Blacks were 6-1 against Six Nations sides this year with the only defeat of course coming against Ireland in Chicago. South Africa and Argentina shared the worst record against their northern counterparts, both winning just two of their six tests.

The Wallabies played eight tests against Six Nations sides in 2016 - winning three and losing five. Four of those defeats came against England who had a perfect record against Rugby Championship teams in 2016 - winning all six tests.

However the Six Nations champions didn't face the Rugby Championship winners with the All Blacks and England not set to play each other until 2018.

Ireland had the next best record beating the All Blacks, South Africa and the Wallabies at least once in 2016. However losing twice to South Africa earlier in the year, as well as a defeat in Dublin to the All Blacks, means the Irish finished 2016 with a 3-3 record against the Rugby Championship.

Wales, France and Italy all had losing records against Rugby Championship teams while Scotland had a narrow defeat to Australia along with a 19-16 win over Argentina.

Rugby Championship sides against Six Nations sides in 2016
All Blacks - Won 6 Lost 1
Australia - Won 3 Lost 5
South Africa - Won 2 Lost 4
Argentina - Won 2 Lost 4

Six Nations sides against Rugby Championship sides in 2016
England - Won 6 Lost 0
Ireland - Won 3 Lost 3
Wales - Won 2 Lost 4
France - Won 1 Lost 3
Scotland - Won 1 Lost 1
Italy - Won 1 Lost 2