Rugby union teams from different continents rarely meet in this time before air travel.

The first two notable tours had both taken place in 1888—the British Isles team touring New Zealand and Australia followed by the New Zealand team touring Europe.

The most prestigious tours will be the Southern Hemisphere countries of Australia, New Zealand and South Africa making a tour of a Northern Hemisphere, and the return tours made by a joint British and Irish team.

Tours last for months, due to long traveling times and the number of games undertaken; the 1888 New Zealand team had begun their tour in Hawkes Bay in June and do not complete their schedule until August 1889, having played one hundred and seven rugby matches.

Touring international sides will play Test matches against international opponents, including national, club and county sides in the case of Northern Hemisphere rugby, or provincial/state sides in the case of Southern Hemisphere rugby.