Rugby Union’s brand-spanking-new international competition, the Rugby Nations Championship, continues this weekend.
RUGBY NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP TIPS
- Argentina +10 (10/11)
- South Africa -25 (10/11)
- New Zealand -10 (10/11)
- Japan (5/1)
- France -24 (10/11)
- England -8 (10/11)
- Combined odds: 78.69/1
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Ireland v Argentina, Friday, 20:10, ITV1/Virgin Media One
Ireland begin their November campaign against an increasingly dangerous Argentina side in a fixture that promises a serious physical and tactical examination for Andy Farrell’s team.
Ireland finished the July Nations Championship series with two wins and one defeat:
- Beat Australia 33–31
- Beat Japan 36–20
- Lost to New Zealand 40–21
Argentina also had a mixed July campaign, beating Wales 35–21 but losing to Scotland and England. They subsequently drew 28–28 with Australia in September.
The stakes are significant: Ireland need a strong November series if they are to finish top of their hemisphere and qualify for the Grand Final.
Ireland’s injuries could be an issue, but getting players back has also put them in a solid position: Caelan Doris – injured, Jack Conan – injured, Jack Crowley – injured.
The key battles will come at breakdown time, and much of the game will depend on what Sam Prendergast can do at ten. Ireland will need lineouts to go to plan, and the scrum to work as they want it, but Argentina will see this as an opportunity to force their way into the game.
Prediction: Home advantage may just swing it for Ireland, but Argentina will have enough physicality to make it a decent contest.
Best Bet: Argentina +10 (10/11) – The margin looks quite high; I think it will be a little closer than that suggests.
Italy v South Africa, Saturday, 11:40, ITV1/Virgin Media One
Italy face a huge challenge as the reigning world champions, South Africa, arrive in Turin for the opening match of their November campaign.
South Africa enter November top of the Southern Hemisphere standings with 15 points from three victories.
Italy, meanwhile, are sixth in the Northern Hemisphere standings after losing all three of their July fixtures against Japan, New Zealand and Australia.
Siya Kolisi leads a largely settled Springboks starting XV, with South Africa selecting considerable experience for the trip to Italy. There is plenty of pace and power in the XV, and it should give Italy plenty to think about.
Italy, on the other hand, have an extensive injury list with the likes of Tommaso Menoncello, Sebastian Negri, Louis Lynagh and Juan Ignacio Brex all unavailable.
The key battle will be at scrum time; South Africa will look to dominate the set piece and put Italy under pressure. Italy must avoid conceding penalties and giving away easy territory. Italy do have potential on the counter-attack, but South Africa will have far too much for them.
Prediction: South Africa have pace, power and talent all over the field and will put Italy under pressure in all aspects of the game. If Kurt-Lee Arendse and Damian De Allende are at the top of their game, it could be a long 80 minutes for the home side.
Best Bet: South Africa -25 (10/11)
Scotland v New Zealand, Saturday, 14:10, ITV1/Virgin Media One
Scotland welcome the mighty All Blacks to Murrayfield in one of the standout fixtures of the November international programme.
Recent history shows that Scotland could cause a seismic upset, having pushed New Zealand all the way last November, only to lose 25-17.
Scotland are also in the hunt for a place at the Finals Weekend, having collected 11 points and sitting second in the Northern Hemisphere standings.
That makes this a significant fixture for both teams. Scotland need results against the Southern Hemisphere heavyweights, while New Zealand want to maintain their position at the top of their conference.
New Zealand have won all three of their July Nations Championship fixtures:
- Beat France 34–32.
- Beat Italy 47–17.
- Beat Ireland 40–21.
Scotland are also in the hunt for a place at the Finals Weekend, having collected 11 points and sitting second in the Northern Hemisphere standings.
Scotland have named a strong squad with plenty of experience throughout, whereas New Zealand will be without a couple of key players: Ardie Savea is out with a shoulder injury, and Ruben Love will also be missing. The return of Richie Mo’unga looks interesting, though, considering he could control a match, giving the All Blacks another option at fly-half.
Scotland will need to start aggressively if they are to cause a shock, and if they can get time in the New Zealand 22, then they will need to come away with scores. Scotland have never beaten New Zealand in a senior men’s international, and I don’t see it happening this weekend either. New Zealand always seem to find another gear.
Prediction: I can see Scotland pushing New Zealand, but the All Blacks will have too much in the final quarter for the home side.
Best Bet: New Zealand -10 (10/11)
Wales v Japan, Saturday, 16:40, ITV1/Virgin Media One
Wales return to Cardiff looking for a much-needed lift as they welcome Japan in the opening match of their November home campaign. Steve Tandy’s side have endured a difficult year, and this is a fixture they will view as an important opportunity to get their Nations Championship campaign back on track.
Japan, meanwhile, arrive under Eddie Jones with an ambitious, attacking style and growing confidence after winning the 2026 Pacific Nations Cup.
Wales finished their July campaign with one victory and two defeats:
- Beat Fiji 39–24.
- Lost to Argentina 21–35.
- Lost to South Africa 0–43.
Japan also recorded one victory and two defeats:
- Beat Italy 27–10.
- Lost to Ireland 20–36.
- Lost to France 15–42.
Japan have since won the Pacific Nations Cup and will arrive here full of confidence.
The key duels will be the forward battle, as Wales will look to assert their dominance, but Japan have attacking speed, and that could turn the game into a bit of a shootout. Japan have shown that they are dangerous, and this is a banana-skin fixture that Wales will not want to slip up on.
Wales won 24-23 when the sides met in 2025, and I can see this being a titanic tussle once again.
Prediction: This game will be a tussle and will go down to the wire. Japan come here in top form, and I can see them edging to victory and causing a minor upset.
Best Bet: Japan (5/1)
France v Fiji, Saturday, 20:10, ITV1/Virgin Media One
France welcome Fiji to Lyon in what promises to be one of the most entertaining fixtures of the November international programme.
Fabien Galthié’s side will be looking to continue their strong form after winning the 2026 Six Nations and recording two victories from their three July Nations Championship matches.
Fiji, meanwhile, are capable of producing spectacular attacking rugby and have the individual talent to trouble even the best international sides.
France have collected 12 points from their opening three Nations Championship matches and lead the Northern Hemisphere standings
- Lost to New Zealand 34–32.
- Beat Australia 42–26.
- Beat Japan 42–15.
France demonstrated their attacking quality throughout the series, scoring 116 points across those three fixtures.
Fiji have lost their opening three games against Wales, England and Scotland and will be put under immense pressure from start to finish here.
France do have a number of players out injured, including the likes of Jalibert, Ramos, Flament and Meafou, but the return of Dupont could be key. Louis Bielle-Biarrey will be hoping his try-scoring prowess can continue.
Fiji will look to use their pace and power but it may not be possible against a French side who have it all. If France open up an early lead, Fiji may have to push and thus leave space for France to exploit.
Prediction: In front of a large Lyon crowd, France will look to put on a show and I think they will have far too much for Fiji. Antoine Dupont can control the game and rack up a score for Les Bleus.
Best Bet: France -24 (10/11)
England v Australia, Sunday, 15:10, ITV1/Virgin Media One
England welcome Australia to Twickenham in a fascinating opening fixture to their November campaign.
Steve Borthwick’s side will be looking to build on an encouraging July series, while Australia arrive with plenty of confidence after a busy international season under Joe Schmidt.
England collected 10 championship points and currently sit third in the Northern Hemisphere standings, with two victories and one defeat from the opening three games.
Australia showed their attacking potential with a convincing victory over Italy, but their defeats against Ireland and France exposed some defensive weaknesses.
England have suffered a significant setback with the loss of scrum-half Alex Mitchell, who has sustained a hamstring injury while playing for Northampton Saints. For Australia, the return of Tupou and Hooper is particularly important. Australia will need their physical presence if they are to compete with England’s powerful forward pack.
The fly-half contest will be interesting, England have options with George Ford, Marcus Smith and Fin Smith all options whereas Australia will be hoping Carter Gordon can cause some carnage.
Prediction: It’s a game that could go either way, but with the home crowd behind them, I can see England shading it in the end.
Best Bet: England -8 (10/11)
RUGBY NATIONS CHAMPIONSHIP BEST BETS
- Argentina +10 (10/11)
- South Africa -25 (10/11)
- New Zealand -10 (10/11)
- Japan (5/1)
- France -24 (10/11)
- England -8 (10/11)
- Combined odds: 78.69/1
